Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Plovdiv and Austin, TX

For one person, living is cheaper in Plovdiv: $1,212 a month against $2,704 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $17,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Plovdiv
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
$1,212
/mo nomad
Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,704
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Plovdiv and in Austin, TX

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Plovdiv and in Austin, TX actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,212 in Plovdiv versus $2,704 in Austin, TX.

  • Plovdiv $1,212
  • Austin, TX $2,704

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,850 in Plovdiv versus $4,133 in Austin, TX.

  • Plovdiv $1,850
  • Austin, TX $4,133

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,489 in Plovdiv versus $5,562 in Austin, TX.

  • Plovdiv $2,489
  • Austin, TX $5,562

Living in Plovdiv costs roughly 55% less than in Austin, TX, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Plovdiv is 10% below, Austin, TX is 102% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Plovdiv
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.12 BGN 15.96
$20.22 $20.22
-54.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.93 BGN 78.6
$85.0 $85.0
-47.16%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.39 BGN 16.43
$12.35 $12.35
-23.97%
Cappuccino
$2.78 BGN 4.86
$5.47 $5.47
-49.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77 BGN 3.09
$3.82 $3.82
-53.66%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 BGN 2.76
$2.50 $2.50
-36.80%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.53 BGN 4.43
$8.06 $8.06
-68.61%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.14 BGN 7.25
$8.99 $8.99
-53.95%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Plovdiv
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.76 BGN 3.07
$1.13 $1.13
55.75%
White Bread (500g)
$1.16 BGN 2.03
$3.78 $3.78
-69.31%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.24 BGN 3.93
$3.25 $3.25
-31.08%
Eggs
$3.64 BGN 6.37
$4.14 $4.14
-12.08%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.42 BGN 19.98
$13.08 $13.08
-12.69%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.46 BGN 14.81
$14.31 $14.31
-40.88%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.11 BGN 24.70
$15.96 $15.96
-11.59%
Apples (1kg)
$1.67 BGN 2.92
$4.38 $4.38
-61.87%
Banana (1kg)
$1.82 BGN 3.18
$1.45 $1.45
25.52%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.90 BGN 3.33
$4.54 $4.54
-58.15%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.58 BGN 4.51
$4.19 $4.19
-38.42%
Potato (1kg)
$1.04 BGN 1.83
$2.63 $2.63
-60.46%
Onion (1kg)
$1.06 BGN 1.85
$2.36 $2.36
-55.08%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.16 BGN 2.04
$1.76 $1.76
-34.09%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.73 BGN 1.27
$2.16 $2.16
-66.20%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.06 BGN 7.11
$9.81 $9.81
-58.61%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.17 BGN 10.79
$14.72 $14.72
-58.08%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.12 BGN 1.96
$2.78 $2.78
-59.71%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 BGN 3.56
$3.48 $3.48
-41.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Plovdiv
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.55 BGN 0.96
$1.49 $1.49
-63.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$28.99 BGN 50.7
$40.51 $40.51
-28.44%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.29 BGN 2.27
$2.67 $2.67
-51.69%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.61 BGN 1.06
$1.58 $1.58
-61.39%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.13 BGN 17.73
$35.29 $35.29
-71.29%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.70 BGN 2.98
$0.99 $0.99
71.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.0K BGN 52.4K
$35.8K $35.8K
-16.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.1K BGN 43.8K
$27.2K $27.2K
-7.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Plovdiv
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$114 BGN 200
$219 $219
-47.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.53 BGN 32.43
$58.0 $58.0
-68.05%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.25 BGN 26.69
$68.4 $68.4
-77.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Plovdiv
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$40.23 BGN 70.4
$57.9 $57.9
-30.52%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.30 BGN 35.52
$14.82 $14.82
36.98%
Cinema Ticket
$9.01 BGN 15.76
$14.13 $14.13
-36.23%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Plovdiv
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$515 BGN 901
$1,509 $1,509
-65.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,450 BGN 9,537
$21.5K $21.5K
-74.60%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Plovdiv
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.3 BGN 118
$51.7 $51.7
30.18%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.10 BGN 73.7
$44.05 $44.05
-4.43%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.0 BGN 168
$85.1 $85.1
12.86%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103 BGN 181
$105 $105
-1.75%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Plovdiv
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$530 BGN 928
$1,932 $1,932
-72.56%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$388 BGN 679
$1,272 $1,272
-69.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$878 BGN 1,536
$3,670 $3,670
-76.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$670 BGN 1,173
$2,525 $2,525
-73.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,226 BGN 3,896
$7,617 $7,617
-70.77%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,572 BGN 2,751
$3,199 $3,199
-50.87%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Plovdiv
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,161 BGN 2,032
$5,105 $5,105
-77.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.1
6.79
-54.34%

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

Last update for Plovdiv: October 6, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Plovdiv
$388
Austin, TX
$1.3K 228% $884
Groceries & Markets
Plovdiv
$252
Austin, TX
$403 59.9% $151
Eating Out
Plovdiv
$169
Austin, TX
$348 106% $179
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Plovdiv
$148
Austin, TX
$346 133% $197
Clothing & Footwear
Plovdiv
$139
Austin, TX
$129 7.4% $10
Sport & Entertainment
Plovdiv
$58
Austin, TX
$86 47.9% $28
Getting Around
Plovdiv
$36
Austin, TX
$57 60.5% $21

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $530 in Plovdiv and $1,932 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 340% 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: $45.00 in Plovdiv vs $85.0 in Austin, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $252 vs $403 per month, with Plovdiv cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇧🇬 Plovdiv
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🕒 Local time
10:06 10:06 AM
02:06 2:06 AM
8 h behind Plovdiv
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
368,983
974,447
💱 Currency
Bulgarian Lev BGN лв.
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to BGN – Bulgarian Lev Converter

Bulgarian Lev exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 1.75 BGN (1 BGN = 0.571 USD). 1 EUR = 1.96 BGN (1 BGN = 0.509 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Plovdiv Austin, TX 10,040 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Plovdiv
  • Austin, TX

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
Plovdiv vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Plovdiv or Austin, TX?
Plovdiv wins on cost – living expenses run 123% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Plovdiv the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Plovdiv or in Austin, TX?
On paper, salaries run 340% lower in Austin, TX. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Plovdiv compared to Austin, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $530 in Plovdiv versus $1,932 in Austin, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Plovdiv compared to Austin, TX?
All in, you'll spend $1,212 per month in Plovdiv versus $2,704 in Austin, TX – a 123% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Plovdiv compared to Austin, TX?
A monthly transit pass in Plovdiv runs roughly 40% less than in Austin, TX. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Plovdiv or in Austin, TX?
At $1,212 in Plovdiv versus $2,704 in Austin, TX, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Plovdiv but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Plovdiv the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Plovdiv or Austin, TX?
Both work as nomad bases, but Plovdiv delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,212 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Plovdiv hard to pass up.
How safe is Plovdiv compared to Austin, TX?
Safety-wise, Plovdiv and Austin, TX 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 Plovdiv gentler on the wallet – expenses run 123% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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