😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,304 in Perast versus $1,276 in Podgorica.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,977 in Perast versus $1,970 in Podgorica.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,649 in Perast versus $2,663 in Podgorica.
😐Living in Perast is roughly 2% more expensive than Podgorica, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Perast3% lower, Podgorica5% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Perast
Podgorica
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.81€8.51
$9.96€8.64
-1.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.69€39.60
$45.76€39.66
-0.15%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.47€8.21
$9.13€7.92
3.72%
Cappuccino
$2.05€1.78
$2.06€1.78
-0.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25€1.95
$2.34€2.03
-3.85%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43€1.24
$1.43€1.24
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.91€2.52
$2.97€2.57
-2.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.38€2.93
$3.48€3.02
-2.87%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Perast
Podgorica
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.31€1.13
$1.37€1.19
-4.38%
White Bread(500g)
$1.03€0.89
$1.03€0.89
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.77€1.53
$2.36€2.05
-25.00%
Eggs
$3.14€2.72
$3.08€2.67
1.95%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.70€7.54
$8.70€7.54
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.28€6.31
$7.93€6.87
-8.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.49€8.23
$11.82€10.24
-19.71%
Apples(1kg)
$1.50€1.30
$1.50€1.30
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.76€1.52
$1.74€1.51
1.15%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.69€1.46
$1.67€1.45
1.20%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.57€2.23
$2.46€2.13
4.47%
Potato(1kg)
$0.95€0.83
$1.02€0.88
-6.86%
Onion(1kg)
$1.15€1.00
$1.15€1.00
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.89€1.64
$1.95€1.69
-3.08%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.82€0.71
$0.81€0.70
1.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.10€3.55
$4.24€3.67
-3.30%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.67€4.05
$5.91€5.12
-20.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.08€0.94
$1.08€0.94
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86€1.61
$1.88€1.63
-1.06%
🚌 Getting Around
Perast
Podgorica
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.43€1.24
$1.03€0.89
38.83%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$36.88€31.96
$34.10€29.56
8.15%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.70€0.61
$0.66€0.57
6.06%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.70€0.61
$0.76€0.66
-7.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.36€9.85
$11.48€9.95
-1.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.68€1.46
$1.74€1.51
-3.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.6K€24.8K
$29.4K€25.5K
-2.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.2K€25.3K
$32.6K€28.3K
-10.40%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Perast
Podgorica
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$114€98.9
$114€98.5
0.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.98€15.58
$18.38€15.93
-2.18%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.08€27.80
$32.12€27.84
-0.12%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Perast
Podgorica
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.70€38.74
$45.06€39.06
-0.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.53€12.59
$13.84€11.99
4.99%
Cinema Ticket
$3.41€2.96
$5.84€5.06
-41.61%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Perast
Podgorica
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$286€248
$283€245
1.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,327€6,350
$7,472€6,476
-1.95%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Perast
Podgorica
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$23.42€20.30
$83.0€72.0
-71.79%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.37€33.25
$44.27€38.37
-13.33%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.1€80.7
$94.6€82.0
-1.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111€96.3
$113€98.0
-1.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Perast
Podgorica
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$729€632
$634€549
15.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$539€467
$490€424
10.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,259€1,091
$1,125€975
11.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$924€801
$837€725
10.47%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,753€3,253
$3,235€2,804
16.01%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,522€2,186
$2,356€2,042
7.03%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Perast
Podgorica
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$1,162€1,007
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.38
5.73
-6.11%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Perast: June 7, 2026
Last update for Podgorica: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $729 in Perast and $634 in Podgorica. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $46.00 in Perast vs $46.00 in Podgorica for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $213 vs $228 per month, with Perast 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
Perast vs Podgorica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Perast or Podgorica?
Podgorica wins on cost – living expenses run 2% lower than in Perast. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Podgorica the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Perast vs Podgorica?
You'd need roughly $1,956 in Perast and $1,914 in Podgorica 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.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Perast vs Podgorica?
Rent for a central apartment: $729 in Perast versus $634 in Podgorica. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Perast or Podgorica?
Shoppers in Perast pay roughly 7% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
How do dining costs compare in Perast vs Podgorica?
Dining out is cheaper in Podgorica – a meal for two runs $46.00 versus $46.00 in Perast. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Perast or Podgorica?
At $1,276 in Podgorica versus $1,304 in Perast, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Podgorica but tight or insufficient in Perast. The gap between the two cities makes Podgorica the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Perast or Podgorica?
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.
How safe is Perast compared to Podgorica?
Safety-wise, Perast and Podgorica 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Podgorica gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2% less than in Perast. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.