For one person, living is cheaper in Oyo: $626 a month against $1,594 in Sofia, rent and utilities included – about $11,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Sofia and in Oyo actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,594 in Sofia versus $626 in Oyo.
Sofia $1,594
Oyo $626
Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,478 in Sofia versus $1,161 in Oyo.
Sofia $2,478
Oyo $1,161
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,361 in Sofia versus $1,695 in Oyo.
Sofia $3,361
Oyo $1,695
🌍
Living in Sofia is roughly 155% more expensive than in Oyo, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.
📊
The two cities straddle the global median: Sofia is 18% above, Oyo is 54% below.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Sofia
Oyo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.87BGN 29.35
$3.72₦4,947
353.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$65.8BGN 115
$50.8₦67.5K
29.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.32BGN 19.69
$7.48₦9,946
51.34%
Cappuccino
$3.43BGN 5.98
$2.79₦3,711
22.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.41BGN 4.19
$0.40₦536
502.50%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85BGN 3.22
$0.12₦166
1441.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.70BGN 6.44
$0.39₦520
848.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.58BGN 7.97
$0.51₦677
798.04%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sofia
Oyo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.02BGN 3.51
$3.08₦4,090
-34.42%
White Bread(500g)
$1.56BGN 2.72
$0.52₦691
200.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.33BGN 4.05
$0.89₦1,182
161.80%
Eggs
$4.36BGN 7.59
$2.25₦2,994
93.78%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.76BGN 20.47
$3.61₦4,799
225.76%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.83BGN 15.37
$3.88₦5,167
127.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.46BGN 30.38
$4.54₦6,035
284.58%
Apples(1kg)
$2.15BGN 3.74
$1.65₦2,189
30.30%
Banana(1kg)
$1.98BGN 3.44
$1.28₦1,703
54.69%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93BGN 3.37
$1.14₦1,519
69.30%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.24BGN 7.37
$1.29₦1,714
228.68%
Potato(1kg)
$1.04BGN 1.80
$1.32₦1,754
-21.21%
Onion(1kg)
$0.85BGN 1.48
$1.35₦1,792
-37.04%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.15BGN 2.00
$0.89₦1,181
29.21%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.89BGN 1.56
$0.31₦417
187.10%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.21BGN 7.33
$0.55₦731
665.45%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.46BGN 12.98
$2.52₦3,350
196.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15BGN 2.01
$0.36₦484
219.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85BGN 3.23
$0.49₦656
277.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Sofia
Oyo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.87BGN 1.51
$0.37₦488
135.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.53BGN 49.65
$14.98₦19.9K
90.45%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.68BGN 2.93
$0.67₦891
150.75%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.94BGN 1.63
$0.92₦1,222
2.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$15.35BGN 26.70
$2.24₦2,982
585.27%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.69BGN 2.94
$0.82₦1,096
106.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.8KBGN 51.9K
$11.4K₦15.1M
162.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1KBGN 45.5K
$13.9K₦18.4M
88.61%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sofia
Oyo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$156BGN 272
$14.96₦19.9K
943.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.56BGN 37.52
$14.73₦19.6K
46.37%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.24BGN 26.51
$33.32₦44.3K
-54.26%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sofia
Oyo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.08BGN 80.2
$14.81₦19.7K
211.14%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.92BGN 48.58
$4.69₦6,235
495.31%
Cinema Ticket
$10.18BGN 17.72
$6.19₦8,230
64.46%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sofia
Oyo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$774BGN 1,347
$658₦875.1K
17.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.8KBGN 22.3K
$19.9K₦26.5M
-35.74%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sofia
Oyo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.9BGN 157
$6.07₦8,075
1381.71%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.29BGN 71.8
$17.88₦23.8K
130.93%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$105BGN 183
$14.98₦19.9K
601.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107BGN 186
$10.71₦14.2K
896.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sofia
Oyo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$783BGN 1,362
$432₦574.1K
81.31%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$597BGN 1,038
$260₦345.9K
129.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,516BGN 2,638
$1,111₦1.5M
36.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,030BGN 1,792
$689₦916.8K
49.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,350BGN 7,568
$751₦998.8K
479.23%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,177BGN 5,528
$187₦249.1K
1596.44%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sofia
Oyo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,735BGN 3,019
$33.32₦44.3K
5107.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2.89
10
-71.10%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sofia: October 13, 2026
Last update for Oyo: October 10, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🏠Accommodation & Living
Sofia
$597 37.4%
Oyo
$260 41.5% ↓ 56.4%$337
🛒Groceries & Markets
Sofia
$290 18.2%
Oyo
$141 22.5% ↓ 51.4%$149
🍽Eating Out
Sofia
$255 16%
Oyo
$91 14.5% ↓ 64.4%$164
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sofia
$193 12.1%
Oyo
$63 10.1% ↓ 67.3%$130
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Sofia
$154 9.7%
Oyo
$22 3.6% ↓ 85.5%$132
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Sofia
$66 4.2%
Oyo
$27 4.3% ↓ 59.1%$39
🚌Getting Around
Sofia
$38 2.4%
Oyo
$22 3.5% ↓ 43.4%$17
🏠Accommodation & Living
Sofia
$1K 30.6%
Oyo
$689 40.7% ↓ 33.1%$341
🛒Groceries & Markets
Sofia
$689 20.5%
Oyo
$342 20.2% ↓ 50.4%$347
🍽Eating Out
Sofia
$845 25.2%
Oyo
$433 25.6% ↓ 48.7%$412
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sofia
$214 6.4%
Oyo
$78 4.6% ↓ 63.7%$137
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Sofia
$343 10.2%
Oyo
$50 2.9% ↓ 85.5%$293
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Sofia
$161 4.8%
Oyo
$59 3.5% ↓ 63.3%$102
🚌Getting Around
Sofia
$78 2.3%
Oyo
$44 2.6% ↓ 43.7%$34
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $783 in Sofia and $432 in Oyo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Sofia pays 5108% 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: $66.0 in Sofia vs $51.0 in Oyo for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $290 vs $141 per month, with Oyo cheaper across the board.
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
Sofia vs Oyo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oyo cheaper than Sofia?
Oyo is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and clothing. The 155% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Sofia or Oyo?
Average pay runs 5108% higher in Sofia, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Sofia and Oyo?
Rent for a central apartment: $783 in Sofia versus $432 in Oyo. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Sofia or in Oyo?
Dining out is cheaper in Oyo – a meal for two runs $51.0 versus $66.0 in Sofia. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Sofia and in Oyo?
All in, you'll spend $1,594 per month in Sofia versus $626 in Oyo – a 155% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Sofia or in Oyo?
At $626 in Oyo versus $1,594 in Sofia, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Oyo but tight or insufficient in Sofia. The gap between the two cities makes Oyo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Sofia or Oyo more family-friendly?
For families, Oyo is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Sofia, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Sofia or Oyo?
Safety-wise, Sofia and Oyo 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 Oyo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 155% less than in Sofia. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.