😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,392 in Novi Sad versus $1,042 in Smederevo.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,077 in Novi Sad versus $1,522 in Smederevo.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,763 in Novi Sad versus $2,002 in Smederevo.
🌍Living in Novi Sad is roughly 34% more expensive than in Smederevo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Novi Sad is 5% above, Smederevo is 22% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Novi Sad
Smederevo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.58RSD 975
$7.28RSD 740
31.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.59RSD 4,942
$29.20RSD 2,970
66.40%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.04RSD 1,123
$8.57RSD 871
28.82%
Cappuccino
$2.38RSD 242
$1.81RSD 184
31.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18RSD 222
$1.81RSD 184
20.44%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69RSD 172
$1.28RSD 130
32.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.90RSD 295
$2.31RSD 235
25.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.64RSD 371
$2.68RSD 273
35.82%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Novi Sad
Smederevo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.54RSD 157
$1.34RSD 136
14.93%
White Bread(500g)
$1.03RSD 105
$0.67RSD 67.7
53.73%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.69RSD 274
$1.86RSD 189
44.62%
Eggs
$2.58RSD 262
$2.52RSD 256
2.38%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.94RSD 1,214
$8.07RSD 821
47.96%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.05RSD 718
$6.71RSD 683
5.07%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.77RSD 1,299
$11.84RSD 1,204
7.85%
Apples(1kg)
$1.24RSD 126
$1.14RSD 116
8.77%
Banana(1kg)
$1.90RSD 193
$1.77RSD 180
7.34%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.64RSD 167
$1.52RSD 155
7.89%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.54RSD 258
$1.39RSD 141
82.73%
Potato(1kg)
$0.93RSD 94.2
$0.95RSD 96.9
-2.11%
Onion(1kg)
$0.88RSD 89.3
$1.13RSD 115
-22.12%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.80RSD 81.5
$0.55RSD 55.5
45.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.69RSD 69.9
$0.61RSD 62.3
13.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.33RSD 440
$3.99RSD 406
8.52%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.57RSD 770
$5.48RSD 557
38.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.86RSD 87.5
$0.76RSD 76.8
13.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22RSD 225
$1.11RSD 113
100.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Novi Sad
Smederevo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.04RSD 105
$0.80RSD 81.5
30.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$25.11RSD 2,553
$27.43RSD 2,789
-8.46%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.98RSD 201
$1.01RSD 103
96.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.67RSD 68.3
$0.46RSD 46.31
45.65%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.30RSD 946
$4.83RSD 491
92.55%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.82RSD 185
$1.81RSD 184
0.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.0KRSD 3.1M
$30.2KRSD 3.1M
2.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.9KRSD 2.9M
$26.7KRSD 2.7M
8.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Novi Sad
Smederevo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$208RSD 21.1K
$139RSD 14.1K
49.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.88RSD 2,022
$17.11RSD 1,740
16.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.00RSD 3,662
$22.11RSD 2,249
62.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Novi Sad
Smederevo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.49RSD 3,609
$31.14RSD 3,167
13.97%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.00RSD 1,424
$16.72RSD 1,701
-16.27%
Cinema Ticket
$6.24RSD 634
$4.80RSD 488
30.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Novi Sad
Smederevo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$339RSD 34.5K
$239RSD 24.3K
41.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,130RSD 725.1K
$5,161RSD 524.9K
38.14%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Novi Sad
Smederevo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$107RSD 10.9K
$91.3RSD 9,281
17.69%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.86RSD 4,664
$47.29RSD 4,810
-3.02%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$123RSD 12.5K
$95.7RSD 9,733
28.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$135RSD 13.8K
$100RSD 10.2K
34.92%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Novi Sad
Smederevo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$567RSD 57.6K
$379RSD 38.5K
49.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$457RSD 46.5K
$297RSD 30.2K
53.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,096RSD 111.5K
$573RSD 58.2K
91.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$790RSD 80.4K
$422RSD 42.9K
87.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,667RSD 372.9K
$2,285RSD 232.4K
60.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,713RSD 276.0K
$1,479RSD 150.4K
83.45%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Novi Sad
Smederevo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,063RSD 108.1K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.31
7.45
-1.88%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Novi Sad: July 27, 2026
Last update for Smederevo: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $567 in Novi Sad and $379 in Smederevo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $49.00 in Novi Sad vs $29.00 in Smederevo for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $233 vs $192 per month, with Smederevo cheaper across the board.
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 Smederevo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smederevo cheaper than Novi Sad?
Smederevo is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 34% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $2,088 in Novi Sad and $1,564 in Smederevo to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Novi Sad and Smederevo?
Rent for a central apartment: $567 in Novi Sad versus $379 in Smederevo. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Novi Sad or in Smederevo?
Dining out is cheaper in Smederevo – a meal for two runs $29.00 versus $49.00 in Novi Sad. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Novi Sad and in Smederevo?
All in, you'll spend $1,392 per month in Novi Sad versus $1,042 in Smederevo – a 34% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Novi Sad or in Smederevo?
At $1,042 in Smederevo versus $1,392 in Novi Sad, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Smederevo but tight or insufficient in Novi Sad. The gap between the two cities makes Smederevo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Novi Sad or in Smederevo?
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.
Which city is safer, Novi Sad or Smederevo?
Safety-wise, Novi Sad and Smederevo are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Smederevo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 34% less than in Novi Sad. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.