😐A single person spends $1,373 per month in Sofia vs $856 in Targovishte, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,132 per month in Sofia vs $1,353 in Targovishte, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,892 per month in Sofia vs $1,850 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
$11.89BGN 19.78
$8.92BGN 14.84
33.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.6BGN 84.2
$42.05BGN 70.0
20.40%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.76BGN 14.57
$8.59BGN 14.29
1.98%
Cappuccino
$2.60BGN 4.32
$2.39BGN 3.98
8.79%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74BGN 2.89
$1.50BGN 2.49
16.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43BGN 2.38
$0.92BGN 1.53
55.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.93BGN 4.88
$2.97BGN 4.93
-1.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23BGN 5.37
$3.01BGN 5.00
7.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sofia
Targovishte
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.94BGN 3.23
$1.61BGN 2.67
20.50%
White Bread(500g)
$1.20BGN 2.00
$0.81BGN 1.34
48.15%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.99BGN 3.31
$2.20BGN 3.66
-9.55%
Eggs
$3.82BGN 6.35
$2.80BGN 4.66
36.43%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.54BGN 20.86
$8.67BGN 14.43
44.64%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.74BGN 14.55
$5.75BGN 9.57
52.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.29BGN 22.11
$9.04BGN 15.04
47.01%
Apples(1kg)
$1.90BGN 3.16
$1.57BGN 2.61
21.02%
Banana(1kg)
$1.90BGN 3.16
$1.76BGN 2.94
7.95%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.00BGN 3.33
$1.67BGN 2.77
19.76%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.84BGN 4.73
$2.44BGN 4.05
16.39%
Potato(1kg)
$1.10BGN 1.83
$0.99BGN 1.65
11.11%
Onion(1kg)
$1.02BGN 1.69
$1.11BGN 1.84
-8.11%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18BGN 1.96
$0.90BGN 1.50
31.11%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66BGN 1.10
$0.61BGN 1.01
8.20%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.81BGN 6.33
$3.61BGN 6.00
5.54%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.65BGN 12.73
$5.92BGN 9.85
29.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.09BGN 1.82
$0.74BGN 1.23
47.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79BGN 2.98
$1.08BGN 1.80
65.74%
🚌 Getting Around
Sofia
Targovishte
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.92BGN 1.53
$0.92BGN 1.52
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.72BGN 49.45
$26.16BGN 43.52
13.61%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.49BGN 2.48
$1.15BGN 1.91
29.57%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76BGN 1.27
$0.48BGN 0.80
58.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.34BGN 23.86
$10.46BGN 17.40
37.09%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.51BGN 2.51
$1.54BGN 2.55
-1.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.5KBGN 54.0K
$32.5KBGN 54.1K
-0.04%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.4KBGN 47.3K
$20.7KBGN 34.4K
37.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sofia
Targovishte
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$154BGN 256
$57.8BGN 96.2
166.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.05BGN 30.04
$8.81BGN 14.66
104.88%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.97BGN 24.90
$12.90BGN 21.46
16.05%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sofia
Targovishte
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.03BGN 73.3
$17.92BGN 29.81
145.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.88BGN 36.40
$23.91BGN 39.78
-8.49%
Cinema Ticket
$9.24BGN 15.37
$4.59BGN 7.63
101.31%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sofia
Targovishte
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$624BGN 1,037
$422BGN 702
47.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,327BGN 15.5K
$5,531BGN 9,202
68.61%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sofia
Targovishte
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$71.3BGN 119
$61.6BGN 102
15.87%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.76BGN 59.5
$35.83BGN 59.6
-0.20%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$105BGN 175
$94.8BGN 158
11.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119BGN 198
$105BGN 175
12.78%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sofia
Targovishte
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$696BGN 1,157
$150BGN 249
364.29%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$501BGN 834
$230BGN 382
118.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,296BGN 2,157
$386BGN 643
235.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$910BGN 1,513
$353BGN 588
157.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,510BGN 7,502
$1,451BGN 2,414
210.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,161BGN 5,258
$1,167BGN 1,941
170.94%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sofia
Targovishte
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,674BGN 2,786
$1,296BGN 2,156
29.18%
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: May 30, 2026
Last update for Targovishte: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $696 in Sofia versus $150 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 $51.0 in Sofia versus $42.00 in Targovishte. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $261 vs $197 – 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 Targovishte compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,373 in Sofia, $856 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 $2,060 per month in Sofia and $1,284 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 $1,373 in Sofia and $856 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 Targovishte?
Public transport costs about 14% 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 $856, than in Sofia at $1,373. 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 $856 in Targovishte to $1,373 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.