😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,738 in Zagreb versus $1,483 in Bjelovar.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,574 in Zagreb versus $2,282 in Bjelovar.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,409 in Zagreb versus $3,081 in Bjelovar.
😐Living in Zagreb is roughly 17% more expensive than Bjelovar, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Zagreb30% above, Bjelovar11% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Zagreb
Bjelovar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.78€10.13
$12.57€10.81
-6.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.1€59.5
$69.7€59.9
-0.80%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.49€8.16
$10.23€8.80
-7.23%
Cappuccino
$2.43€2.09
$2.34€2.01
3.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16€2.72
$3.59€3.09
-11.98%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36€2.03
$2.21€1.90
6.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.67€3.16
$4.37€3.76
-16.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.67€4.01
$4.67€4.02
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Zagreb
Bjelovar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.35€1.16
$1.19€1.02
13.45%
White Bread(500g)
$1.87€1.61
$1.61€1.39
16.15%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.66€2.28
$4.08€3.51
-34.80%
Eggs
$3.65€3.14
$3.48€2.99
4.89%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.88€9.36
$16.31€14.03
-33.29%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.92€8.54
$10.86€9.35
-8.66%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.72€10.94
$14.59€12.55
-12.82%
Apples(1kg)
$1.88€1.62
$1.59€1.37
18.24%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66€1.43
$1.64€1.41
1.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.98€1.71
$1.69€1.46
17.16%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.06€2.64
$2.55€2.19
20.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.44€1.24
$1.23€1.05
17.07%
Onion(1kg)
$1.47€1.26
$1.27€1.09
15.75%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.30€1.12
$1.13€0.97
15.04%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.29€1.11
$1.17€1.01
10.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.76€4.96
$5.84€5.03
-1.37%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.49€8.16
$8.55€7.35
10.99%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84€1.58
$1.53€1.32
20.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30€1.98
$2.08€1.79
10.58%
🚌 Getting Around
Zagreb
Bjelovar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.64€0.55
$1.76€1.51
-63.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$57.0€49.05
$43.62€37.52
30.72%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.28€1.96
$3.04€2.62
-25.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.07€0.92
$1.37€1.18
-21.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.12€8.70
$8.85€7.61
14.35%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.79€1.54
$1.63€1.41
9.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.1K€30.2K
$38.3K€32.9K
-8.41%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K€22.5K
$26.2K€22.5K
0.03%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zagreb
Bjelovar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$208€179
$187€161
10.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.19€17.37
$22.54€19.39
-10.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.82€28.23
$33.88€29.15
-3.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Zagreb
Bjelovar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$50.7€43.58
$51.7€44.51
-2.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.47€12.44
$14.86€12.78
-2.62%
Cinema Ticket
$8.85€7.61
$9.47€8.15
-6.55%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Zagreb
Bjelovar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$501€431
$285€245
75.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.3K€11.4K
$8,226€7,076
61.27%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Zagreb
Bjelovar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$98.3€84.5
$56.8€48.85
73.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.43€33.92
$35.36€30.41
11.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$98.2€84.5
$102€88.0
-3.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$117€100
$105€90.5
10.81%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Zagreb
Bjelovar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$873€751
$654€562
33.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$662€569
$468€403
41.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,467€1,262
$1,024€881
43.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,079€928
$760€654
41.88%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,268€4,531
$3,797€3,266
38.73%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,255€2,800
$3,051€2,625
6.69%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Zagreb
Bjelovar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,886€1,623
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.72
4.63
-19.65%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Zagreb: June 2, 2026
Last update for Bjelovar: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $873 in Zagreb and $654 in Bjelovar. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $69.0 in Zagreb vs $70.0 in Bjelovar for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $281 vs $296 per month, with Zagreb 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
Zagreb vs Bjelovar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Zagreb and Bjelovar?
Zagreb and Bjelovar differ by about 17% in total monthly costs ($1,738 vs $1,483 including rent). Bjelovar is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Zagreb compared to Bjelovar?
You'd need roughly $2,607 in Zagreb and $2,225 in Bjelovar to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Zagreb and Bjelovar?
Rent for a central apartment: $873 in Zagreb versus $654 in Bjelovar. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Bjelovar – a meal for two runs $70.0 versus $69.0 in Zagreb. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Zagreb or Bjelovar?
All in, you'll spend $1,738 per month in Zagreb versus $1,483 in Bjelovar – a 17% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,483 in Bjelovar versus $1,738 in Zagreb, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Bjelovar but tight or insufficient in Zagreb. The gap between the two cities makes Bjelovar the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Zagreb and Bjelovar?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Zagreb or Bjelovar safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Zagreb and Bjelovar are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Zagreb or Bjelovar?
Expats usually find Bjelovar gentler on the wallet – expenses run 17% less than in Zagreb. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.