Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States

For one person, living is cheaper in Bosnia and Herzegovina: $1,020 a month against $2,734 in the United States, rent and utilities included – about $20,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Bosnia and Herzegovina
United States
🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina
$1,020
/mo nomad
🇺🇸 United States
$2,734
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the United States

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the United States actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,020 in Bosnia and Herzegovina versus $2,734 in the United States.

  • Bosnia and Herzegovina $1,020
  • United States $2,734

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,531 in Bosnia and Herzegovina versus $3,985 in the United States.

  • Bosnia and Herzegovina $1,531
  • United States $3,985

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,041 in Bosnia and Herzegovina versus $5,235 in the United States.

  • Bosnia and Herzegovina $2,041
  • United States $5,235

Internal cost variation is higher in the United States: monthly costs span $979 to $5,160, compared to $774–$1,212 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. City choice carries more weight in the United States.

Living in Bosnia and Herzegovina costs about 63% less than in the United States on average.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (25% below) and the United States (101% above) straddle the global median.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bosnia and Herzegovina
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.93 BAM 12.17
$20.03 $20.03
-65.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.04 BAM 59.8
$80.0 $80.0
-57.47%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.33 BAM 12.87
$11.80 $11.80
-37.88%
Cappuccino
$1.70 BAM 2.98
$5.55 $5.55
-69.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.89 BAM 3.32
$2.66 $2.66
-28.95%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.32 BAM 2.31
$2.17 $2.17
-39.17%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.30 BAM 4.05
$6.12 $6.12
-62.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36 BAM 4.14
$7.94 $7.94
-70.28%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bosnia and Herzegovina
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.28 BAM 2.25
$1.04 $1.04
23.08%
White Bread (500g)
$1.09 BAM 1.91
$3.59 $3.59
-69.64%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.86 BAM 3.27
$4.52 $4.52
-58.85%
Eggs
$2.71 BAM 4.76
$4.28 $4.28
-36.68%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.44 BAM 14.83
$13.22 $13.22
-36.16%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.57 BAM 13.29
$12.60 $12.60
-39.92%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.40 BAM 21.77
$17.60 $17.60
-29.55%
Apples (1kg)
$1.34 BAM 2.36
$5.30 $5.30
-74.72%
Banana (1kg)
$1.68 BAM 2.96
$1.69 $1.69
-0.59%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.59 BAM 2.79
$4.44 $4.44
-64.19%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.87 BAM 3.28
$4.77 $4.77
-60.80%
Potato (1kg)
$1.02 BAM 1.80
$2.97 $2.97
-65.66%
Onion (1kg)
$1.20 BAM 2.11
$3.15 $3.15
-61.90%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.08 BAM 1.90
$2.20 $2.20
-50.91%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77 BAM 1.36
$2.35 $2.35
-67.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.69 BAM 6.48
$10.98 $10.98
-66.39%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.26 BAM 12.75
$15.05 $15.05
-51.76%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.88 BAM 1.54
$2.06 $2.06
-57.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30 BAM 2.29
$3.79 $3.79
-65.70%
🚌 Getting Around
Bosnia and Herzegovina
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.29 BAM 2.26
$1.94 $1.94
-33.51%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$34.72 BAM 61.0
$59.4 $59.4
-41.54%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.40 BAM 2.46
$3.58 $3.58
-60.89%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.11 BAM 1.95
$1.88 $1.88
-40.96%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.49 BAM 18.43
$29.84 $29.84
-64.85%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.62 BAM 2.84
$1.02 $1.02
58.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.6K BAM 52.0K
$28.8K $28.8K
2.89%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.3K BAM 39.2K
$26.2K $26.2K
-14.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bosnia and Herzegovina
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$163 BAM 286
$218 $218
-25.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.10 BAM 30.02
$62.5 $62.5
-72.63%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.96 BAM 47.35
$74.5 $74.5
-63.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bosnia and Herzegovina
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$33.94 BAM 59.6
$41.86 $41.86
-18.92%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.14 BAM 24.84
$22.81 $22.81
-38.01%
Cinema Ticket
$5.69 BAM 10.00
$14.70 $14.70
-61.29%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bosnia and Herzegovina
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$209 BAM 368
$1,489 $1,489
-85.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,851 BAM 6,763
$25.3K $25.3K
-84.75%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bosnia and Herzegovina
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.6 BAM 122
$54.3 $54.3
28.03%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.85 BAM 57.7
$42.71 $42.71
-23.09%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.2 BAM 167
$94.1 $94.1
1.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106 BAM 187
$114 $114
-6.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bosnia and Herzegovina
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$316 BAM 555
$1,659 $1,659
-80.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$242 BAM 424
$1,348 $1,348
-82.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$560 BAM 984
$2,682 $2,682
-79.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$387 BAM 680
$2,169 $2,169
-82.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,275 BAM 3,995
$3,283 $3,283
-30.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,727 BAM 3,033
$2,482 $2,482
-30.41%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bosnia and Herzegovina
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$817 BAM 1,435
$4,296 $4,296
-80.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.46
6.55
-31.91%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Bosnia and Herzegovina: October 25, 2026

Last update for the United States: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Bosnia and Herzegovina
$242
United States
$1.3K 458% $1.1K
Groceries & Markets
Bosnia and Herzegovina
$215
United States
$415 92.8% $200
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bosnia and Herzegovina
$207
United States
$355 71.5% $148
Clothing & Footwear
Bosnia and Herzegovina
$137
United States
$137 0.2% $0.3
Eating Out
Bosnia and Herzegovina
$127
United States
$328 159% $201
Getting Around
Bosnia and Herzegovina
$47
United States
$80 71.1% $33
Sport & Entertainment
Bosnia and Herzegovina
$45
United States
$71 57.3% $26

Cost Breakdown

National rent averages: $281 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, $1,620 in the United States. Capital cities: $434 in Sarajevo vs $2,768 in Washington, DC.

National salary averages: $717 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, $4,549 in the United States. Higher pay doesn’t always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 477% higher in the United States.

Dining out costs 121% more in the United States.

Public transport is 75% more expensive in the United States.

Salaries are about 6.3 times higher in the United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in the United States.

Good to know
🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina
🇺🇸 United States
🕒 Local time
05:35 5:35 AM
00:35 12:35 AM
5 h behind Bosnia and Herzegovina
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
3,816,459
340,110,988
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to BAM – Bosnia and Herzegovina Convertible Mark Converter

Bosnia and Herzegovina Convertible Mark exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 1.76 BAM (1 BAM = 0.569 USD). 1 EUR = 1.96 BAM (1 BAM = 0.511 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.11 USD (1 USD = 0.897 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina United States 8,410 km ≈ 11 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • United States

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the cost of living in Bosnia and Herzegovina compare to the cost in the United States?
At $1,020 per month in Bosnia and Herzegovina and $2,734 in the United States, there’s a 168% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
How do daily expenses compare in Bosnia and Herzegovina vs the United States?
Day-to-day life is cheaper in Bosnia and Herzegovina: lower grocery prices, cheaper commutes, and more affordable meals out. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
Is rent more expensive in Bosnia and Herzegovina or in the United States?
Rent for a central one-bedroom averages $1,620 in the United States and $281 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Rents vary a lot between cities, so the gap depends on where you settle.
Which country is better for expats: Bosnia and Herzegovina or the United States?
It depends on what you’re after: Bosnia and Herzegovina wins on affordability; the United States may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs other spots: cost of living compared

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