Cost of Living Comparison Between Novi Sad and Belgrade Cost of Living Comparison Between Novi Sad and Belgrade

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,468 per month in Novi Sad vs $1,641 in Belgrade, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,245 per month in Novi Sad vs $2,474 in Belgrade, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,021 per month in Novi Sad vs $3,307 in Belgrade, rent included.

Novi Sad is about 11% cheaper than Belgrade, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Novi Sad and Belgrade sit above the global median – Novi Sad by 7%, Belgrade by 19%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.43 RSD 1,055

$13.70 RSD 1,384

-23.87%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$52.1 RSD 5,267

$60.1 RSD 6,074

-13.29%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.85 RSD 1,299

$13.52 RSD 1,366

-4.96%

Cappuccino

$2.71 RSD 274

$3.32 RSD 335

-18.37%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 RSD 250

$2.82 RSD 285

-12.41%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.90 RSD 192

$2.46 RSD 248

-22.76%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.99 RSD 302

$3.61 RSD 364

-17.17%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.04 RSD 408

Milk (1 liter)

$1.45 RSD 147

$1.50 RSD 152

-3.33%

White Bread (500g)

$1.03 RSD 104

$1.15 RSD 116

-10.43%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.84 RSD 287

$2.90 RSD 293

-2.07%

Eggs

$2.71 RSD 274

$2.80 RSD 283

-3.21%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.12 RSD 1,427

$11.67 RSD 1,179

20.99%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.54 RSD 762

$7.29 RSD 737

3.43%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.42 RSD 1,458

$16.46 RSD 1,664

-12.39%

Apples (1kg)

$1.83 RSD 185

$1.76 RSD 178

3.98%

Banana (1kg)

$2.02 RSD 204

$1.89 RSD 191

6.88%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.69 RSD 171

$2.03 RSD 205

-16.75%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.75 RSD 278

$3.25 RSD 328

-15.38%

Potato (1kg)

$1.04 RSD 105

$0.98 RSD 98.7

6.12%

Onion (1kg)

$0.71 RSD 71.7

$0.70 RSD 70.7

1.43%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.99 RSD 100

$0.83 RSD 84.2

19.28%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 RSD 72.9

$0.74 RSD 74.4

-2.70%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.83 RSD 488

$4.67 RSD 472

3.43%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.08 RSD 817

$10.17 RSD 1,028

-20.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.97 RSD 97.7

$0.90 RSD 91.3

7.78%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 RSD 239

$1.57 RSD 159

50.32%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.01 RSD 102

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$25.60 RSD 2,587

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.42 RSD 245

$3.08 RSD 311

-21.43%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.96 RSD 96.9

$1.06 RSD 107

-9.43%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.92 RSD 1,104

$18.08 RSD 1,828

-39.60%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.85 RSD 187

$1.96 RSD 198

-5.61%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$31.1K RSD 3.1M

$32.0K RSD 3.2M

-2.63%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.8K RSD 2.7M

$24.9K RSD 2.5M

7.75%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$240 RSD 24.2K

$219 RSD 22.2K

9.42%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$20.60 RSD 2,082

$27.31 RSD 2,760

-24.57%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$35.23 RSD 3,561

$36.82 RSD 3,722

-4.32%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.86 RSD 3,927

$42.32 RSD 4,277

-8.18%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.59 RSD 1,171

$23.99 RSD 2,425

-51.69%

Cinema Ticket

$7.51 RSD 759

$8.73 RSD 883

-13.97%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$376 RSD 38.0K

$431 RSD 43.6K

-12.78%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,932 RSD 801.7K

$11.6K RSD 1.2M

-31.48%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$126 RSD 12.7K

$115 RSD 11.6K

9.21%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.45 RSD 4,594

$47.98 RSD 4,849

-5.27%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$144 RSD 14.5K

$122 RSD 12.3K

17.78%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$143 RSD 14.5K

$165 RSD 16.7K

-13.37%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$513 RSD 51.8K

$874 RSD 88.3K

-41.33%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$425 RSD 42.9K

$587 RSD 59.4K

-27.71%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,010 RSD 102.1K

$1,585 RSD 160.2K

-36.27%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$810 RSD 81.8K

$1,009 RSD 102.0K

-19.75%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,740 RSD 378.0K

$5,705 RSD 576.6K

-34.44%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,733 RSD 276.2K

$3,249 RSD 328.3K

-15.89%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,246 RSD 126.0K

$1,229 RSD 124.3K

1.38%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.23

4.64

12.72%

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

Last update for Novi Sad: September 1, 2026

Last update for Belgrade: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $513 in Novi Sad versus $874 in Belgrade. 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 1% higher in Novi Sad, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $52.0 in Novi Sad versus $60.0 in Belgrade. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $255 vs $259 – making Novi Sad 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

Novi Sad vs Belgrade: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,468 in Novi Sad, $1,641 in Belgrade – roughly 12% apart. Belgrade costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,202 per month in Novi Sad and $2,461 in Belgrade. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Novi Sad, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $52.0 in Novi Sad and $60.0 in Belgrade. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 2% more in Belgrade, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Novi Sad, where all-in costs run around $1,468, than in Belgrade at $1,641. In Novi Sad it covers expenses comfortably, while in Belgrade it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Novi Sad – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Novi Sad. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Belgrade makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.