🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,081 in Sunny Beach versus $1,468 in Varna.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,619 in Sunny Beach versus $2,264 in Varna.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,157 in Sunny Beach versus $3,059 in Varna.
🌍Living in Sunny Beach costs roughly 26% less than in Varna, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Sunny Beach is 21% below, Varna is 7% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sunny Beach
Varna
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.41BGN 13.99
$14.11BGN 23.47
-40.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.69BGN 79.3
$61.8BGN 103
-22.77%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.04BGN 16.71
$10.71BGN 17.81
-6.26%
Cappuccino
$2.90BGN 4.82
$2.95BGN 4.90
-1.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76BGN 2.93
$1.93BGN 3.21
-8.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59BGN 2.64
$1.73BGN 2.87
-8.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.39BGN 3.98
$2.92BGN 4.86
-18.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76BGN 2.92
$3.80BGN 6.32
-53.68%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sunny Beach
Varna
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.80BGN 2.99
$1.98BGN 3.29
-9.09%
White Bread(500g)
$0.83BGN 1.38
$1.32BGN 2.19
-37.12%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.29BGN 3.80
$2.66BGN 4.42
-13.91%
Eggs
$3.88BGN 6.45
$3.59BGN 5.97
8.08%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.84BGN 14.70
$11.99BGN 19.94
-26.27%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.77BGN 14.58
$9.68BGN 16.11
-9.40%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.56BGN 24.21
$14.79BGN 24.61
-1.56%
Apples(1kg)
$1.78BGN 2.97
$1.98BGN 3.30
-10.10%
Banana(1kg)
$1.87BGN 3.12
$2.27BGN 3.77
-17.62%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.07BGN 3.45
$2.27BGN 3.78
-8.81%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.63BGN 4.37
$3.10BGN 5.15
-15.16%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13BGN 1.88
$1.37BGN 2.28
-17.52%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12BGN 1.87
$1.12BGN 1.86
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18BGN 1.96
$1.06BGN 1.76
11.32%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.75BGN 1.25
$0.80BGN 1.33
-6.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.05BGN 6.74
$4.23BGN 7.03
-4.26%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.31BGN 10.49
$9.09BGN 15.12
-30.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.22BGN 2.03
$1.19BGN 1.98
2.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05BGN 3.40
$1.87BGN 3.11
9.63%
🚌 Getting Around
Sunny Beach
Varna
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.16BGN 1.94
$1.14BGN 1.90
1.75%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$29.17BGN 48.53
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.33BGN 2.21
$1.52BGN 2.53
-12.50%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.63BGN 1.06
$0.91BGN 1.52
-30.77%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.88BGN 18.11
$12.55BGN 20.87
-13.31%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.59BGN 2.64
$1.73BGN 2.89
-8.09%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.1KBGN 51.8K
$30.7KBGN 51.1K
1.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2KBGN 42.0K
$26.3KBGN 43.8K
-4.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sunny Beach
Varna
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$117BGN 195
$182BGN 302
-35.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.67BGN 32.73
$21.15BGN 35.19
-7.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.78BGN 26.26
$17.25BGN 28.70
-8.52%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sunny Beach
Varna
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$54.4BGN 90.4
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$20.77BGN 34.55
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.42BGN 15.67
$9.03BGN 15.02
4.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sunny Beach
Varna
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$541BGN 899
$520BGN 865
4.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,768BGN 9,595
$6,550BGN 10.9K
-11.94%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sunny Beach
Varna
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$34.75BGN 57.8
$67.8BGN 113
-48.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.51BGN 72.4
$35.02BGN 58.3
24.24%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$98.4BGN 164
$104BGN 173
-5.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108BGN 179
$106BGN 176
1.67%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sunny Beach
Varna
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$600BGN 999
$644BGN 1,071
-6.72%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$362BGN 602
$480BGN 799
-24.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$708BGN 1,177
$1,307BGN 2,174
-45.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$543BGN 903
$932BGN 1,550
-41.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,397BGN 2,325
$3,351BGN 5,575
-58.30%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,168BGN 1,943
$2,215BGN 3,684
-47.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sunny Beach
Varna
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$962BGN 1,600
$1,240BGN 2,062
-22.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.1
2.93
5.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sunny Beach: August 30, 2026
Last update for Varna: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $600 in Sunny Beach and $644 in Varna. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Varna pays 29% 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: $48.00 in Sunny Beach vs $62.0 in Varna for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $249 vs $283 per month, with Sunny Beach 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
Sunny Beach vs Varna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Sunny Beach or Varna?
Sunny Beach wins on cost – living expenses run 36% lower than in Varna. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Sunny Beach the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Sunny Beach or in Varna?
On paper, salaries run 29% lower in Varna. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Sunny Beach compared to Varna?
Rent for a central apartment: $600 in Sunny Beach versus $644 in Varna. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Sunny Beach or in Varna?
Supermarket bills run roughly 14% higher in Varna. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Sunny Beach compared to Varna?
All in, you'll spend $1,081 per month in Sunny Beach versus $1,468 in Varna – a 36% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Sunny Beach or in Varna?
At $1,081 in Sunny Beach versus $1,468 in Varna, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Sunny Beach but tight or insufficient in Varna. The gap between the two cities makes Sunny Beach the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Sunny Beach or Varna?
Both work as nomad bases, but Sunny Beach delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,081 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Sunny Beach hard to pass up.
How safe is Sunny Beach compared to Varna?
Safety-wise, Sunny Beach 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Sunny Beach gentler on the wallet – expenses run 36% less than in Varna. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Sunny Beach vs other spots: cost of living compared