๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,395 in Kaลกtela versus $1,738 in Zagreb.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,164 in Kaลกtela versus $2,574 in Zagreb.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,932 in Kaลกtela versus $3,409 in Zagreb.
๐Living in Kaลกtela costs roughly 20% less than in Zagreb, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Both cities are pricier than the global median: Kaลกtela4% above, Zagreb30% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Kaลกtela
Zagreb
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.28โฌ14.00
$11.78โฌ10.13
38.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.7โฌ69.4
$69.1โฌ59.5
16.70%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.51โฌ8.18
$9.49โฌ8.16
0.21%
Cappuccino
$2.81โฌ2.42
$2.43โฌ2.09
15.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.56โฌ3.06
$3.16โฌ2.72
12.66%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64โฌ2.27
$2.36โฌ2.03
11.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.60โฌ3.96
$3.67โฌ3.16
25.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.74โฌ3.22
$4.67โฌ4.01
-19.91%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Kaลกtela
Zagreb
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38โฌ1.19
$1.35โฌ1.16
2.22%
White Bread(500g)
$1.55โฌ1.33
$1.87โฌ1.61
-17.11%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.03โฌ2.61
$2.66โฌ2.28
13.91%
Eggs
$3.81โฌ3.27
$3.65โฌ3.14
4.38%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.59โฌ8.25
$10.88โฌ9.36
-11.86%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.76โฌ8.40
$9.92โฌ8.54
-1.61%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.55โฌ10.80
$12.72โฌ10.94
-1.34%
Apples(1kg)
$1.69โฌ1.46
$1.88โฌ1.62
-10.11%
Banana(1kg)
$1.65โฌ1.42
$1.66โฌ1.43
-0.60%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.12โฌ1.82
$1.98โฌ1.71
7.07%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.36โฌ2.03
$3.06โฌ2.64
-22.88%
Potato(1kg)
$1.51โฌ1.30
$1.44โฌ1.24
4.86%
Onion(1kg)
$1.45โฌ1.25
$1.47โฌ1.26
-1.36%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.42โฌ1.22
$1.30โฌ1.12
9.23%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.26โฌ1.08
$1.29โฌ1.11
-2.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.74โฌ4.94
$5.76โฌ4.96
-0.35%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.34โฌ6.31
$9.49โฌ8.16
-22.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37โฌ1.18
$1.84โฌ1.58
-25.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18โฌ1.01
$2.30โฌ1.98
-48.70%
๐ Getting Around
Kaลกtela
Zagreb
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.33โฌ2.00
$0.64โฌ0.55
264.06%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$37.76โฌ32.48
$57.0โฌ49.05
-33.78%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.44โฌ2.96
$2.28โฌ1.96
50.88%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.04โฌ1.76
$1.07โฌ0.92
90.65%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.29โฌ7.99
$10.12โฌ8.70
-8.20%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.70โฌ1.47
$1.79โฌ1.54
-5.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.5Kโฌ33.1K
$35.1Kโฌ30.2K
9.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6Kโฌ22.9K
$26.2Kโฌ22.5K
1.68%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kaลกtela
Zagreb
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$184โฌ158
$208โฌ179
-11.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.06โฌ20.69
$20.19โฌ17.37
19.17%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.56โฌ21.99
$32.82โฌ28.23
-22.12%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Kaลกtela
Zagreb
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.6โฌ50.4
$50.7โฌ43.58
15.65%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.59โฌ12.55
$14.47โฌ12.44
0.83%
Cinema Ticket
$9.29โฌ7.99
$8.85โฌ7.61
4.97%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Kaลกtela
Zagreb
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$187โฌ161
$501โฌ431
-62.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,402โฌ1,206
$13.3Kโฌ11.4K
-89.43%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Kaลกtela
Zagreb
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$83.5โฌ71.8
$98.3โฌ84.5
-15.06%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.96โฌ24.05
$39.43โฌ33.92
-29.09%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$107โฌ92.2
$98.2โฌ84.5
9.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104โฌ89.4
$117โฌ100
-10.89%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Kaลกtela
Zagreb
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$481โฌ414
$873โฌ751
-44.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$346โฌ298
$662โฌ569
-47.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$619โฌ532
$1,467โฌ1,262
-57.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$554โฌ476
$1,079โฌ928
-48.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,420โฌ2,942
$5,268โฌ4,531
-35.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,463โฌ2,118
$3,255โฌ2,800
-24.35%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Kaลกtela
Zagreb
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$926โฌ797
$1,886โฌ1,623
-50.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.35
3.72
16.94%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kaลกtela: May 31, 2026
Last update for Zagreb: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $481 in Kaลกtela and $873 in Zagreb. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐZagreb pays 104% 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 Zagreb. Groceries flip the comparison at $263 vs $281, 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 Zagreb: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Kaลกtela and Zagreb?
Kaลกtela and Zagreb differ by about 25% in total monthly costs ($1,395 vs $1,738 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, Zagreb earns 104% 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 Zagreb?
Rent for a central apartment: $481 in Kaลกtela versus $873 in Zagreb. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Kaลกtela and Zagreb?
A monthly transit pass in Kaลกtela runs roughly 51% less than in Zagreb. 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 Zagreb?
Childcare runs $187 in Kaลกtela versus $501 in Zagreb. 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 $1,395 in Kaลกtela versus $1,738 in Zagreb, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Kaลกtela but tight or insufficient in Zagreb. 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 Zagreb?
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 Zagreb safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Kaลกtela and Zagreb 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 Zagreb?
Expats usually find Kaลกtela gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 25% less than in Zagreb. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.