😐A single person spends $981 per month in Satu Mare vs $950 in Bijeljina, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,471 per month in Satu Mare vs $1,480 in Bijeljina, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,962 per month in Satu Mare vs $2,009 in Bijeljina, rent included.
😐Satu Mare costs about 3% more than Bijeljina, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Satu Mare and Bijeljina are more affordable than the global median – Satu Mare29% lower, Bijeljina31% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Satu Mare
Bijeljina
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.95RON 40.53
$8.94BAM 15.06
0.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.28RON 155
$36.22BAM 61.0
-5.36%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.60RON 29.90
$4.88BAM 8.22
35.25%
Cappuccino
$2.64RON 11.96
$1.51BAM 2.55
74.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51RON 6.86
$1.76BAM 2.96
-14.20%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41RON 6.38
$1.04BAM 1.75
35.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.05RON 9.28
$1.82BAM 3.06
12.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.52RON 11.42
$2.45BAM 4.12
2.86%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Satu Mare
Bijeljina
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.20RON 5.44
$1.59BAM 2.68
-24.53%
White Bread(500g)
$1.14RON 5.15
$1.26BAM 2.13
-9.52%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.20RON 5.42
$1.67BAM 2.82
-28.14%
Eggs
$2.79RON 12.62
$3.11BAM 5.25
-10.29%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.42RON 33.61
$7.96BAM 13.42
-6.78%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.71RON 34.91
$8.08BAM 13.61
-4.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.34RON 51.4
$12.29BAM 20.71
-7.73%
Apples(1kg)
$1.19RON 5.38
$1.65BAM 2.77
-27.88%
Banana(1kg)
$1.42RON 6.41
$1.88BAM 3.17
-24.47%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.36RON 6.16
$1.92BAM 3.24
-29.17%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.47RON 6.66
$2.76BAM 4.66
-46.74%
Potato(1kg)
$1.20RON 5.46
$1.58BAM 2.67
-24.05%
Onion(1kg)
$1.44RON 6.53
$1.47BAM 2.48
-2.04%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.97RON 4.41
$1.17BAM 1.98
-17.09%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.73RON 3.31
$0.67BAM 1.13
8.96%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.77RON 26.15
$3.84BAM 6.47
50.26%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.49RON 29.39
$9.18BAM 15.47
-29.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.26RON 5.69
$0.91BAM 1.54
38.46%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86RON 8.44
$1.45BAM 2.45
28.28%
🚌 Getting Around
Satu Mare
Bijeljina
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.57RON 2.57
$2.43BAM 4.09
-76.54%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$24.38RON 110
$17.91BAM 30.19
36.13%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.83RON 3.74
$1.45BAM 2.44
-42.76%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.86RON 3.89
$0.61BAM 1.03
40.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.81RON 39.90
$10.54BAM 17.76
-16.41%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.57RON 7.10
$1.45BAM 2.44
8.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.1KRON 109.2K
$30.3KBAM 51.1K
-20.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1KRON 118.2K
$21.9KBAM 36.9K
19.19%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Satu Mare
Bijeljina
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$133RON 604
$144BAM 242
-7.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.73RON 34.99
$18.92BAM 31.88
-59.14%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.70RON 34.88
$24.93BAM 42.00
-69.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Satu Mare
Bijeljina
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.36RON 201
$30.82BAM 51.9
43.93%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.16RON 50.6
$8.71BAM 14.67
28.13%
Cinema Ticket
$6.83RON 30.92
$4.94BAM 8.33
38.26%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Satu Mare
Bijeljina
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$165RON 748
$215BAM 362
-23.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,075RON 18.5K
$3,818BAM 6,433
6.73%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Satu Mare
Bijeljina
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.1RON 286
$59.0BAM 99.4
6.92%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.49RON 134
$26.58BAM 44.78
10.95%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.6RON 401
$133BAM 224
-33.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.1RON 336
$125BAM 211
-40.90%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Satu Mare
Bijeljina
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$337RON 1,527
$265BAM 446
27.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$277RON 1,254
$174BAM 292
59.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$666RON 3,017
$364BAM 613
82.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$421RON 1,908
$297BAM 500
42.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,050RON 4,757
$1,892BAM 3,189
-44.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,090RON 4,934
$1,394BAM 2,349
-21.83%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Satu Mare
Bijeljina
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$685RON 3,102
$773BAM 1,302
-11.36%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.05
6
17.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Satu Mare: September 6, 2026
Last update for Bijeljina: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $337 in Satu Mare versus $265 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 13% higher in Bijeljina, 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 $34.00 in Satu Mare versus $36.00 in Bijeljina. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $204 vs $236 – making Satu Mare the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
How do living costs in Satu Mare and in Bijeljina compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $981 in Satu Mare, $950 in Bijeljina – roughly 3% apart. Satu Mare costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Satu Mare compared to Bijeljina?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,471 per month in Satu Mare and $1,426 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 Bijeljina, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Satu Mare or Bijeljina?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $981 in Satu Mare and $950 in Bijeljina. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Satu Mare and in Bijeljina?
Public transport costs about 36% less in Bijeljina. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How far does $1,200 go in Satu Mare compared to Bijeljina?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $981 in Satu Mare and $950 in Bijeljina, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Where should families live: Satu Mare or Bijeljina?
Families tend to lean toward Bijeljina – 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 Bijeljina. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Satu Mare makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.