😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,266 in Sarajevo versus $872 in Trebinje.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,911 in Sarajevo versus $1,384 in Trebinje.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,556 in Sarajevo versus $1,897 in Trebinje.
🌍Living in Sarajevo is roughly 45% more expensive than in Trebinje, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Sarajevo8% lower, Trebinje37% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sarajevo
Trebinje
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.71BAM 14.65
$9.53BAM 16.02
-8.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.99BAM 70.6
$32.36BAM 54.4
29.76%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.12BAM 15.34
$11.15BAM 18.75
-18.21%
Cappuccino
$2.32BAM 3.90
$1.24BAM 2.09
87.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25BAM 3.79
$1.96BAM 3.29
14.80%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.48BAM 2.49
$1.37BAM 2.30
8.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.94BAM 4.95
$2.38BAM 4.00
23.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.96BAM 4.97
$2.31BAM 3.89
28.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sarajevo
Trebinje
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.27BAM 2.13
$1.17BAM 1.97
8.55%
White Bread(500g)
$1.24BAM 2.08
$1.10BAM 1.86
12.73%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.22BAM 3.74
$1.64BAM 2.76
35.37%
Eggs
$3.26BAM 5.48
$2.51BAM 4.22
29.88%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.85BAM 18.24
$10.00BAM 16.81
8.50%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.87BAM 13.23
$6.90BAM 11.61
14.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.22BAM 25.59
$11.82BAM 19.86
28.76%
Apples(1kg)
$1.55BAM 2.60
$1.33BAM 2.23
16.54%
Banana(1kg)
$1.69BAM 2.84
$1.67BAM 2.80
1.20%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.74BAM 2.92
$1.31BAM 2.19
32.82%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.19BAM 3.68
$1.81BAM 3.05
20.99%
Potato(1kg)
$1.05BAM 1.77
$1.00BAM 1.69
5.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.23BAM 2.07
$1.30BAM 2.18
-5.38%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.11BAM 1.86
$0.92BAM 1.55
20.65%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77BAM 1.29
$0.59BAM 0.99
30.51%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.98BAM 6.70
$3.75BAM 6.31
6.13%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.32BAM 13.98
$6.09BAM 10.24
36.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.90BAM 1.52
$0.66BAM 1.11
36.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50BAM 2.53
$1.35BAM 2.27
11.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Sarajevo
Trebinje
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.31BAM 2.21
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$35.61BAM 59.9
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.49BAM 2.51
$1.17BAM 1.97
27.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.23BAM 2.06
$0.58BAM 0.97
112.07%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.85BAM 14.87
$18.10BAM 30.43
-51.10%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.70BAM 2.86
$1.61BAM 2.70
5.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.1KBAM 52.3K
$31.8KBAM 53.4K
-2.04%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.8KBAM 40.0K
$22.3KBAM 37.5K
6.75%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sarajevo
Trebinje
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$224BAM 376
$89.0BAM 150
151.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.67BAM 24.65
$16.98BAM 28.54
-13.60%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.33BAM 47.63
$27.25BAM 45.81
3.96%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sarajevo
Trebinje
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.45BAM 69.7
$33.54BAM 56.4
23.58%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.34BAM 34.19
$14.66BAM 24.65
38.74%
Cinema Ticket
$7.06BAM 11.86
$3.06BAM 5.14
130.72%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sarajevo
Trebinje
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$216BAM 363
$161BAM 270
34.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,961BAM 6,658
$3,765BAM 6,329
5.19%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sarajevo
Trebinje
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$90.8BAM 153
$88.0BAM 148
3.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.75BAM 66.8
$37.32BAM 62.7
6.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.6BAM 161
$97.5BAM 164
-1.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104BAM 175
$102BAM 171
2.24%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sarajevo
Trebinje
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475BAM 799
$302BAM 507
57.57%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$323BAM 543
$201BAM 338
60.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,076BAM 1,809
$538BAM 905
99.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$603BAM 1,014
$369BAM 620
63.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,397BAM 5,710
$2,527BAM 4,248
34.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,491BAM 4,187
$1,852BAM 3,114
34.47%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sarajevo
Trebinje
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,089BAM 1,830
$883BAM 1,484
23.35%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.08
4.44
-8.11%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sarajevo: August 31, 2026
Last update for Trebinje: August 29, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $475 in Sarajevo and $302 in Trebinje. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Sarajevo pays 23% 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: $42.00 in Sarajevo vs $32.00 in Trebinje for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $244 vs $205 per month, with Trebinje 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
Sarajevo vs Trebinje: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Sarajevo or Trebinje?
Trebinje wins on cost – living expenses run 45% lower than in Sarajevo. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Trebinje the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Sarajevo or in Trebinje?
Average pay runs 23% higher in Sarajevo, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Sarajevo compared to Trebinje?
Rent for a central apartment: $475 in Sarajevo versus $302 in Trebinje. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Sarajevo or in Trebinje?
Supermarket bills run roughly 19% higher in Sarajevo. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Sarajevo compared to Trebinje?
All in, you'll spend $1,266 per month in Sarajevo versus $872 in Trebinje – a 45% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Sarajevo or in Trebinje?
At $872 in Trebinje versus $1,266 in Sarajevo, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Trebinje but tight or insufficient in Sarajevo. The gap between the two cities makes Trebinje the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Sarajevo or Trebinje?
Both work as nomad bases, but Trebinje delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $872 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Trebinje hard to pass up.
How safe is Sarajevo compared to Trebinje?
Safety-wise, Sarajevo and Trebinje 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 Trebinje gentler on the wallet – expenses run 45% less than in Sarajevo. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.