😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,306 in Kolasin versus $1,300 in Podgorica.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,942 in Kolasin versus $2,005 in Podgorica.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,577 in Kolasin versus $2,710 in Podgorica.
😐Living in Kolasin is roughly 1% more expensive than Podgorica, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Kolasin3% lower, Podgorica3% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kolasin
Podgorica
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.71€4.87
$9.76€8.33
-41.50%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.36€25.04
$45.48€38.79
-35.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.62€8.20
$9.28€7.92
3.66%
Cappuccino
$1.49€1.27
$2.12€1.81
-29.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.87€1.59
$2.35€2.01
-20.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.19€1.02
$1.39€1.18
-14.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.93€2.50
$2.96€2.52
-1.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87€2.45
$3.48€2.97
-17.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kolasin
Podgorica
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.39€1.18
$1.36€1.16
2.21%
White Bread(500g)
$1.13€0.97
$1.03€0.88
9.71%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.84€1.57
$2.37€2.02
-22.36%
Eggs
$3.60€3.07
$3.23€2.76
11.46%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.08€11.15
$8.74€7.45
49.66%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.27€6.20
$8.05€6.87
-9.69%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.50€8.10
$12.17€10.39
-21.94%
Apples(1kg)
$2.16€1.84
$1.53€1.31
41.18%
Banana(1kg)
$2.33€1.98
$1.81€1.55
28.73%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.86€1.58
$1.67€1.42
11.38%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.51€3.00
$2.49€2.13
40.96%
Potato(1kg)
$1.82€1.55
$0.96€0.82
89.58%
Onion(1kg)
$1.13€0.96
$1.11€0.95
1.80%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.95€1.67
$1.91€1.63
2.09%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.49€1.28
$0.79€0.68
88.61%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.93€3.35
$4.14€3.53
-5.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.62€3.94
$5.97€5.10
-22.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.58€1.35
$1.09€0.93
44.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13€1.82
$1.81€1.55
17.68%
🚌 Getting Around
Kolasin
Podgorica
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.46€1.25
$1.05€0.90
39.05%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$37.59€32.06
$34.74€29.63
8.20%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.13€0.96
$0.67€0.57
68.66%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.01€0.86
$0.70€0.60
44.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.64€9.93
$11.76€10.03
-1.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.76€1.50
$1.75€1.49
0.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.8K€25.4K
$28.8K€24.6K
3.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.8K€24.6K
$33.0K€28.2K
-12.72%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kolasin
Podgorica
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$91.1€77.7
$113€96.8
-19.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.55€14.97
$18.45€15.74
-4.88%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.55€24.35
$32.49€27.71
-12.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kolasin
Podgorica
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.49€37.95
$44.66€38.09
-0.38%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.52€12.38
$13.77€11.74
5.45%
Cinema Ticket
$3.45€2.95
$5.96€5.09
-42.11%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kolasin
Podgorica
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$291€248
$289€247
0.58%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,359€6,277
$7,340€6,261
0.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kolasin
Podgorica
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.71€19.37
$82.6€70.4
-72.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.10€32.50
$44.63€38.07
-14.63%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$120€102
$93.7€79.9
27.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$128€109
$112€95.6
14.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kolasin
Podgorica
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$708€604
$630€538
12.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$531€453
$490€418
8.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,270€1,083
$1,159€989
9.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$916€781
$864€737
6.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,818€3,256
$3,087€2,634
23.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,584€2,204
$2,282€1,946
13.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kolasin
Podgorica
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$921€786
$1,170€998
-21.29%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.38
5.73
-6.11%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kolasin: April 22, 2026
Last update for Podgorica: April 19, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $708 in Kolasin and $630 in Podgorica. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Podgorica pays 27% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $29 in Kolasin vs $45 in Podgorica. Groceries flip the comparison at $256 vs $230, with Podgorica 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
Kolasin vs Podgorica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Kolasin and Podgorica?
Kolasin and Podgorica differ by about 1% in total monthly costs ($1,306 vs $1,300 including rent). Podgorica is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Podgorica earns 27% 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 Kolasin and Podgorica?
Rent for a central apartment: $708 in Kolasin versus $630 in Podgorica. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Kolasin or Podgorica?
All in, you'll spend $1,306 per month in Kolasin versus $1,300 in Podgorica – a 1% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Kolasin and Podgorica?
A monthly transit pass in Podgorica runs roughly 8% less than in Kolasin. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,300 in Podgorica versus $1,306 in Kolasin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Podgorica but tight or insufficient in Kolasin. The gap between the two cities makes Podgorica the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Kolasin and Podgorica?
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 Kolasin or Podgorica safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Kolasin and Podgorica 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: Kolasin or Podgorica?
Expats usually find Podgorica gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1% less than in Kolasin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.