Cost of Living Comparison Between Neum and Sarajevo Cost of Living Comparison Between Neum and Sarajevo

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $954 in Neum versus $1,206 in Sarajevo.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,494 in Neum versus $1,811 in Sarajevo.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,035 in Neum versus $2,416 in Sarajevo.

Living in Neum costs roughly 21% less than in Sarajevo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Neum 29% lower, Sarajevo 10% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Neum
Sarajevo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.66 BAM 14.56
$7.21 BAM 12.11
20.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.82 BAM 70.3
$35.65 BAM 59.9
17.31%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.63 BAM 12.82
$8.96 BAM 15.05
-14.84%
Cappuccino
$1.65 BAM 2.77
$2.04 BAM 3.42
-19.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94 BAM 3.26
$2.01 BAM 3.38
-3.48%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.21 BAM 2.03
$1.42 BAM 2.38
-14.79%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.09 BAM 3.51
$2.69 BAM 4.52
-22.30%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81 BAM 4.72
$2.32 BAM 3.90
21.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Neum
Sarajevo
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.32 BAM 2.22
$1.43 BAM 2.40
-7.69%
White Bread (500g)
$1.23 BAM 2.07
$1.21 BAM 2.03
1.65%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.58 BAM 2.65
$2.08 BAM 3.50
-24.04%
Eggs
$3.01 BAM 5.05
$3.24 BAM 5.45
-7.10%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.60 BAM 16.12
$10.29 BAM 17.29
-6.71%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.75 BAM 14.71
$8.86 BAM 14.88
-1.24%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.61 BAM 19.50
$13.44 BAM 22.58
-13.62%
Apples (1kg)
$1.41 BAM 2.37
$1.55 BAM 2.60
-9.03%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 BAM 2.75
$1.87 BAM 3.15
-12.30%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.94 BAM 3.26
$2.05 BAM 3.44
-5.37%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.04 BAM 3.43
$2.29 BAM 3.84
-10.92%
Potato (1kg)
$1.15 BAM 1.94
$1.12 BAM 1.88
2.68%
Onion (1kg)
$1.11 BAM 1.86
$1.20 BAM 2.02
-7.50%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.21 BAM 2.04
$1.22 BAM 2.06
-0.82%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.73 BAM 1.23
$0.76 BAM 1.27
-3.95%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.63 BAM 6.10
$3.76 BAM 6.33
-3.46%
Wine (Bottle)
$4.06 BAM 6.81
$8.33 BAM 13.99
-51.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.76 BAM 1.28
$1.04 BAM 1.75
-26.92%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13 BAM 1.90
$1.31 BAM 2.21
-13.74%
🚌 Getting Around
Neum
Sarajevo
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.85 BAM 3.11
$1.08 BAM 1.82
71.30%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$34.69 BAM 58.3
$31.31 BAM 52.6
10.80%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.50 BAM 2.52
$1.44 BAM 2.42
4.17%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.10 BAM 1.84
$0.78 BAM 1.31
41.03%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.28 BAM 12.23
$9.08 BAM 15.25
-19.82%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.54 BAM 2.60
$1.52 BAM 2.55
1.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.1K BAM 48.8K
$26.7K BAM 44.9K
8.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K BAM 44.3K
$25.9K BAM 43.5K
1.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Neum
Sarajevo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$174 BAM 292
$197 BAM 331
-11.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.87 BAM 31.70
$19.00 BAM 31.92
-0.68%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.01 BAM 40.33
$33.37 BAM 56.1
-28.05%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Neum
Sarajevo
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$28.99 BAM 48.71
$35.64 BAM 59.9
-18.66%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.97 BAM 18.43
$16.44 BAM 27.62
-33.27%
Cinema Ticket
$4.81 BAM 8.08
$6.94 BAM 11.67
-30.69%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Neum
Sarajevo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$203 BAM 342
$255 BAM 428
-20.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,618 BAM 6,079
$3,323 BAM 5,583
8.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Neum
Sarajevo
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.6 BAM 117
$91.3 BAM 153
-23.80%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.84 BAM 60.2
$36.66 BAM 61.6
-2.24%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.3 BAM 150
$108 BAM 182
-17.66%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111 BAM 186
$99.9 BAM 168
10.64%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Neum
Sarajevo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$261 BAM 438
$432 BAM 726
-39.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$169 BAM 284
$313 BAM 526
-46.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$363 BAM 610
$877 BAM 1,474
-58.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$315 BAM 529
$600 BAM 1,008
-47.52%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,608 BAM 4,382
$3,430 BAM 5,762
-23.95%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,838 BAM 3,088
$2,383 BAM 4,003
-22.87%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Neum
Sarajevo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$882 BAM 1,482
$1,064 BAM 1,788
-17.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
2.9
3.8
-23.68%

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

Last update for Neum: May 31, 2026

Last update for Sarajevo: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $261 in Neum and $432 in Sarajevo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Sarajevo pays 21% 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: $42.00 in Neum vs $36.00 in Sarajevo. Groceries flip the comparison at $220 vs $246, with Neum 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
Neum vs Sarajevo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Neum and Sarajevo?
Neum and Sarajevo differ by about 26% in total monthly costs ($954 vs $1,206 including rent). Neum is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Sarajevo earns 21% 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 Neum and Sarajevo?
Rent for a central apartment: $261 in Neum versus $432 in Sarajevo. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Neum and Sarajevo?
A monthly transit pass in Neum runs roughly 11% less than in Sarajevo. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Neum and Sarajevo?
Childcare runs $203 in Neum versus $255 in Sarajevo. 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 $954 in Neum versus $1,206 in Sarajevo, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Neum but tight or insufficient in Sarajevo. The gap between the two cities makes Neum the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Neum and Sarajevo?
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 Neum or Sarajevo safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Neum and Sarajevo 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: Neum or Sarajevo?
Expats usually find Neum gentler on the wallet – expenses run 26% less than in Sarajevo. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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