😐A single person spends $1,365 per month in Sofia vs $854 in Targovishte, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,143 per month in Sofia vs $1,350 in Targovishte, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,922 per month in Sofia vs $1,845 in Targovishte, rent included.
😐Sofia costs about 60% more than Targovishte, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Sofia sits 2% above the global median, while Targovishte is 36% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sofia
Targovishte
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.72BGN 19.51
$9.00BGN 14.98
30.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.80BGN 82.8
$42.05BGN 70.0
18.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.77BGN 14.59
$8.60BGN 14.30
1.98%
Cappuccino
$2.63BGN 4.38
$2.47BGN 4.10
6.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.78BGN 2.96
$1.44BGN 2.39
23.61%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42BGN 2.36
$0.85BGN 1.41
67.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.96BGN 4.92
$2.96BGN 4.93
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.27BGN 5.43
$2.97BGN 4.94
10.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sofia
Targovishte
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.86BGN 3.09
$1.61BGN 2.68
15.53%
White Bread(500g)
$1.20BGN 2.00
$0.76BGN 1.26
57.89%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.99BGN 3.31
$2.13BGN 3.55
-6.57%
Eggs
$3.96BGN 6.58
$2.80BGN 4.66
41.43%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.18BGN 20.26
$8.66BGN 14.41
40.65%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.72BGN 14.51
$5.80BGN 9.64
50.34%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.98BGN 21.60
$8.89BGN 14.80
46.01%
Apples(1kg)
$1.91BGN 3.18
$1.56BGN 2.59
22.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.96BGN 3.27
$1.70BGN 2.82
15.29%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.99BGN 3.31
$1.64BGN 2.73
21.34%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.75BGN 4.57
$2.46BGN 4.10
11.79%
Potato(1kg)
$1.12BGN 1.86
$1.03BGN 1.71
8.74%
Onion(1kg)
$1.05BGN 1.75
$1.14BGN 1.90
-7.89%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.19BGN 1.98
$0.92BGN 1.53
29.35%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66BGN 1.10
$0.62BGN 1.03
6.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.87BGN 6.43
$3.52BGN 5.85
9.94%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.39BGN 12.29
$5.95BGN 9.90
24.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.10BGN 1.83
$0.68BGN 1.13
61.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.83BGN 3.04
$1.08BGN 1.79
69.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Sofia
Targovishte
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.98BGN 1.63
$0.84BGN 1.39
16.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.45BGN 48.99
$26.08BGN 43.38
12.92%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.45BGN 2.40
$1.20BGN 1.99
20.83%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.78BGN 1.30
$0.48BGN 0.81
62.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.34BGN 23.86
$10.74BGN 17.87
33.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.57BGN 2.62
$1.59BGN 2.64
-1.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.1KBGN 53.3K
$31.7KBGN 52.8K
1.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.0KBGN 48.3K
$20.7KBGN 34.4K
40.40%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sofia
Targovishte
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$150BGN 249
$58.5BGN 97.2
156.20%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.78BGN 29.57
$8.97BGN 14.92
98.22%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.40BGN 25.62
$13.08BGN 21.77
17.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sofia
Targovishte
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.98BGN 73.2
$17.93BGN 29.83
145.29%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.48BGN 35.73
$23.56BGN 39.20
-8.83%
Cinema Ticket
$9.61BGN 15.98
$4.75BGN 7.90
102.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sofia
Targovishte
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$642BGN 1,068
$417BGN 693
54.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,298BGN 15.5K
$5,466BGN 9,093
70.11%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sofia
Targovishte
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$71.9BGN 120
$61.2BGN 102
17.38%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.78BGN 59.5
$34.99BGN 58.2
2.26%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$107BGN 178
$93.6BGN 156
14.37%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119BGN 198
$107BGN 178
11.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sofia
Targovishte
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$695BGN 1,156
$147BGN 245
372.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$504BGN 838
$228BGN 380
120.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,257BGN 2,091
$381BGN 634
230.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$893BGN 1,485
$359BGN 597
148.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,422BGN 7,356
$1,369BGN 2,278
222.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,336BGN 5,550
$1,166BGN 1,940
186.05%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sofia
Targovishte
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,674BGN 2,785
$1,301BGN 2,164
28.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.09
4.49
-31.18%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sofia: July 11, 2026
Last update for Targovishte: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $695 in Sofia versus $147 in Targovishte. 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 29% higher in Sofia, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $50.0 in Sofia versus $42.00 in Targovishte. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $259 vs $196 – making Targovishte 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
Sofia vs Targovishte: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Sofia and in Targovishte compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,365 in Sofia, $854 in Targovishte – roughly 60% apart. Sofia costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Sofia compared to Targovishte?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,047 per month in Sofia and $1,282 in Targovishte. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Sofia and Targovishte?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Targovishte, 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: Sofia or Targovishte?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,365 in Sofia and $854 in Targovishte. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Sofia and in Targovishte?
Public transport costs about 13% less in Targovishte. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Targovishte, where all-in costs run around $854, than in Sofia at $1,365. In Targovishte it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sofia it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Sofia and Targovishte?
It depends on your priorities. Sofia has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $854 in Targovishte to $1,365 in Sofia. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Sofia or Targovishte 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 Sofia and Targovishte?
If budget matters most, go with Targovishte. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sofia makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.