🙂A single person spends $1,246 per month in Zabljak vs $1,300 in Podgorica, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,848 per month in Zabljak vs $2,005 in Podgorica, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,451 per month in Zabljak vs $2,710 in Podgorica, rent included.
🙂Zabljak is about 4% cheaper than Podgorica, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Zabljak and Podgorica are more affordable than the global median – Zabljak7% lower, Podgorica3% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Zabljak
Podgorica
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.14€6.94
$9.76€8.33
-16.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.49€27.71
$45.48€38.79
-28.56%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.99€5.96
$9.28€7.92
-24.68%
Cappuccino
$1.77€1.51
$2.12€1.81
-16.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24€1.91
$2.35€2.01
-4.68%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42€1.21
$1.39€1.18
2.16%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.23€2.76
$2.96€2.52
9.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.81€3.25
$3.48€2.97
9.48%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Zabljak
Podgorica
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.42€1.21
$1.36€1.16
4.41%
White Bread(500g)
$0.66€0.56
$1.03€0.88
-35.92%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.42€1.21
$2.37€2.02
-40.08%
Eggs
$3.09€2.64
$3.23€2.76
-4.33%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.33€6.25
$8.74€7.45
-16.13%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.53€6.42
$8.05€6.87
-6.46%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.63€9.92
$12.17€10.39
-4.44%
Apples(1kg)
$1.24€1.06
$1.53€1.31
-18.95%
Banana(1kg)
$1.75€1.49
$1.81€1.55
-3.31%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.60€1.37
$1.67€1.42
-4.19%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.53€1.31
$2.49€2.13
-38.55%
Potato(1kg)
$0.72€0.62
$0.96€0.82
-25.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.71€0.60
$1.11€0.95
-36.04%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.95€0.81
$1.91€1.63
-50.26%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.22€1.04
$0.79€0.68
54.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.08€3.48
$4.14€3.53
-1.45%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.83€4.12
$5.97€5.10
-19.10%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23€1.05
$1.09€0.93
12.84%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79€1.53
$1.81€1.55
-1.10%
🚌 Getting Around
Zabljak
Podgorica
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.43€1.22
$1.05€0.90
36.19%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$38.21€32.59
$34.74€29.63
9.99%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.14€0.97
$0.67€0.57
70.15%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.59€0.50
$0.70€0.60
-15.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.68€15.08
$11.76€10.03
50.34%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.79€1.52
$1.75€1.49
2.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K€25.5K
$28.8K€24.6K
3.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K€22.8K
$33.0K€28.2K
-19.19%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zabljak
Podgorica
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$118€101
$113€96.8
3.99%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.57€15.84
$18.45€15.74
0.65%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.78€19.43
$32.49€27.71
-29.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Zabljak
Podgorica
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.86€38.26
$44.66€38.09
0.45%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.55€12.41
$13.77€11.74
5.66%
Cinema Ticket
$5.73€4.89
$5.96€5.09
-3.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Zabljak
Podgorica
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$422€360
$289€247
45.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.1K€8,581
$7,340€6,261
37.06%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Zabljak
Podgorica
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.75€19.40
$82.6€70.4
-72.44%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.26€24.96
$44.63€38.07
-34.44%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$59.0€50.3
$93.7€79.9
-37.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.4€60.0
$112€95.6
-37.18%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Zabljak
Podgorica
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$720€615
$630€538
14.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$545€464
$490€418
11.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,278€1,090
$1,159€989
10.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$917€782
$864€737
6.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,935€3,357
$3,087€2,634
27.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,628€2,241
$2,282€1,946
15.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Zabljak
Podgorica
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$856€730
$1,170€998
-26.84%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.93
5.73
3.49%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Zabljak: April 21, 2026
Last update for Podgorica: April 19, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $720 in Zabljak versus $630 in Podgorica. 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 37% higher in Podgorica, 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 $32 in Zabljak versus $45 in Podgorica. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $206 vs $230 – making Zabljak 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
Zabljak vs Podgorica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Zabljak and Podgorica compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,246 in Zabljak, $1,300 in Podgorica – roughly 4% apart. Podgorica costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Zabljak compared to Podgorica?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,868 per month in Zabljak and $1,950 in Podgorica. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Zabljak and Podgorica?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Zabljak, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Zabljak and Podgorica?
Kindergarten costs $422 per month in Zabljak and $289 in Podgorica. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 12% more in Podgorica, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Zabljak, where all-in costs run around $1,246, than in Podgorica at $1,300. In Zabljak it covers expenses comfortably, while in Podgorica it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Zabljak or Podgorica?
Families tend to lean toward Zabljak – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is Zabljak or Podgorica 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 Zabljak and Podgorica?
If budget matters most, go with Zabljak. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Podgorica makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.