😐A single person spends $1,441 per month in Varna vs $677 in Kardzhali, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,310 per month in Varna vs $1,099 in Kardzhali, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,179 per month in Varna vs $1,520 in Kardzhali, rent included.
😐Varna costs about 113% more than Kardzhali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Varna sits 5% above the global median, while Kardzhali is 50% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Varna
Kardzhali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.06BGN 23.39
$11.65BGN 19.38
20.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.4BGN 101
$23.94BGN 39.82
152.34%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.73BGN 17.85
$9.21BGN 15.33
16.50%
Cappuccino
$2.93BGN 4.88
$1.15BGN 1.91
154.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88BGN 3.12
$1.11BGN 1.85
69.37%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65BGN 2.75
$0.76BGN 1.26
117.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.01BGN 5.00
$1.68BGN 2.80
79.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.77BGN 6.27
$1.37BGN 2.28
175.18%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Varna
Kardzhali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.95BGN 3.24
$1.69BGN 2.81
15.38%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25BGN 2.07
$0.74BGN 1.22
68.92%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.76BGN 4.59
$1.54BGN 2.56
79.22%
Eggs
$3.61BGN 6.00
$3.08BGN 5.13
17.21%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.70BGN 19.47
$9.14BGN 15.20
28.01%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.25BGN 15.38
$5.80BGN 9.65
59.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.84BGN 24.69
$7.05BGN 11.72
110.50%
Apples(1kg)
$1.97BGN 3.27
$0.87BGN 1.44
126.44%
Banana(1kg)
$2.16BGN 3.60
$2.03BGN 3.37
6.40%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.29BGN 3.81
$1.93BGN 3.21
18.65%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.17BGN 5.27
$2.30BGN 3.82
37.83%
Potato(1kg)
$1.35BGN 2.24
$0.70BGN 1.17
92.86%
Onion(1kg)
$1.13BGN 1.87
$1.29BGN 2.14
-12.40%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.05BGN 1.75
$0.70BGN 1.17
50.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.78BGN 1.30
$0.83BGN 1.39
-6.02%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.11BGN 6.83
$3.75BGN 6.24
9.60%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.85BGN 14.72
$4.63BGN 7.71
91.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.21BGN 2.01
$1.04BGN 1.74
16.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.83BGN 3.05
$1.48BGN 2.47
23.65%
🚌 Getting Around
Varna
Kardzhali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.06BGN 1.77
$0.56BGN 0.93
89.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.00BGN 49.90
$11.46BGN 19.07
161.78%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.65BGN 2.75
$1.81BGN 3.01
-8.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.88BGN 1.46
$0.80BGN 1.34
10.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.56BGN 20.90
$5.80BGN 9.65
116.55%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.74BGN 2.89
$1.59BGN 2.65
9.43%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.8KBGN 51.3K
$30.6KBGN 51.0K
0.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3KBGN 43.8K
$23.3KBGN 38.8K
12.70%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Varna
Kardzhali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$179BGN 298
$62.8BGN 105
184.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.16BGN 35.21
$5.91BGN 9.83
258.04%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.42BGN 28.98
$8.18BGN 13.62
112.96%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Varna
Kardzhali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.5BGN 89.1
$23.88BGN 39.73
124.20%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.73BGN 34.49
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.98BGN 14.95
$8.90BGN 14.81
0.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Varna
Kardzhali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$517BGN 859
$233BGN 387
121.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,405BGN 10.7K
$15.0KBGN 25.0K
-57.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Varna
Kardzhali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.2BGN 110
$23.50BGN 39.09
181.83%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.07BGN 58.3
$12.94BGN 21.53
171.02%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$105BGN 174
$47.12BGN 78.4
122.41%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105BGN 175
$75.4BGN 125
39.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Varna
Kardzhali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$649BGN 1,080
$119BGN 197
447.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$487BGN 809
$119BGN 197
310.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,360BGN 2,263
$236BGN 392
476.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$933BGN 1,552
$282BGN 468
231.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,250BGN 5,407
$1,192BGN 1,983
172.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,145BGN 3,569
$872BGN 1,450
146.11%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Varna
Kardzhali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,272BGN 2,116
$1,349BGN 2,244
-5.73%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2.9
3.25
-10.77%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Varna: September 14, 2026
Last update for Kardzhali: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $649 in Varna versus $119 in Kardzhali. 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 6% higher in Kardzhali, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $60.0 in Varna versus $24.00 in Kardzhali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $278 vs $191 – making Kardzhali 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
Varna vs Kardzhali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Varna or Kardzhali?
Varna costs about 113% more than Kardzhali, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Varna and in Kardzhali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,162 per month in Varna and $1,016 in Kardzhali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Varna or Kardzhali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kardzhali, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Varna compared to Kardzhali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,441 in Varna and $677 in Kardzhali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How expensive is transport in Varna compared to Kardzhali?
Public transport costs about 162% less in Kardzhali. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Varna or in Kardzhali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Kardzhali, where all-in costs run around $677, than in Varna at $1,441. In Kardzhali it covers expenses comfortably, while in Varna it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Varna or Kardzhali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Kardzhali costs $677 versus $1,441 in Varna. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Varna compared to Kardzhali?
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.
Should I move to Varna or to Kardzhali?
If budget matters most, go with Kardzhali. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Varna makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.