๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,356 in Kaลกtela versus $1,594 in Rijeka.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,132 in Kaลกtela versus $2,390 in Rijeka.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,908 in Kaลกtela versus $3,186 in Rijeka.
๐Living in Kaลกtela costs roughly 15% less than in Rijeka, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Both cities are pricier than the global median: Kaลกtela1% above, Rijeka19% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Kaลกtela
Rijeka
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.04โฌ13.82
$12.97โฌ11.18
23.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.8โฌ69.6
$69.3โฌ59.7
16.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.12โฌ7.86
$10.61โฌ9.14
-14.04%
Cappuccino
$2.89โฌ2.49
$2.26โฌ1.95
27.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.40โฌ2.93
$3.64โฌ3.13
-6.59%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53โฌ2.18
$2.20โฌ1.89
15.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.51โฌ3.89
$4.39โฌ3.78
2.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.81โฌ3.28
$4.67โฌ4.02
-18.42%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Kaลกtela
Rijeka
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38โฌ1.19
$1.18โฌ1.02
16.95%
White Bread(500g)
$1.57โฌ1.36
$1.62โฌ1.40
-3.09%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.12โฌ2.69
$4.03โฌ3.48
-22.58%
Eggs
$3.92โฌ3.38
$3.45โฌ2.97
13.62%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.05โฌ8.66
$16.13โฌ13.90
-37.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.40โฌ8.10
$11.01โฌ9.48
-14.62%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.85โฌ11.07
$14.59โฌ12.57
-11.93%
Apples(1kg)
$1.79โฌ1.54
$1.62โฌ1.39
10.49%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70โฌ1.46
$1.67โฌ1.44
1.80%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.16โฌ1.86
$1.79โฌ1.54
20.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.27โฌ1.96
$2.59โฌ2.23
-12.36%
Potato(1kg)
$1.53โฌ1.32
$1.23โฌ1.06
24.39%
Onion(1kg)
$1.40โฌ1.20
$1.26โฌ1.09
11.11%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.36โฌ1.17
$1.09โฌ0.94
24.77%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.25โฌ1.08
$1.22โฌ1.05
2.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.85โฌ5.04
$5.94โฌ5.12
-1.52%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.51โฌ6.47
$8.11โฌ6.99
-7.40%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.34โฌ1.15
$1.60โฌ1.38
-16.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13โฌ0.97
$2.03โฌ1.75
-44.33%
๐ Getting Around
Kaลกtela
Rijeka
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.36โฌ2.03
$2.01โฌ1.73
17.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$37.44โฌ32.26
$54.6โฌ47.04
-31.43%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.54โฌ3.05
$5.91โฌ5.10
-40.10%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.12โฌ1.83
$1.38โฌ1.19
53.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.03โฌ7.78
$28.56โฌ24.61
-68.38%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.79โฌ1.54
$1.72โฌ1.48
4.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.4Kโฌ33.1K
$38.1Kโฌ32.8K
1.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6Kโฌ22.9K
$25.6Kโฌ22.1K
3.58%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kaลกtela
Rijeka
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$183โฌ158
$187โฌ161
-2.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.81โฌ20.52
$22.32โฌ19.23
6.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.04โฌ21.57
$32.92โฌ28.37
-23.94%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Kaลกtela
Rijeka
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.5โฌ50.4
$52.5โฌ45.19
11.48%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.43โฌ12.44
$14.87โฌ12.81
-2.96%
Cinema Ticket
$9.35โฌ8.06
$8.99โฌ7.75
4.00%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Kaลกtela
Rijeka
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$188โฌ162
$294โฌ253
-36.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,363โฌ1,174
$16.5Kโฌ14.2K
-91.74%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Kaลกtela
Rijeka
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.4โฌ71.0
$90.9โฌ78.4
-9.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.53โฌ24.58
$34.30โฌ29.56
-16.82%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$109โฌ93.5
$100โฌ86.4
8.26%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106โฌ91.2
$103โฌ89.0
2.48%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Kaลกtela
Rijeka
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$483โฌ416
$653โฌ563
-26.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$341โฌ293
$537โฌ462
-36.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$603โฌ519
$1,024โฌ882
-41.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$551โฌ475
$768โฌ661
-28.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,400โฌ2,929
$4,129โฌ3,558
-17.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,500โฌ2,154
$4,020โฌ3,464
-37.82%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Kaลกtela
Rijeka
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$888โฌ765
$1,550โฌ1,335
-42.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.35
4.63
-6.05%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kaลกtela: June 8, 2026
Last update for Rijeka: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $483 in Kaลกtela and $653 in Rijeka. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐRijeka pays 75% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
๐Dining out: $81.0 in Kaลกtela vs $69.0 in Rijeka. Groceries flip the comparison at $264 vs $297, with Kaลกtela cheaper for home cooking.
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
Kaลกtela vs Rijeka: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Kaลกtela and Rijeka?
Kaลกtela and Rijeka differ by about 18% in total monthly costs ($1,356 vs $1,594 including rent). Kaลกtela is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Rijeka earns 75% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Kaลกtela and Rijeka?
Rent for a central apartment: $483 in Kaลกtela versus $653 in Rijeka. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Kaลกtela and Rijeka?
A monthly transit pass in Kaลกtela runs roughly 46% less than in Rijeka. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Kaลกtela and Rijeka?
Childcare runs $188 in Kaลกtela versus $294 in Rijeka. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,356 in Kaลกtela versus $1,594 in Rijeka, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Kaลกtela but tight or insufficient in Rijeka. The gap between the two cities makes Kaลกtela the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Kaลกtela and Rijeka?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Kaลกtela or Rijeka safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Kaลกtela and Rijeka 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: Kaลกtela or Rijeka?
Expats usually find Kaลกtela gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 18% less than in Rijeka. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.