Cost of Living Comparison Between Nicosia and MarsaCost of Living Comparison Between Nicosia and Marsa
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $1,807 per month in Nicosia vs $3,035 in Marsa, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,890 per month in Nicosia vs $4,255 in Marsa, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $3,973 per month in Nicosia vs $5,475 in Marsa, rent included.
🙂Nicosia is about 40% cheaper than Marsa, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both Nicosia and Marsa sit above the global median – Nicosia by 35%, Marsa by 127%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nicosia
Marsa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.43€15.25
$20.92€18.30
-16.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.3€61.5
$95.0€83.2
-26.06%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.09€7.07
$11.52€10.07
-29.77%
Cappuccino
$3.80€3.33
$3.02€2.64
25.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51€1.32
$2.37€2.08
-36.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86€0.76
$2.21€1.93
-61.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.67€4.09
$4.61€4.03
1.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.63€4.93
$2.70€2.37
108.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nicosia
Marsa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.99€1.74
$1.36€1.19
46.32%
White Bread(500g)
$2.08€1.82
$1.25€1.09
66.40%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.89€2.53
$4.33€3.79
-33.26%
Eggs
$4.48€3.92
$4.66€4.08
-3.86%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.51€11.82
$10.24€8.96
31.93%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.40€8.22
$9.56€8.37
-1.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.49€10.93
$14.16€12.39
-11.79%
Apples(1kg)
$2.93€2.56
$4.41€3.86
-33.56%
Banana(1kg)
$2.04€1.78
$3.06€2.67
-33.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.19€1.91
$3.23€2.83
-32.20%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.20€2.80
$3.70€3.23
-13.51%
Potato(1kg)
$1.70€1.49
$2.50€2.19
-32.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.66€1.46
$1.30€1.14
27.69%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.80€0.70
$2.33€2.04
-65.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.05€0.92
$1.19€1.04
-11.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.81€5.09
$6.46€5.65
-10.06%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.83€6.85
$8.08€7.07
-3.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.03€1.77
$1.92€1.68
5.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07€2.69
$2.30€2.01
33.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Nicosia
Marsa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.76€2.41
$2.70€2.36
2.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$57.7€50.5
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.31€4.64
$5.76€5.04
-7.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.60€1.40
$3.69€3.23
-56.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$53.0€46.37
$48.30€42.26
9.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.64€1.44
$1.58€1.38
3.80%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3K€26.5K
$39.1K€34.2K
-22.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.2K€28.2K
$37.9K€33.2K
-15.09%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nicosia
Marsa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$217€190
$93.6€81.9
131.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.91€19.17
$27.94€24.45
-21.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.92€30.55
$45.62€39.91
-23.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nicosia
Marsa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$75.7€66.2
$64.9€56.8
16.63%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$30.13€26.36
$22.75€19.91
32.44%
Cinema Ticket
$11.69€10.23
$10.21€8.93
14.50%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nicosia
Marsa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$489€428
$420€368
16.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,438€7,382
$11.0K€9,630
-23.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nicosia
Marsa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$97.3€85.1
$90.1€78.8
8.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$63.3€55.4
$38.60€33.77
64.04%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.7€82.0
$104€91.2
-10.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$125€109
$99.6€87.2
25.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nicosia
Marsa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$786€688
$1,699€1,486
-53.72%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$636€556
$1,928€1,687
-67.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,555€1,361
$2,354€2,059
-33.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,281€1,121
$2,937€2,570
-56.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,107€2,718
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,308€2,019
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nicosia
Marsa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,855€1,623
$3,172€2,775
-41.51%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.8
4.27
12.41%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Nicosia: July 12, 2026
Last update for Marsa: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $786 in Nicosia versus $1,699 in Marsa. 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 71% higher in Marsa, 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 $70.0 in Nicosia versus $95.0 in Marsa. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $303 vs $319 – making Nicosia 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
Nicosia vs Marsa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marsa cheaper than Nicosia?
Yes – Marsa is pricier by about 68%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,710 per month in Nicosia and $4,552 in Marsa. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Nicosia, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Nicosia and in Marsa?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,807 in Nicosia and $3,035 in Marsa. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $489 per month in Nicosia and $420 in Marsa. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $3,000 a realistic budget for living in Nicosia or in Marsa?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Nicosia, where all-in costs run around $1,807, than in Marsa at $3,035. In Nicosia it covers expenses comfortably, while in Marsa it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Nicosia or Marsa more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Nicosia – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Nicosia or Marsa?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Nicosia. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Marsa makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.