😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,409 in Novi Sad versus $1,042 in Smederevo.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,118 in Novi Sad versus $1,522 in Smederevo.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,827 in Novi Sad versus $2,002 in Smederevo.
🌍Living in Novi Sad is roughly 35% more expensive than in Smederevo, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Novi Sad is 6% above, Smederevo is 22% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Novi Sad
Smederevo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.92RSD 1,008
$7.30RSD 741
35.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.72RSD 5,049
$30.01RSD 3,048
65.68%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.06RSD 1,123
$8.24RSD 837
34.22%
Cappuccino
$2.29RSD 232
$1.74RSD 177
31.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11RSD 214
$1.80RSD 183
17.22%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65RSD 168
$1.21RSD 123
36.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.92RSD 296
$2.29RSD 232
27.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.82RSD 388
$2.74RSD 278
39.42%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Novi Sad
Smederevo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.63RSD 165
$1.35RSD 137
20.74%
White Bread(500g)
$1.00RSD 102
$0.67RSD 68.1
49.25%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.80RSD 285
$1.87RSD 189
49.73%
Eggs
$2.61RSD 265
$2.52RSD 256
3.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.09RSD 1,228
$7.75RSD 787
56.00%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.04RSD 715
$6.80RSD 691
3.53%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.75RSD 1,295
$11.61RSD 1,179
9.82%
Apples(1kg)
$1.29RSD 131
$1.19RSD 121
8.40%
Banana(1kg)
$1.86RSD 189
$1.72RSD 175
8.14%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.62RSD 164
$1.51RSD 154
7.28%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.42RSD 246
$1.36RSD 138
77.94%
Potato(1kg)
$0.99RSD 100
$0.94RSD 95.7
5.32%
Onion(1kg)
$0.90RSD 91.4
$1.14RSD 116
-21.05%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.76RSD 76.8
$0.58RSD 59.1
31.03%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68RSD 69.5
$0.62RSD 62.8
9.68%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53RSD 460
$4.07RSD 413
11.30%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.77RSD 789
$5.54RSD 563
40.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.91RSD 92.4
$0.76RSD 76.7
19.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16RSD 220
$1.06RSD 108
103.77%
🚌 Getting Around
Novi Sad
Smederevo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.02RSD 104
$0.83RSD 84.1
22.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$24.76RSD 2,515
$27.65RSD 2,808
-10.45%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.89RSD 192
$1.00RSD 102
89.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.63RSD 64.1
$0.45RSD 45.70
40.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.37RSD 951
$4.84RSD 492
93.60%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.89RSD 192
$1.77RSD 180
6.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.0KRSD 3.2M
$31.0KRSD 3.2M
-0.00%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.7KRSD 2.9M
$27.4KRSD 2.8M
4.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Novi Sad
Smederevo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$204RSD 20.7K
$142RSD 14.5K
43.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.16RSD 2,048
$17.01RSD 1,727
18.52%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.14RSD 3,569
$22.58RSD 2,293
55.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Novi Sad
Smederevo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.63RSD 3,720
$30.04RSD 3,051
21.94%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.91RSD 1,413
$16.77RSD 1,703
-17.05%
Cinema Ticket
$6.18RSD 628
$4.92RSD 500
25.61%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Novi Sad
Smederevo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$343RSD 34.8K
$235RSD 23.9K
46.00%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,290RSD 740.3K
$5,086RSD 516.5K
43.33%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Novi Sad
Smederevo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$109RSD 11.1K
$90.7RSD 9,211
20.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.11RSD 4,682
$46.51RSD 4,724
-0.86%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$122RSD 12.4K
$96.8RSD 9,829
26.33%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$137RSD 13.9K
$101RSD 10.3K
34.97%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Novi Sad
Smederevo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$555RSD 56.4K
$368RSD 37.4K
50.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$453RSD 46.1K
$299RSD 30.4K
51.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,067RSD 108.3K
$560RSD 56.9K
90.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$767RSD 77.9K
$419RSD 42.6K
82.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,770RSD 382.9K
$2,180RSD 221.4K
72.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,671RSD 271.2K
$1,331RSD 135.2K
100.64%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Novi Sad
Smederevo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,056RSD 107.2K
-
-
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: June 15, 2026
Last update for Smederevo: June 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $555 in Novi Sad and $368 in Smederevo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $50.0 in Novi Sad vs $30.00 in Smederevo for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $234 vs $191 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 35% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $2,114 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: $555 in Novi Sad versus $368 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 $30.00 versus $50.0 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 $1,409 per month in Novi Sad versus $1,042 in Smederevo – a 35% 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 $1,409 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 35% less than in Novi Sad. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.