For one person, living is cheaper in Oyo: $626 a month against $1,594 in Sofia, rent and utilities included – about $11,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Oyo and in Sofia actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $626 in Oyo versus $1,594 in Sofia.
Oyo $626
Sofia $1,594
Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,161 in Oyo versus $2,478 in Sofia.
Oyo $1,161
Sofia $2,478
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,695 in Oyo versus $3,361 in Sofia.
Oyo $1,695
Sofia $3,361
🌍
Living in Oyo costs roughly 61% less than in Sofia, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.
📊
The two cities straddle the global median: Oyo is 54% below, Sofia is 18% above.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Oyo
Sofia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.72₦4,947
$16.87BGN 29.35
-77.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.8₦67.5K
$65.8BGN 115
-22.87%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.48₦9,946
$11.32BGN 19.69
-33.92%
Cappuccino
$2.79₦3,711
$3.43BGN 5.98
-18.66%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40₦536
$2.41BGN 4.19
-83.40%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.12₦166
$1.85BGN 3.22
-93.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.39₦520
$3.70BGN 6.44
-89.46%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51₦677
$4.58BGN 7.97
-88.86%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Oyo
Sofia
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.08₦4,090
$2.02BGN 3.51
52.48%
White Bread(500g)
$0.52₦691
$1.56BGN 2.72
-66.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.89₦1,182
$2.33BGN 4.05
-61.80%
Eggs
$2.25₦2,994
$4.36BGN 7.59
-48.39%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.61₦4,799
$11.76BGN 20.47
-69.30%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.88₦5,167
$8.83BGN 15.37
-56.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.54₦6,035
$17.46BGN 30.38
-74.00%
Apples(1kg)
$1.65₦2,189
$2.15BGN 3.74
-23.26%
Banana(1kg)
$1.28₦1,703
$1.98BGN 3.44
-35.35%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.14₦1,519
$1.93BGN 3.37
-40.93%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.29₦1,714
$4.24BGN 7.37
-69.58%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32₦1,754
$1.04BGN 1.80
26.92%
Onion(1kg)
$1.35₦1,792
$0.85BGN 1.48
58.82%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89₦1,181
$1.15BGN 2.00
-22.61%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.31₦417
$0.89BGN 1.56
-65.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$0.55₦731
$4.21BGN 7.33
-86.94%
Wine(Bottle)
$2.52₦3,350
$7.46BGN 12.98
-66.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.36₦484
$1.15BGN 2.01
-68.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49₦656
$1.85BGN 3.23
-73.51%
🚌 Getting Around
Oyo
Sofia
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.37₦488
$0.87BGN 1.51
-57.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.98₦19.9K
$28.53BGN 49.65
-47.49%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.67₦891
$1.68BGN 2.93
-60.12%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.92₦1,222
$0.94BGN 1.63
-2.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.24₦2,982
$15.35BGN 26.70
-85.41%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.82₦1,096
$1.69BGN 2.94
-51.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.4K₦15.1M
$29.8KBGN 51.9K
-61.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$13.9K₦18.4M
$26.1KBGN 45.5K
-46.98%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Oyo
Sofia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$14.96₦19.9K
$156BGN 272
-90.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.73₦19.6K
$21.56BGN 37.52
-31.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.32₦44.3K
$15.24BGN 26.51
118.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Oyo
Sofia
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$14.81₦19.7K
$46.08BGN 80.2
-67.86%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.69₦6,235
$27.92BGN 48.58
-83.20%
Cinema Ticket
$6.19₦8,230
$10.18BGN 17.72
-39.19%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Oyo
Sofia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$658₦875.1K
$774BGN 1,347
-15.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$19.9K₦26.5M
$12.8KBGN 22.3K
55.63%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Oyo
Sofia
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$6.07₦8,075
$89.9BGN 157
-93.25%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$17.88₦23.8K
$41.29BGN 71.8
-56.70%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$14.98₦19.9K
$105BGN 183
-85.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$10.71₦14.2K
$107BGN 186
-89.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Oyo
Sofia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$432₦574.1K
$783BGN 1,362
-44.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$260₦345.9K
$597BGN 1,038
-56.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,111₦1.5M
$1,516BGN 2,638
-26.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$689₦916.8K
$1,030BGN 1,792
-33.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$751₦998.8K
$4,350BGN 7,568
-82.74%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$187₦249.1K
$3,177BGN 5,528
-94.11%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Oyo
Sofia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$33.32₦44.3K
$1,735BGN 3,019
-98.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10
2.89
246.02%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Oyo: October 10, 2026
Last update for Sofia: October 13, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🏠Accommodation & Living
Oyo
$260 41.5%
Sofia
$597 37.4% ↑ 130%$337
🛒Groceries & Markets
Oyo
$141 22.5%
Sofia
$290 18.2% ↑ 106%$149
🍽Eating Out
Oyo
$91 14.5%
Sofia
$255 16% ↑ 181%$164
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Oyo
$63 10.1%
Sofia
$193 12.1% ↑ 206%$130
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Oyo
$27 4.3%
Sofia
$66 4.2% ↑ 145%$39
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Oyo
$22 3.6%
Sofia
$154 9.7% ↑ 591%$132
🚌Getting Around
Oyo
$22 3.5%
Sofia
$38 2.4% ↑ 76.8%$17
🏠Accommodation & Living
Oyo
$689 40.7%
Sofia
$1K 30.6% ↑ 49.4%$341
🛒Groceries & Markets
Oyo
$342 20.2%
Sofia
$689 20.5% ↑ 102%$347
🍽Eating Out
Oyo
$433 25.6%
Sofia
$845 25.2% ↑ 95%$412
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Oyo
$78 4.6%
Sofia
$214 6.4% ↑ 176%$137
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Oyo
$59 3.5%
Sofia
$161 4.8% ↑ 172%$102
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Oyo
$50 2.9%
Sofia
$343 10.2% ↑ 591%$293
🚌Getting Around
Oyo
$44 2.6%
Sofia
$78 2.3% ↑ 77.7%$34
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $432 in Oyo and $783 in Sofia. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Sofia pays 5108% 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: $51.0 in Oyo vs $66.0 in Sofia for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $141 vs $290 per month, with Oyo cheaper across the board.
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
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
Oyo vs Sofia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sofia cheaper than Oyo?
Oyo is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and leisure. The 155% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Oyo or Sofia?
On paper, salaries run 5108% lower in Sofia. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Oyo and Sofia?
Rent for a central apartment: $432 in Oyo versus $783 in Sofia. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Oyo or in Sofia?
Dining out is cheaper in Oyo – a meal for two runs $51.0 versus $66.0 in Sofia. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Oyo and in Sofia?
All in, you'll spend $626 per month in Oyo versus $1,594 in Sofia – a 155% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Oyo or in Sofia?
At $626 in Oyo versus $1,594 in Sofia, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Oyo but tight or insufficient in Sofia. The gap between the two cities makes Oyo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Oyo or Sofia more family-friendly?
For families, Oyo is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Sofia, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Oyo or Sofia?
Safety-wise, Oyo and Sofia 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 Oyo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 155% less than in Sofia. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.