🙂A single person spends $939 per month in Satu Mare vs $944 in Bijeljina, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,474 per month in Satu Mare vs $1,475 in Bijeljina, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,009 per month in Satu Mare vs $2,006 in Bijeljina, rent included.
🙂Satu Mare and Bijeljina have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.
📊Both Satu Mare and Bijeljina are more affordable than the global median – Satu Mare30% lower, Bijeljina30% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Satu Mare
Bijeljina
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.02RON 40.78
$8.89BAM 14.97
1.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.02RON 208
$34.86BAM 58.7
32.01%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.95RON 31.42
$4.99BAM 8.40
39.28%
Cappuccino
$2.33RON 10.56
$1.44BAM 2.43
61.81%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81RON 8.20
$1.78BAM 3.00
1.69%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.47RON 6.64
$1.04BAM 1.75
41.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.10RON 9.51
$1.79BAM 3.02
17.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24RON 10.11
$2.29BAM 3.86
-2.18%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Satu Mare
Bijeljina
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.47RON 6.67
$1.56BAM 2.63
-5.77%
White Bread(500g)
$1.14RON 5.16
$1.21BAM 2.03
-5.79%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.20RON 5.41
$1.75BAM 2.95
-31.43%
Eggs
$3.11RON 14.06
$3.24BAM 5.45
-4.01%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.10RON 36.65
$7.71BAM 12.99
5.06%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.35RON 28.72
$7.99BAM 13.46
-20.53%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.20RON 50.7
$12.00BAM 20.20
-6.67%
Apples(1kg)
$1.13RON 5.13
$1.63BAM 2.75
-30.67%
Banana(1kg)
$1.44RON 6.53
$1.91BAM 3.21
-24.61%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.41RON 6.38
$1.91BAM 3.21
-26.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.75RON 7.93
$2.67BAM 4.50
-34.46%
Potato(1kg)
$0.74RON 3.34
$1.58BAM 2.67
-53.16%
Onion(1kg)
$0.98RON 4.45
$1.46BAM 2.46
-32.88%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67RON 3.05
$1.17BAM 1.97
-42.74%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.78RON 3.51
$0.63BAM 1.07
23.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.92RON 26.78
$3.78BAM 6.36
56.61%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.56RON 29.69
$8.89BAM 14.97
-26.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.25RON 5.65
$0.86BAM 1.46
45.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66RON 7.50
$1.48BAM 2.50
12.16%
🚌 Getting Around
Satu Mare
Bijeljina
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.60RON 2.72
$2.32BAM 3.91
-74.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$25.64RON 116
$17.41BAM 29.33
47.27%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.91RON 4.11
$1.50BAM 2.52
-39.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82RON 3.71
$0.56BAM 0.95
46.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.57RON 34.25
$12.02BAM 20.24
-37.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.58RON 7.16
$1.47BAM 2.48
7.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.5KRON 110.9K
$26.6KBAM 44.9K
-8.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8KRON 116.6K
$26.0KBAM 43.8K
-0.86%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Satu Mare
Bijeljina
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$140RON 631
$142BAM 239
-1.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.10RON 36.63
$19.02BAM 32.03
-57.41%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.35RON 42.30
$24.48BAM 41.24
-61.81%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Satu Mare
Bijeljina
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.81RON 216
$31.16BAM 52.5
53.43%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.36RON 51.4
$8.78BAM 14.79
29.38%
Cinema Ticket
$6.75RON 30.54
$4.93BAM 8.30
36.92%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Satu Mare
Bijeljina
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$186RON 840
$206BAM 348
-9.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.3KRON 46.7K
$3,290BAM 5,541
213.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Satu Mare
Bijeljina
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.3RON 295
$58.2BAM 98.1
12.07%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.79RON 139
$26.61BAM 44.81
15.71%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.0RON 376
$135BAM 227
-38.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.9RON 348
$121BAM 204
-36.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Satu Mare
Bijeljina
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$301RON 1,361
$262BAM 441
14.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$239RON 1,081
$169BAM 285
41.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$548RON 2,480
$359BAM 605
52.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$353RON 1,596
$296BAM 498
19.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,032RON 4,668
$1,861BAM 3,134
-44.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,081RON 4,892
$1,363BAM 2,295
-20.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Satu Mare
Bijeljina
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$700RON 3,168
$775BAM 1,306
-9.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.66
6
11.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Satu Mare: June 8, 2026
Last update for Bijeljina: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $301 in Satu Mare versus $262 in Bijeljina. 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 11% higher in Bijeljina. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $46.00 in Satu Mare versus $35.00 in Bijeljina. Groceries tell a different story – $201 in Satu Mare vs $232 in Bijeljina – so Satu Mare wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Satu Mare vs Bijeljina: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What salary covers living expenses in Satu Mare compared to Bijeljina?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,409 per month in Satu Mare and $1,416 in Bijeljina. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Satu Mare and Bijeljina?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Satu Mare, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 16% more in Bijeljina, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Satu Mare and Bijeljina?
Kindergarten costs $186 per month in Satu Mare and $206 in Bijeljina. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How far does $800 go in Satu Mare vs Bijeljina?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $939 in Satu Mare and $944 in Bijeljina, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Where should families live: Satu Mare or Bijeljina?
Families tend to lean toward Satu Mare – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is Satu Mare or Bijeljina 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 Satu Mare and Bijeljina?
If budget matters most, go with Satu Mare. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bijeljina makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.