Cost of Living Comparison Between Smolyan and VarnaCost of Living Comparison Between Smolyan and Varna
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $753 in Smolyan versus $1,189 in Varna.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,217 in Smolyan versus $1,839 in Varna.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,682 in Smolyan versus $2,489 in Varna.
🙂Living in Smolyan costs roughly 37% less than in Varna, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Smolyan44% lower, Varna11% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Smolyan
Varna
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.47BGN 10.76
$11.58BGN 19.26
-44.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.86BGN 63.0
$46.66BGN 77.6
-18.86%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.76BGN 9.59
$8.68BGN 14.43
-33.64%
Cappuccino
$1.35BGN 2.24
$2.58BGN 4.30
-47.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36BGN 2.26
$1.82BGN 3.03
-25.27%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.01BGN 1.68
$1.28BGN 2.13
-21.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.82BGN 3.03
$2.88BGN 4.79
-36.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23BGN 3.71
$3.02BGN 5.03
-26.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Smolyan
Varna
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.82BGN 3.02
$1.88BGN 3.14
-3.19%
White Bread(500g)
$0.91BGN 1.52
$1.08BGN 1.79
-15.74%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.78BGN 2.97
$2.44BGN 4.06
-27.05%
Eggs
$3.45BGN 5.73
$3.30BGN 5.48
4.55%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.81BGN 17.98
$11.00BGN 18.30
-1.73%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.75BGN 9.57
$8.46BGN 14.08
-32.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.64BGN 14.38
$12.26BGN 20.40
-29.53%
Apples(1kg)
$1.20BGN 1.99
$1.66BGN 2.77
-27.71%
Banana(1kg)
$1.79BGN 2.97
$2.13BGN 3.54
-15.96%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.22BGN 2.02
$1.85BGN 3.08
-34.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.32BGN 3.86
$2.79BGN 4.64
-16.85%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15BGN 1.91
$1.19BGN 1.98
-3.36%
Onion(1kg)
$1.43BGN 2.37
$1.14BGN 1.90
25.44%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.17BGN 1.94
$1.03BGN 1.71
13.59%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.60BGN 1.01
$0.70BGN 1.16
-14.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.51BGN 5.84
$3.76BGN 6.26
-6.65%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.11BGN 10.16
$9.12BGN 15.16
-33.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.61BGN 1.01
$1.16BGN 1.92
-47.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69BGN 2.81
$1.92BGN 3.19
-11.98%
🚌 Getting Around
Smolyan
Varna
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.91BGN 1.52
$1.20BGN 2.00
-24.17%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$33.37BGN 55.5
$29.96BGN 49.84
11.38%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.15BGN 1.91
$1.39BGN 2.31
-17.27%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.55BGN 0.92
$0.71BGN 1.17
-22.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.97BGN 19.91
$12.51BGN 20.80
-4.32%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.58BGN 2.64
$1.51BGN 2.51
4.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.2KBGN 38.5K
$31.7KBGN 52.7K
-26.90%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.8KBGN 41.2K
$28.7KBGN 47.7K
-13.60%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Smolyan
Varna
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$119BGN 198
$125BGN 208
-4.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.39BGN 27.27
$19.16BGN 31.87
-14.46%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.29BGN 15.46
$15.85BGN 26.37
-41.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Smolyan
Varna
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.97BGN 38.21
$40.38BGN 67.2
-43.12%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.97BGN 24.90
$14.52BGN 24.15
3.10%
Cinema Ticket
$7.10BGN 11.81
$9.11BGN 15.16
-22.06%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Smolyan
Varna
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$321BGN 535
$400BGN 666
-19.65%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,516BGN 9,176
$5,515BGN 9,174
0.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Smolyan
Varna
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$29.60BGN 49.24
$60.2BGN 100
-50.84%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.54BGN 37.50
$33.44BGN 55.6
-32.60%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$61.9BGN 103
$92.6BGN 154
-33.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.4BGN 109
$100BGN 167
-34.82%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Smolyan
Varna
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$205BGN 340
$515BGN 857
-60.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$150BGN 250
$391BGN 650
-61.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$293BGN 487
$907BGN 1,508
-67.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$247BGN 410
$646BGN 1,075
-61.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,367BGN 2,274
$3,420BGN 5,690
-60.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,113BGN 1,852
$2,147BGN 3,572
-48.17%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Smolyan
Varna
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$709BGN 1,179
$1,196BGN 1,989
-40.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.5
4.71
-4.46%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Smolyan: June 1, 2026
Last update for Varna: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $205 in Smolyan and $515 in Varna. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Varna pays 69% 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: $38.00 in Smolyan vs $47.00 in Varna for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $205 vs $253 per month, with Smolyan 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
Smolyan vs Varna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Varna cheaper than Smolyan?
Smolyan is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 58% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Smolyan or Varna?
On paper, Varna earns 69% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Smolyan and Varna?
Rent for a central apartment: $205 in Smolyan versus $515 in Varna. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $321 in Smolyan versus $400 in Varna. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Smolyan and Varna?
Supermarket bills run roughly 23% higher in Varna. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Smolyan or Varna?
At $753 in Smolyan versus $1,189 in Varna, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Smolyan but tight or insufficient in Varna. The gap between the two cities makes Smolyan the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Smolyan or Varna more family-friendly?
For families, Smolyan is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Varna, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Smolyan or Varna?
Safety-wise, Smolyan and Varna 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Smolyan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 58% less than in Varna. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.