😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,639 in Hastings versus $952 in Veliko Tarnovo.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,540 in Hastings versus $1,535 in Veliko Tarnovo.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,442 in Hastings versus $2,118 in Veliko Tarnovo.
😐Living in Hastings is roughly 177% more expensive than Veliko Tarnovo, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Hastings is 97% above, Veliko Tarnovo is 29% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hastings
Veliko Tarnovo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.59£15.31
$10.28BGN 17.10
100.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.7£58.5
$41.04BGN 68.3
91.67%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.43£8.49
$8.77BGN 14.60
30.33%
Cappuccino
$4.48£3.33
$1.89BGN 3.14
137.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.67£1.99
$1.37BGN 2.27
94.89%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.34£0.99
$0.67BGN 1.11
100.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.93£5.15
$1.96BGN 3.26
253.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.71£4.98
$2.87BGN 4.78
133.80%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hastings
Veliko Tarnovo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.71£0.53
$1.63BGN 2.70
-56.44%
White Bread(500g)
$1.42£1.06
$0.95BGN 1.59
49.47%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.80£2.08
$1.87BGN 3.12
49.73%
Eggs
$3.34£2.48
$3.39BGN 5.64
-1.47%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.40£6.99
$9.61BGN 15.99
-2.19%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.28£6.90
$8.04BGN 13.38
15.42%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.35£9.92
$11.58BGN 19.26
15.28%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31£1.72
$1.64BGN 2.73
40.85%
Banana(1kg)
$1.60£1.19
$2.11BGN 3.50
-24.17%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.50£1.86
$1.97BGN 3.28
26.90%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.61£2.68
$2.56BGN 4.25
41.02%
Potato(1kg)
$1.82£1.36
$1.14BGN 1.90
59.65%
Onion(1kg)
$1.21£0.90
$1.30BGN 2.16
-6.92%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.99£0.74
$1.06BGN 1.76
-6.60%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.30£1.71
$0.77BGN 1.29
198.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$17.70£13.16
$3.56BGN 5.92
397.19%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.81£5.06
$6.96BGN 11.59
-2.16%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.93£2.18
$0.96BGN 1.59
205.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.37£2.51
$1.68BGN 2.80
100.60%
🚌 Getting Around
Hastings
Veliko Tarnovo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.68£1.99
$0.89BGN 1.49
201.12%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$89.5£66.6
$33.54BGN 55.8
166.94%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.12£3.80
$1.17BGN 1.95
337.61%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.67£1.24
$0.63BGN 1.05
165.08%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$40.01£29.74
$11.58BGN 19.26
245.51%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.94£1.44
$1.49BGN 2.47
30.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.4K£15.1K
$32.7KBGN 54.5K
-37.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.1K£24.6K
$25.8KBGN 42.9K
28.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hastings
Veliko Tarnovo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$334£248
$93.7BGN 156
256.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.87£14.02
$16.56BGN 27.56
13.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.88£19.98
$13.12BGN 21.83
104.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hastings
Veliko Tarnovo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.31£34.42
$36.02BGN 59.9
28.57%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$47.76£35.50
$22.08BGN 36.73
116.30%
Cinema Ticket
$12.37£9.19
$6.94BGN 11.54
78.24%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hastings
Veliko Tarnovo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,552£1,154
$232BGN 386
568.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$18.2K£13.5K
$4,137BGN 6,882
339.54%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hastings
Veliko Tarnovo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$81.5£60.6
$45.02BGN 74.9
80.94%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.86£30.37
$29.43BGN 48.96
38.84%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$119£88.4
$83.2BGN 138
42.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$148£110
$70.5BGN 117
110.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hastings
Veliko Tarnovo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,470£1,093
$360BGN 600
307.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,305£970
$261BGN 434
400.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,045£1,520
$572BGN 952
257.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,519£1,129
$433BGN 721
250.42%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$13.7K£10.2K
$2,499BGN 4,157
446.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,394BGN 2,320
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hastings
Veliko Tarnovo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,444£2,560
$957BGN 1,592
259.78%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.62
4.57
22.98%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hastings: May 30, 2026
Last update for Veliko Tarnovo: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,470 in Hastings and $360 in Veliko Tarnovo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Hastings pays 260% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $79.0 in Hastings vs $41.00 in Veliko Tarnovo for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $284 vs $234 per month, with Veliko Tarnovo cheaper across the board.
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
Hastings vs Veliko Tarnovo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Hastings and Veliko Tarnovo?
Hastings and Veliko Tarnovo differ by about 177% in total monthly costs ($2,639 vs $952 including rent). Veliko Tarnovo is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Hastings or Veliko Tarnovo?
Hastings pays 260% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Hastings and Veliko Tarnovo?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,470 in Hastings versus $360 in Veliko Tarnovo. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Hastings or Veliko Tarnovo?
All in, you'll spend $2,639 per month in Hastings versus $952 in Veliko Tarnovo – a 177% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Hastings and Veliko Tarnovo?
A monthly transit pass in Veliko Tarnovo runs roughly 167% less than in Hastings. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $952 in Veliko Tarnovo versus $2,639 in Hastings, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Veliko Tarnovo but tight or insufficient in Hastings. The gap between the two cities makes Veliko Tarnovo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Hastings and Veliko Tarnovo?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Hastings or Veliko Tarnovo safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Hastings and Veliko Tarnovo are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Hastings or Veliko Tarnovo?
Expats usually find Veliko Tarnovo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 177% less than in Hastings. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.