Cost of Living Comparison Between Manta and Bihac Cost of Living Comparison Between Manta and Bihac

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $907 in Manta versus $983 in Bihac.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,515 in Manta versus $1,455 in Bihac.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,123 in Manta versus $1,927 in Bihac.

Living in Manta costs roughly 8% less than in Bihac, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Manta 32% lower, Bihac 26% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manta
Bihac
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.45 $3.45
$7.26 BAM 12.41
-52.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.60 $45.60
$29.94 BAM 51.2
52.30%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.20 $7.20
$5.57 BAM 9.52
29.26%
Cappuccino
$2.49 $2.49
$1.20 BAM 2.06
107.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86 $0.86
$1.15 BAM 1.96
-25.22%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.62 $0.62
$0.89 BAM 1.52
-30.34%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.79 $1.79
$1.50 BAM 2.56
19.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97 $2.97
$1.81 BAM 3.09
64.09%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manta
Bihac
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$1.38 BAM 2.36
-21.74%
White Bread (500g)
$1.76 $1.76
$1.05 BAM 1.79
67.62%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$2.30 BAM 3.94
-25.65%
Eggs
$2.48 $2.48
$2.80 BAM 4.80
-11.43%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.97 $5.97
$10.08 BAM 17.25
-40.77%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.15 $5.15
$7.41 BAM 12.67
-30.50%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.35 $6.35
$11.20 BAM 19.16
-43.30%
Apples (1kg)
$2.10 $2.10
$1.82 BAM 3.11
15.38%
Banana (1kg)
$1.05 $1.05
$1.69 BAM 2.89
-37.87%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.06 $1.06
$1.91 BAM 3.27
-44.50%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.05 $1.05
$2.03 BAM 3.48
-48.28%
Potato (1kg)
$1.01 $1.01
$1.19 BAM 2.04
-15.13%
Onion (1kg)
$1.39 $1.39
$1.45 BAM 2.47
-4.14%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.74 $0.74
$0.96 BAM 1.65
-22.92%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.99 $0.99
$0.91 BAM 1.56
8.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.04 $6.04
$3.60 BAM 6.15
67.78%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.87 $6.87
$8.15 BAM 13.94
-15.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.25 BAM 2.13
21.60%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 $2.05
$2.08 BAM 3.55
-1.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Manta
Bihac
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.36 $0.36
$1.76 BAM 3.01
-79.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$24.28 $24.28
$35.05 BAM 59.9
-30.73%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.72 $1.72
$1.21 BAM 2.07
42.15%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.97 $1.97
$0.82 BAM 1.40
140.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.78 $9.78
$10.75 BAM 18.39
-9.02%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.67 $0.67
$1.48 BAM 2.53
-54.73%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.7K $19.7K
$23.6K BAM 40.4K
-16.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.4K $24.4K
$25.9K BAM 44.3K
-5.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manta
Bihac
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$37.03 $37.03
$205 BAM 350
-81.89%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.08 $12.08
$18.94 BAM 32.40
-36.22%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.30 $31.30
$21.90 BAM 37.46
42.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manta
Bihac
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$39.29 $39.29
$29.93 BAM 51.2
31.27%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.52 $14.52
$10.82 BAM 18.50
34.20%
Cinema Ticket
$7.06 $7.06
$5.71 BAM 9.76
23.64%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manta
Bihac
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$232 $232
$146 BAM 250
58.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,910 $5,910
$2,926 BAM 5,005
101.97%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manta
Bihac
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.4 $51.4
$29.42 BAM 50.3
74.61%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.77 $42.77
$17.60 BAM 30.11
143.01%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$104 $104
$99.6 BAM 170
4.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.1 $90.1
$118 BAM 201
-23.46%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manta
Bihac
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$460 $460
$223 BAM 381
106.30%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$339 $339
$210 BAM 359
61.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$480 $480
$308 BAM 527
55.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$767 $767
$284 BAM 487
169.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$1,486 BAM 2,542
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,316 BAM 2,250
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manta
Bihac
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$475 $475
$773 BAM 1,323
-38.63%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.35
4.14
125.85%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Manta: July 12, 2026

Last update for Bihac: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $460 in Manta and $223 in Bihac. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Bihac pays 63% 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: $46.00 in Manta vs $30.00 in Bihac. Groceries flip the comparison at $180 vs $231, with Manta 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
Manta vs Bihac: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Manta and in Bihac?
Manta and Bihac differ by about 8% in total monthly costs ($907 vs $983 including rent). Manta is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 63% lower in Bihac. 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 Manta and in Bihac?
Rent for a central apartment: $460 in Manta versus $223 in Bihac. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Manta – a meal for two runs $46.00 versus $30.00 in Bihac. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Manta or Bihac?
All in, you'll spend $907 per month in Manta versus $983 in Bihac – a 8% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $907 in Manta versus $983 in Bihac, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Manta but tight or insufficient in Bihac. The gap between the two cities makes Manta the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Manta and Bihac?
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 Manta or Bihac safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Manta and Bihac 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: Manta or Bihac?
Expats usually find Manta gentler on the wallet – expenses run 8% less than in Bihac. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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