😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,584 in Hastings versus $971 in Veliko Tarnovo.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,526 in Hastings versus $1,528 in Veliko Tarnovo.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,467 in Hastings versus $2,085 in Veliko Tarnovo.
🌍Living in Hastings is roughly 166% more expensive than in Veliko Tarnovo, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Hastings is 93% above, Veliko Tarnovo is 27% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hastings
Veliko Tarnovo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.14£14.97
$10.37BGN 17.25
94.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.7£58.5
$40.59BGN 67.5
93.87%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.53£8.57
$9.09BGN 15.11
26.84%
Cappuccino
$4.49£3.34
$1.87BGN 3.10
140.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.69£2.00
$1.38BGN 2.29
94.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33£0.99
$0.66BGN 1.10
101.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.95£5.16
$1.93BGN 3.22
260.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.62£4.92
$2.99BGN 4.97
121.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hastings
Veliko Tarnovo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.70£0.52
$1.68BGN 2.80
-58.33%
White Bread(500g)
$1.37£1.02
$0.91BGN 1.51
50.55%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.69£2.00
$1.97BGN 3.28
36.55%
Eggs
$3.30£2.45
$3.28BGN 5.46
0.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.54£7.09
$9.50BGN 15.80
0.42%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.37£6.97
$7.88BGN 13.10
18.91%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.72£10.20
$11.50BGN 19.14
19.30%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32£1.73
$1.65BGN 2.75
40.61%
Banana(1kg)
$1.62£1.21
$2.06BGN 3.42
-21.36%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.38£1.77
$2.01BGN 3.35
18.41%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.47£2.58
$2.49BGN 4.14
39.36%
Potato(1kg)
$1.83£1.36
$1.20BGN 2.00
52.50%
Onion(1kg)
$1.21£0.90
$1.35BGN 2.25
-10.37%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.94£0.70
$1.01BGN 1.67
-6.93%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.31£1.72
$0.80BGN 1.32
188.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$17.34£12.89
$3.58BGN 5.95
384.36%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.51£4.84
$6.64BGN 11.04
-1.96%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.89£2.15
$0.95BGN 1.58
204.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.36£2.49
$1.61BGN 2.68
108.70%
🚌 Getting Around
Hastings
Veliko Tarnovo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.67£1.98
$0.86BGN 1.43
210.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$91.2£67.8
$34.46BGN 57.3
164.57%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.16£3.84
$1.21BGN 2.01
326.45%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.74£1.29
$0.62BGN 1.02
180.65%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$41.35£30.74
$11.97BGN 19.91
245.45%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.88£1.40
$1.56BGN 2.60
20.51%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.2K£15.0K
$32.0KBGN 53.3K
-36.94%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.1K£24.6K
$26.1KBGN 43.4K
26.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hastings
Veliko Tarnovo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$340£253
$93.9BGN 156
261.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.36£13.65
$16.63BGN 27.67
10.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.60£20.52
$13.38BGN 22.26
106.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hastings
Veliko Tarnovo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.98£33.44
$35.95BGN 59.8
25.12%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$47.08£35.00
$21.78BGN 36.24
116.16%
Cinema Ticket
$11.99£8.91
$7.00BGN 11.65
71.29%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hastings
Veliko Tarnovo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,559£1,159
$233BGN 388
569.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$18.1K£13.4K
$4,168BGN 6,934
333.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hastings
Veliko Tarnovo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$80.0£59.4
$43.83BGN 72.9
82.41%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.49£30.84
$29.93BGN 49.78
38.62%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117£87.2
$82.4BGN 137
42.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145£108
$71.5BGN 119
103.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hastings
Veliko Tarnovo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,520£1,130
$364BGN 606
317.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,278£950
$254BGN 422
403.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,006£1,491
$577BGN 960
247.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,509£1,122
$435BGN 724
246.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$13.5K£10.0K
$2,514BGN 4,182
435.86%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,388BGN 2,309
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hastings
Veliko Tarnovo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,300£2,453
$923BGN 1,536
257.39%
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: July 11, 2026
Last update for Veliko Tarnovo: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,520 in Hastings and $364 in Veliko Tarnovo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Hastings pays 257% 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 $283 vs $232 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 in Veliko Tarnovo?
Hastings and Veliko Tarnovo differ by about 166% in total monthly costs ($2,584 vs $971 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?
Average pay runs 257% higher in Hastings, 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 in Veliko Tarnovo?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,520 in Hastings versus $364 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 $2,584 per month in Hastings versus $971 in Veliko Tarnovo – a 166% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Hastings and in Veliko Tarnovo?
A monthly transit pass in Veliko Tarnovo runs roughly 165% 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 $971 in Veliko Tarnovo versus $2,584 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 166% less than in Hastings. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.