Cost of Living Comparison Between Zagreb and Catania Cost of Living Comparison Between Zagreb and Catania

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,738 in Zagreb versus $1,435 in Catania.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,574 in Zagreb versus $2,209 in Catania.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,409 in Zagreb versus $2,983 in Catania.

Living in Zagreb is roughly 21% more expensive than Catania, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Zagreb 30% above, Catania 7% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Zagreb
Catania
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.78 €10.14
$17.39 €14.97
-32.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.1 €59.5
$70.7 €60.9
-2.23%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.49 €8.17
$11.71 €10.08
-18.96%
Cappuccino
$2.43 €2.09
$1.92 €1.65
26.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16 €2.72
$2.40 €2.07
31.67%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36 €2.03
$1.23 €1.06
91.87%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.67 €3.16
$5.49 €4.72
-33.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.67 €4.02
$3.44 €2.96
35.76%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Zagreb
Catania
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.35 €1.16
$1.44 €1.24
-6.25%
White Bread (500g)
$1.87 €1.61
$1.82 €1.56
2.75%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.66 €2.29
$2.53 €2.18
5.14%
Eggs
$3.65 €3.14
$3.09 €2.66
18.12%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.88 €9.37
$10.76 €9.26
1.12%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.92 €8.54
$11.33 €9.75
-12.44%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.72 €10.95
$16.41 €14.13
-22.49%
Apples (1kg)
$1.88 €1.62
$1.66 €1.43
13.25%
Banana (1kg)
$1.66 €1.43
$1.57 €1.35
5.73%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.98 €1.71
$1.46 €1.25
35.62%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.06 €2.64
$1.70 €1.46
80.00%
Potato (1kg)
$1.44 €1.24
$1.40 €1.21
2.86%
Onion (1kg)
$1.47 €1.26
$1.19 €1.03
23.53%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.30 €1.12
$0.84 €0.72
54.76%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.29 €1.11
$0.46 €0.40
180.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.76 €4.96
$6.53 €5.62
-11.79%
Wine (Bottle)
$9.49 €8.17
$7.97 €6.86
19.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84 €1.58
$1.93 €1.66
-4.66%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30 €1.98
$3.14 €2.70
-26.75%
🚌 Getting Around
Zagreb
Catania
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.64 €0.55
$1.70 €1.47
-62.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$57.0 €49.09
$28.97 €24.94
96.82%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.28 €1.97
$6.78 €5.83
-66.37%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.07 €0.92
$1.06 €0.91
0.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.12 €8.71
$29.30 €25.23
-65.46%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.79 €1.54
$2.05 €1.76
-12.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.1K €30.2K
$25.1K €21.6K
39.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K €22.5K
$25.3K €21.7K
3.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zagreb
Catania
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$208 €179
$213 €183
-2.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.19 €17.38
$14.71 €12.67
37.25%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.82 €28.25
$38.12 €32.82
-13.90%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Zagreb
Catania
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$50.7 €43.61
$59.4 €51.1
-14.69%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.47 €12.45
$17.91 €15.42
-19.21%
Cinema Ticket
$8.85 €7.62
$9.04 €7.78
-2.10%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Zagreb
Catania
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$501 €432
$450 €388
11.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$13.3K €11.4K
$6,937 €5,972
91.24%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Zagreb
Catania
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$98.3 €84.6
$77.7 €66.9
26.53%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.43 €33.95
$29.24 €25.17
34.85%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$98.2 €84.5
$88.3 €76.1
11.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$117 €100
$114 €98.5
1.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Zagreb
Catania
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$873 €751
$572 €493
52.41%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$662 €570
$390 €336
69.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,467 €1,263
$917 €790
59.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,079 €929
$680 €585
58.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,268 €4,535
$2,377 €2,046
121.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,255 €2,802
$1,570 €1,352
107.33%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Zagreb
Catania
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,886 €1,624
$1,916 €1,650
-1.55%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.72
4.59
-18.95%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Zagreb: June 2, 2026

Last update for Catania: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $873 in Zagreb and $572 in Catania. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Catania pays 2% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $69.0 in Zagreb vs $71.0 in Catania. Groceries flip the comparison at $281 vs $273, with Catania cheaper for home cooking.

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 Catania: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Catania cheaper than Zagreb?
Catania is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 21% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Zagreb or Catania?
On paper, Catania earns 2% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Zagreb and Catania?
Rent for a central apartment: $873 in Zagreb versus $572 in Catania. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Zagreb vs Catania?
All in, you'll spend $1,738 per month in Zagreb versus $1,435 in Catania – a 21% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Catania runs roughly 97% less than in Zagreb. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Zagreb or Catania?
At $1,435 in Catania versus $1,738 in Zagreb, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Catania but tight or insufficient in Zagreb. The gap between the two cities makes Catania the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Zagreb or Catania more family-friendly?
For families, Catania is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Zagreb, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Zagreb or Catania?
Safety-wise, Zagreb and Catania 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Catania gentler on the wallet – expenses run 21% less than in Zagreb. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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