Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Plovdiv and Svishtov

For one person, living is cheaper in Svishtov: $922 a month against $1,191 in Plovdiv, rent and utilities included – about $3,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Plovdiv
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
$1,191
/mo nomad
Svishtov
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
$922
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Plovdiv and in Svishtov

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 Svishtov actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,191 per month in Plovdiv vs $922 in Svishtov, rent included.

  • Plovdiv $1,191
  • Svishtov $922

A couple spends around $1,852 per month in Plovdiv vs $1,446 in Svishtov, rent included.

  • Plovdiv $1,852
  • Svishtov $1,446

A family of three spends $2,512 per month in Plovdiv vs $1,970 in Svishtov, rent included.

  • Plovdiv $2,512
  • Svishtov $1,970

Plovdiv costs about 29% more than Svishtov, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Plovdiv and Svishtov are more affordable than the global median – Plovdiv 12% lower, Svishtov 32% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Plovdiv
Svishtov
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.02 BGN 15.70
$13.56 BGN 23.60
-33.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.57 BGN 77.6
$44.77 BGN 77.9
-0.45%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.55 BGN 16.62
$8.61 BGN 14.99
10.92%
Cappuccino
$2.86 BGN 4.98
$2.30 BGN 4.01
24.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.78 BGN 3.09
$0.99 BGN 1.73
79.80%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51 BGN 2.62
$0.59 BGN 1.02
155.93%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.55 BGN 4.43
$1.69 BGN 2.95
50.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.34 BGN 7.55
$2.83 BGN 4.93
53.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Plovdiv
Svishtov
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.84 BGN 3.21
$1.46 BGN 2.54
26.03%
White Bread (500g)
$1.23 BGN 2.13
$0.83 BGN 1.45
48.19%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.16 BGN 3.76
$1.74 BGN 3.04
24.14%
Eggs
$3.67 BGN 6.39
$2.77 BGN 4.83
32.49%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.74 BGN 20.43
$9.76 BGN 16.98
20.29%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.38 BGN 14.59
$5.06 BGN 8.80
65.61%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.89 BGN 24.16
$8.45 BGN 14.70
64.38%
Apples (1kg)
$1.64 BGN 2.85
$1.46 BGN 2.55
12.33%
Banana (1kg)
$1.78 BGN 3.10
$1.05 BGN 1.83
69.52%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.01 BGN 3.50
$1.06 BGN 1.85
89.62%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.53 BGN 4.41
$2.30 BGN 4.01
10.00%
Potato (1kg)
$1.04 BGN 1.81
$0.71 BGN 1.23
46.48%
Onion (1kg)
$1.09 BGN 1.89
$0.48 BGN 0.83
127.08%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.16 BGN 2.02
$0.55 BGN 0.96
110.91%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72 BGN 1.26
$0.56 BGN 0.97
28.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.98 BGN 6.92
$3.58 BGN 6.24
11.17%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.18 BGN 10.76
$6.95 BGN 12.10
-11.08%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.18 BGN 2.05
$1.03 BGN 1.80
14.56%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01 BGN 3.49
$1.16 BGN 2.02
73.28%
🚌 Getting Around
Plovdiv
Svishtov
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.56 BGN 0.97
$0.90 BGN 1.57
-37.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$28.23 BGN 49.11
$23.96 BGN 41.70
17.82%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.22 BGN 2.13
$1.41 BGN 2.46
-13.48%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.61 BGN 1.07
$0.65 BGN 1.13
-6.15%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.15 BGN 17.65
$12.06 BGN 20.98
-15.84%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.69 BGN 2.94
$1.43 BGN 2.49
18.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.7K BGN 53.4K
$29.8K BGN 51.9K
2.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.5K BGN 42.6K
$22.8K BGN 39.6K
7.57%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Plovdiv
Svishtov
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$112 BGN 194
$102 BGN 178
9.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.47 BGN 32.13
$14.19 BGN 24.68
30.16%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.76 BGN 27.43
$8.42 BGN 14.65
87.17%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Plovdiv
Svishtov
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$40.66 BGN 70.8
$30.14 BGN 52.5
34.90%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.35 BGN 35.41
$17.08 BGN 29.72
19.15%
Cinema Ticket
$9.16 BGN 15.94
$8.68 BGN 15.10
5.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Plovdiv
Svishtov
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$507 BGN 883
$230 BGN 401
120.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,491 BGN 9,555
$5,778 BGN 10.1K
-4.97%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Plovdiv
Svishtov
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.8 BGN 120
$50.9 BGN 88.6
35.15%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.55 BGN 74.0
$25.21 BGN 43.87
68.78%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.9 BGN 165
$71.8 BGN 125
32.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105 BGN 183
$68.5 BGN 119
53.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Plovdiv
Svishtov
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$537 BGN 935
$336 BGN 585
59.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$388 BGN 675
$254 BGN 443
52.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$866 BGN 1,506
$537 BGN 934
61.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$670 BGN 1,166
$408 BGN 710
64.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,227 BGN 3,875
$1,320 BGN 2,298
68.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,542 BGN 2,683
$1,076 BGN 1,872
43.33%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Plovdiv
Svishtov
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,147 BGN 1,996
$1,264 BGN 2,199
-9.20%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.1
3.25
-4.62%

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

Last update for Plovdiv: October 17, 2026

Last update for Svishtov: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Plovdiv
$388
Svishtov
$254 34.5% $134
Groceries & Markets
Plovdiv
$253
Svishtov
$184 27.5% $70
Eating Out
Plovdiv
$170
Svishtov
$182 7.5% $13
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Plovdiv
$146
Svishtov
$125 14.3% $21
Clothing & Footwear
Plovdiv
$140
Svishtov
$97 30.5% $43
Sport & Entertainment
Plovdiv
$59
Svishtov
$48 19.5% $11
Getting Around
Plovdiv
$35
Svishtov
$32 7.2% $2.5

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $537 in Plovdiv versus $336 in Svishtov. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 10% higher in Svishtov, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Plovdiv versus $45.00 in Svishtov. Groceries tell a different story – $253 in Plovdiv vs $184 in Svishtov – so Svishtov wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇧🇬 Plovdiv
🇧🇬 Svishtov
🕒 Local time
20:49 8:49 PM
20:49 8:49 PM
Same time as Plovdiv
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
368,983
33,000
💱 Currency
Bulgarian Lev BGN лв.
Bulgarian Lev BGN лв.
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to BGN – Bulgarian Lev Converter

Bulgarian Lev exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 1.74 BGN (1 BGN = 0.575 USD). 1 EUR = 1.96 BGN (1 BGN = 0.511 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Plovdiv Svishtov 170 km
From you
  • Plovdiv
  • Svishtov

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 Svishtov: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Plovdiv and in Svishtov compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,191 in Plovdiv, $922 in Svishtov – roughly 29% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Plovdiv compared to Svishtov?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,786 per month in Plovdiv and $1,384 in Svishtov. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Plovdiv and Svishtov?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Svishtov, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Plovdiv and in Svishtov?
Public transport costs about 18% less in Svishtov. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Plovdiv and Svishtov?
Kindergarten costs $507 per month in Plovdiv and $230 in Svishtov. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Svishtov, where all-in costs run around $922, than in Plovdiv at $1,191. In Svishtov it covers expenses comfortably, while in Plovdiv it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Plovdiv and Svishtov?
It depends on your priorities. Plovdiv has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $922 in Svishtov to $1,191 in Plovdiv. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Plovdiv or Svishtov safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Plovdiv and Svishtov?
If budget matters most, go with Svishtov. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Plovdiv makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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