Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Samokov and Varna

For one person, living is cheaper in Samokov: $1,040 a month against $1,408 in Varna, rent and utilities included – about $4,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Samokov, Bulgaria
Varna, Bulgaria
Samokov
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
$1,040
/mo nomad
Varna
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
$1,408
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Samokov and in Varna

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

A single person spends $1,040 per month in Samokov vs $1,408 in Varna, rent included.

  • Samokov $1,040
  • Varna $1,408

A couple spends around $1,626 per month in Samokov vs $2,217 in Varna, rent included.

  • Samokov $1,626
  • Varna $2,217

A family of three spends $2,211 per month in Samokov vs $3,026 in Varna, rent included.

  • Samokov $2,211
  • Varna $3,026

Samokov is about 26% cheaper than Varna, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Samokov sits 24% below the global median, while Varna is 3% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Samokov
Varna
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.39 BGN 16.53
$12.46 BGN 21.94
-24.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.86 BGN 80.7
$59.9 BGN 106
-23.49%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.56 BGN 16.82
$10.16 BGN 17.87
-5.91%
Cappuccino
$2.89 BGN 5.09
$2.87 BGN 5.05
0.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76 BGN 3.10
$1.89 BGN 3.32
-6.88%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52 BGN 2.68
$1.62 BGN 2.85
-6.17%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.64 BGN 4.65
$2.81 BGN 4.94
-6.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.26 BGN 7.50
$3.50 BGN 6.15
21.71%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Samokov
Varna
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.80 BGN 3.16
$1.92 BGN 3.38
-6.25%
White Bread (500g)
$1.20 BGN 2.11
$1.24 BGN 2.18
-3.23%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.22 BGN 3.91
$2.58 BGN 4.55
-13.95%
Eggs
$3.57 BGN 6.27
$3.53 BGN 6.21
1.13%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.67 BGN 20.54
$11.53 BGN 20.30
1.21%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.22 BGN 14.46
$9.28 BGN 16.34
-11.42%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.86 BGN 24.39
$13.97 BGN 24.60
-0.79%
Apples (1kg)
$1.72 BGN 3.02
$1.90 BGN 3.34
-9.47%
Banana (1kg)
$1.87 BGN 3.29
$2.16 BGN 3.81
-13.43%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.94 BGN 3.41
$2.12 BGN 3.74
-8.49%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.65 BGN 4.66
$3.00 BGN 5.28
-11.67%
Potato (1kg)
$1.04 BGN 1.83
$1.30 BGN 2.29
-20.00%
Onion (1kg)
$1.09 BGN 1.92
$1.04 BGN 1.83
4.81%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.22 BGN 2.14
$1.05 BGN 1.85
16.19%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72 BGN 1.26
$0.78 BGN 1.37
-7.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.13 BGN 7.27
$4.03 BGN 7.08
2.48%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.04 BGN 10.64
$8.90 BGN 15.66
-32.13%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.13 BGN 2.00
$1.17 BGN 2.06
-3.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07 BGN 3.64
$1.80 BGN 3.17
15.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Samokov
Varna
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.78 BGN 1.38
$1.13 BGN 1.99
-30.97%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$29.05 BGN 51.1
$28.11 BGN 49.47
3.34%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 BGN 2.24
$1.56 BGN 2.75
-18.59%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.65 BGN 1.14
$0.88 BGN 1.55
-26.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.14 BGN 17.85
$12.19 BGN 21.46
-16.82%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.74 BGN 3.06
$1.74 BGN 3.07
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3K BGN 53.3K
$29.6K BGN 52.0K
2.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.6K BGN 43.3K
$24.7K BGN 43.5K
-0.58%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Samokov
Varna
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$114 BGN 201
$176 BGN 310
-35.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.73 BGN 32.97
$20.41 BGN 35.91
-8.23%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.22 BGN 26.78
$15.68 BGN 27.59
-2.93%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Samokov
Varna
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$31.51 BGN 55.5
$51.4 BGN 90.5
-38.72%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.93 BGN 33.32
$19.47 BGN 34.26
-2.77%
Cinema Ticket
$9.31 BGN 16.39
$9.06 BGN 15.95
2.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Samokov
Varna
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$584 BGN 1,028
$498 BGN 877
17.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,533 BGN 9,738
$6,292 BGN 11.1K
-12.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Samokov
Varna
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.2 BGN 120
$65.3 BGN 115
4.39%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.21 BGN 72.5
$33.01 BGN 58.1
24.84%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.7 BGN 170
$102 BGN 180
-5.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103 BGN 182
$99.7 BGN 175
3.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Samokov
Varna
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$344 BGN 606
$640 BGN 1,126
-46.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$240 BGN 423
$482 BGN 848
-50.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$541 BGN 952
$1,362 BGN 2,397
-60.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$370 BGN 652
$916 BGN 1,612
-59.54%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,404 BGN 2,471
$2,998 BGN 5,276
-53.16%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,108 BGN 1,950
$2,090 BGN 3,678
-46.99%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Samokov
Varna
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$742 BGN 1,306
$1,286 BGN 2,263
-42.31%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.1
2.82
9.93%

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

Last update for Samokov: October 25, 2026

Last update for Varna: October 27, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Samokov
$252
Varna
$272 7.7% $19
Accommodation & Living
Samokov
$240
Varna
$482 100% $241
Eating Out
Samokov
$173
Varna
$200 15.1% $26
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Samokov
$148
Varna
$212 43% $64
Clothing & Footwear
Samokov
$139
Varna
$135 2.9% $4
Sport & Entertainment
Samokov
$50
Varna
$70 38.7% $19
Getting Around
Samokov
$37
Varna
$39 5.2% $1.9

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $344 in Samokov versus $640 in Varna. 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 73% higher in Varna. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $46 in Samokov versus $60 in Varna. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $252 vs $272 – making Samokov the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇧🇬 Samokov
🇧🇬 Varna
🕒 Local time
04:13 4:13 AM
04:13 4:13 AM
Same time as Samokov
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
25,138
348,058
💱 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 29, 2026: 1 USD = 1.76 BGN (1 BGN = 0.568 USD). 1 EUR = 1.96 BGN (1 BGN = 0.51 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Samokov Varna 370 km
From you
  • Samokov
  • Varna

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
Samokov vs Varna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Samokov or Varna?
Varna costs about 35% more than Samokov, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Samokov and in Varna?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,561 per month in Samokov and $2,113 in Varna. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Samokov or Varna?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Samokov, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $344 there versus $640 in Varna.
How do childcare costs compare in Samokov and in Varna?
Kindergarten costs $584 per month in Samokov and $498 in Varna. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Samokov or in Varna?
Groceries cost about 8% more in Varna, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Samokov or in Varna?
$1,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,040 in Samokov and $1,408 in Varna. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Samokov or Varna?
It depends on your priorities. Varna has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,040 in Samokov to $1,408 in Varna. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Samokov compared to Varna?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Should I move to Samokov or to Varna?
If budget matters most, go with Samokov. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Varna makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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