🙂A single person spends $918 per month in Maglaj vs $1,206 in Sarajevo, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,417 per month in Maglaj vs $1,811 in Sarajevo, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,916 per month in Maglaj vs $2,416 in Sarajevo, rent included.
🙂Maglaj is about 24% cheaper than Sarajevo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Maglaj and Sarajevo are more affordable than the global median – Maglaj31% lower, Sarajevo10% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Maglaj
Sarajevo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.94BAM 11.65
$7.21BAM 12.11
-3.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.95BAM 58.7
$35.65BAM 59.9
-1.96%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.68BAM 9.54
$8.96BAM 15.05
-36.61%
Cappuccino
$1.74BAM 2.93
$2.04BAM 3.42
-14.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85BAM 3.11
$2.01BAM 3.38
-7.96%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.16BAM 1.94
$1.42BAM 2.38
-18.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.38BAM 4.00
$2.69BAM 4.52
-11.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11BAM 3.54
$2.32BAM 3.90
-9.05%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Maglaj
Sarajevo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.35BAM 2.27
$1.43BAM 2.40
-5.59%
White Bread(500g)
$1.01BAM 1.70
$1.21BAM 2.03
-16.53%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.79BAM 3.00
$2.08BAM 3.50
-13.94%
Eggs
$2.86BAM 4.80
$3.24BAM 5.45
-11.73%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.52BAM 12.63
$10.29BAM 17.29
-26.92%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.11BAM 11.94
$8.86BAM 14.88
-19.75%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.84BAM 16.53
$13.44BAM 22.58
-26.79%
Apples(1kg)
$1.20BAM 2.02
$1.55BAM 2.60
-22.58%
Banana(1kg)
$1.68BAM 2.83
$1.87BAM 3.15
-10.16%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.75BAM 2.93
$2.05BAM 3.44
-14.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.81BAM 3.04
$2.29BAM 3.84
-20.96%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17BAM 1.96
$1.12BAM 1.88
4.46%
Onion(1kg)
$1.20BAM 2.02
$1.20BAM 2.02
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.98BAM 1.64
$1.22BAM 2.06
-19.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90BAM 1.52
$0.76BAM 1.27
18.42%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.44BAM 5.79
$3.76BAM 6.33
-8.51%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.24BAM 12.17
$8.33BAM 13.99
-13.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20BAM 2.02
$1.04BAM 1.75
15.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15BAM 1.93
$1.31BAM 2.21
-12.21%
🚌 Getting Around
Maglaj
Sarajevo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.85BAM 3.11
$1.08BAM 1.82
71.30%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$35.43BAM 59.5
$31.31BAM 52.6
13.16%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.75BAM 2.95
$1.44BAM 2.42
21.53%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.16BAM 1.95
$0.78BAM 1.31
48.72%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.81BAM 18.16
$9.08BAM 15.25
19.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.49BAM 2.51
$1.52BAM 2.55
-1.97%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.9KBAM 40.2K
$26.7KBAM 44.9K
-10.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8KBAM 43.4K
$25.9KBAM 43.5K
-0.31%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Maglaj
Sarajevo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$123BAM 206
$197BAM 331
-37.59%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.70BAM 31.42
$19.00BAM 31.92
-1.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.79BAM 48.36
$33.37BAM 56.1
-13.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Maglaj
Sarajevo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$29.57BAM 49.69
$35.64BAM 59.9
-17.03%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.82BAM 18.18
$16.44BAM 27.62
-34.18%
Cinema Ticket
$4.60BAM 7.73
$6.94BAM 11.67
-33.72%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Maglaj
Sarajevo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$152BAM 256
$255BAM 428
-40.20%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,316BAM 5,571
$3,323BAM 5,583
-0.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Maglaj
Sarajevo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.5BAM 118
$91.3BAM 153
-22.83%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.67BAM 59.9
$36.66BAM 61.6
-2.70%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.8BAM 168
$108BAM 182
-7.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119BAM 200
$99.9BAM 168
19.23%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Maglaj
Sarajevo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$257BAM 432
$432BAM 726
-40.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$169BAM 285
$313BAM 526
-45.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$370BAM 622
$877BAM 1,474
-57.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$314BAM 527
$600BAM 1,008
-47.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,591BAM 4,354
$3,430BAM 5,762
-24.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,813BAM 3,046
$2,383BAM 4,003
-23.91%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Maglaj
Sarajevo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$772BAM 1,297
$1,064BAM 1,788
-27.48%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.14
3.8
8.95%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Maglaj: June 2, 2026
Last update for Sarajevo: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $257 in Maglaj versus $432 in Sarajevo. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 38% higher in Sarajevo, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $35.00 in Maglaj versus $36.00 in Sarajevo. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $205 vs $246 – making Maglaj the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Maglaj vs Sarajevo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Maglaj and Sarajevo compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $918 in Maglaj, $1,206 in Sarajevo – roughly 31% apart. Sarajevo costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Maglaj compared to Sarajevo?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,377 per month in Maglaj and $1,808 in Sarajevo. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Maglaj and Sarajevo?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Maglaj, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 20% more in Sarajevo, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $35.00 in Maglaj and $36.00 in Sarajevo. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Maglaj, where all-in costs run around $918, than in Sarajevo at $1,206. In Maglaj it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sarajevo it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Maglaj and Sarajevo?
It depends on your priorities. Sarajevo has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $918 in Maglaj to $1,206 in Sarajevo. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Maglaj or Sarajevo safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Maglaj and Sarajevo?
If budget matters most, go with Maglaj. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sarajevo makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.