๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,300 in Podgorica versus $1,289 in Perast.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,005 in Podgorica versus $1,961 in Perast.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,710 in Podgorica versus $2,634 in Perast.
๐Living in Podgorica is roughly 1% more expensive than Perast, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
๐Both cities sit below the global median: Podgorica3% lower, Perast4% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Podgorica
Perast
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.76โฌ8.33
$9.72โฌ8.30
0.41%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.48โฌ38.79
$46.31โฌ39.50
-1.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.28โฌ7.92
$9.34โฌ7.96
-0.64%
Cappuccino
$2.12โฌ1.81
$2.12โฌ1.80
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.35โฌ2.01
$2.24โฌ1.91
4.91%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.39โฌ1.18
$1.42โฌ1.21
-2.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.96โฌ2.52
$2.81โฌ2.40
5.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.48โฌ2.97
$3.54โฌ3.02
-1.69%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Podgorica
Perast
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.36โฌ1.16
$1.30โฌ1.11
4.62%
White Bread(500g)
$1.03โฌ0.88
$0.99โฌ0.84
4.04%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.37โฌ2.02
$1.78โฌ1.52
33.15%
Eggs
$3.23โฌ2.76
$3.10โฌ2.65
4.19%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.74โฌ7.45
$8.63โฌ7.36
1.27%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.05โฌ6.87
$7.47โฌ6.37
7.76%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.17โฌ10.39
$9.58โฌ8.17
27.04%
Apples(1kg)
$1.53โฌ1.31
$1.51โฌ1.29
1.32%
Banana(1kg)
$1.81โฌ1.55
$1.82โฌ1.55
-0.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.67โฌ1.42
$1.68โฌ1.43
-0.60%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.49โฌ2.13
$2.46โฌ2.10
1.22%
Potato(1kg)
$0.96โฌ0.82
$0.97โฌ0.83
-1.03%
Onion(1kg)
$1.11โฌ0.95
$1.15โฌ0.98
-3.48%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.91โฌ1.63
$1.84โฌ1.57
3.80%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79โฌ0.68
$0.75โฌ0.64
5.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.14โฌ3.53
$4.10โฌ3.50
0.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.97โฌ5.10
$4.60โฌ3.93
29.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.09โฌ0.93
$1.10โฌ0.94
-0.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81โฌ1.55
$1.81โฌ1.54
-
๐ Getting Around
Podgorica
Perast
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.05โฌ0.90
$1.42โฌ1.21
-26.06%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$34.74โฌ29.63
$37.85โฌ32.28
-8.22%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.67โฌ0.57
$0.67โฌ0.57
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.70โฌ0.60
$0.75โฌ0.64
-6.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.76โฌ10.03
$11.41โฌ9.73
3.07%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.75โฌ1.49
$1.77โฌ1.51
-1.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.8Kโฌ24.6K
$29.5Kโฌ25.2K
-2.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.0Kโฌ28.2K
$29.1Kโฌ24.8K
13.49%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Podgorica
Perast
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$113โฌ96.8
$117โฌ99.5
-2.73%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.45โฌ15.74
$18.53โฌ15.81
-0.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.49โฌ27.71
$32.47โฌ27.70
0.06%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Podgorica
Perast
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.66โฌ38.09
$44.31โฌ37.79
0.79%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.77โฌ11.74
$14.09โฌ12.02
-2.27%
Cinema Ticket
$5.96โฌ5.09
$3.44โฌ2.93
73.26%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Podgorica
Perast
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$289โฌ247
$286โฌ244
1.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,340โฌ6,261
$7,372โฌ6,288
-0.43%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Podgorica
Perast
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.6โฌ70.4
$23.57โฌ20.11
250.28%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.63โฌ38.07
$38.13โฌ32.53
17.05%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.7โฌ79.9
$95.6โฌ81.5
-1.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112โฌ95.6
$112โฌ95.6
-0.05%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Podgorica
Perast
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$630โฌ538
$715โฌ610
-11.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$490โฌ418
$546โฌ465
-10.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,159โฌ989
$1,256โฌ1,072
-7.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$864โฌ737
$910โฌ777
-5.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,087โฌ2,634
$3,918โฌ3,342
-21.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,282โฌ1,946
$2,596โฌ2,214
-12.10%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Podgorica
Perast
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,170โฌ998
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.73
5.38
6.51%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Podgorica: April 19, 2026
Last update for Perast: April 22, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $630 in Podgorica and $715 in Perast. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐Dining out: $45 in Podgorica vs $46 in Perast. Groceries flip the comparison at $230 vs $212, with Perast cheaper for home cooking.
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
Podgorica vs Perast: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Podgorica or Perast?
Perast wins on cost โ living expenses run 1% lower than in Podgorica. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Perast the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Podgorica vs Perast?
You'd need roughly $1,950 in Podgorica and $1,933 in Perast 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 Podgorica vs Perast?
Rent for a central apartment: $630 in Podgorica versus $715 in Perast. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Podgorica or Perast?
Supermarket bills run roughly 9% higher in Podgorica. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Podgorica vs Perast?
Dining out is cheaper in Perast โ a meal for two runs $46.00 versus $45.00 in Podgorica. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Podgorica or Perast?
At $1,289 in Perast versus $1,300 in Podgorica, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Perast but tight or insufficient in Podgorica. The gap between the two cities makes Perast the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Podgorica or Perast?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Podgorica compared to Perast?
Safety-wise, Podgorica and Perast 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 Perast gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 1% less than in Podgorica. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.