Cost of Living in Ruse - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $546 (excluding rent), and $942 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,306 (excluding rent), and $2,017 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.44 BGN 17.53

$8.12 BGN 13.63

$17.39 BGN 29.21

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.62 BGN 59.8

$29.68 BGN 49.85

$71.2 BGN 120

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.9 BGN 13.26

$6.44 BGN 10.81

$11.71 BGN 19.66

Cappuccino

$1.66 BGN 2.78

$1.15 BGN 1.93

$3.45 BGN 5.79

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.5 BGN 2.51

$0.99 BGN 1.67

$2.34 BGN 3.93

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.84 BGN 1.41

$0.56 BGN 0.94

$1.68 BGN 2.83

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.82 BGN 3.06

$0.91 BGN 1.52

$3.64 BGN 6.12

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.9 BGN 4.88

$2.03 BGN 3.41

$4.65 BGN 7.81

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 BGN 2.77

$1.61 BGN 2.7

$2.18 BGN 3.67

White Bread (500g)

$0.93 BGN 1.55

$0.45 BGN 0.75

$1.69 BGN 2.84

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.01 BGN 3.38

$1.17 BGN 1.96

$2.92 BGN 4.91

Eggs

$2.62 BGN 4.4

$1.94 BGN 3.26

$4.51 BGN 7.58

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.47 BGN 15.91

$8.88 BGN 14.91

$17.76 BGN 29.83

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.14 BGN 13.68

$5.43 BGN 9.12

$12.07 BGN 20.28

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.17 BGN 22.12

$8.87 BGN 14.9

$17.74 BGN 29.8

Apples (1kg)

$1.39 BGN 2.34

$1.16 BGN 1.94

$2.31 BGN 3.88

Banana (1kg)

$1.85 BGN 3.1

$1.46 BGN 2.45

$2.75 BGN 4.62

Oranges (1kg)

$1.99 BGN 3.34

$1.19 BGN 2

$2.97 BGN 5

Tomato (1kg)

$2.09 BGN 3.52

$1.8 BGN 3.02

$3.6 BGN 6.05

Potato (1kg)

$1.1 BGN 1.85

$0.69 BGN 1.16

$1.73 BGN 2.9

Onion (1kg)

$1.06 BGN 1.78

$0.67 BGN 1.12

$1.81 BGN 3.03

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.22 BGN 2.05

$0.72 BGN 1.22

$1.8 BGN 3.03

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.67 BGN 1.13

$0.49 BGN 0.82

$1.15 BGN 1.93

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.51 BGN 5.89

$4.09 BGN 6.87

Wine (Bottle)

$6.59 BGN 11.07

$6 BGN 10.07

$11.72 BGN 19.68

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 BGN 1.76

$0.72 BGN 1.21

$1.73 BGN 2.91

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.2 BGN 2.02

$2.41 BGN 4.04

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.9 BGN 1.51

$1.09 BGN 1.82

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$16.39 BGN 27.53

$14.91 BGN 25.03

$17.89 BGN 30.04

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.43 BGN 2.4

$1.15 BGN 1.92

$1.78 BGN 2.99

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.62 BGN 1.03

$0.41 BGN 0.69

$0.78 BGN 1.31

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.61 BGN 17.82

$8.64 BGN 14.51

$17.99 BGN 30.22

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.55 BGN 2.61

$1.41 BGN 2.37

$1.68 BGN 2.81

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$31.7K BGN 53.2K

$29K BGN 48.7K

$33.1K BGN 55.5K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$29K BGN 48.7K

$25K BGN 41.9K

$35.7K BGN 59.9K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$102 BGN 171

$89.6 BGN 151

$269 BGN 452

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$17.01 BGN 28.57

$13.93 BGN 23.39

$23.21 BGN 38.98

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$14.88 BGN 24.99

$11.9 BGN 19.99

$23.8 BGN 39.98

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$32.95 BGN 55.3

$20.97 BGN 35.22

$38.94 BGN 65.4

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$8.91 BGN 14.96

Cinema Ticket

$5.8 BGN 9.74

$4.64 BGN 7.79

$11.6 BGN 19.48

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$621 BGN 1,042

$464 BGN 779

$783 BGN 1,314

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,204 BGN 15.5K

$4,709 BGN 7,908

$17.7K BGN 29.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.6 BGN 90

$35.71 BGN 60

$131 BGN 220

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.42 BGN 49.41

$23.54 BGN 39.53

$47.07 BGN 79.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$74.8 BGN 126

$71.8 BGN 121

$167 BGN 281

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$88.2 BGN 148

$67.1 BGN 113

$176 BGN 296

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$291 BGN 488

$207 BGN 348

$533 BGN 895

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$235 BGN 395

$145 BGN 243

$347 BGN 583

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$544 BGN 913

$358 BGN 600

$1,049 BGN 1,762

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$416 BGN 698

$300 BGN 503

$719 BGN 1,208

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,614 BGN 2,711

$1,411 BGN 2,370

$1,841 BGN 3,091

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,201 BGN 2,016

$1,015 BGN 1,705

$1,402 BGN 2,354

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$994 BGN 1,669

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

3.1

2.5

5.7

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Ruse - Frequently Asked Questions

Ruse offers a balanced mix of affordability and accessibility for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Cost of Living in Ruse, Bulgaria is generally favorable for a comfortable, budget aware setup. You’ll find affordable housing options, with older apartments providing character and space at reasonable rents, and newer builds offering modern comfort at a still approachable price. Dining and groceries present a wide range from traditional taverns to casual cafes, letting your everyday costs fit your pace. Transport is simple and inexpensive, with reliable buses and walkable riverfront neighborhoods. Seasonal tourism may shift some prices for services, but core essentials stay accessible. Tip: test a few neighborhoods online before committing to a lease.

For daily life, you’ll navigate a city centered on the Danube with accessible options for housing, food, and transport. When searching for a place, start with central neighborhoods for walkability and river views; expand to quieter residential areas for space and lower rents. Use local portals and reliable agencies, and budget for a flexible lease term. Groceries come from markets and shops offering seasonal produce, while restaurants range from rustic taverns to modern cafes. Buses connect districts, and walking or cycling is pleasant along the riverfront. Ruse, Bulgaria living cost varies by area, so compare a few options before you sign. Tip: visit at different times of day to gauge noise and convenience.

Quality of life in Ruse comes from balance, pace, and access. A simple budgeting framework helps you adapt: set aside essential costs, allocate a comfortable portion to housing and utilities, and reserve funds for occasional experiences like riverfront walks or weekend markets. Save by cooking at home, shopping in local markets, and choosing transit over ride-hailing when possible. If you are sensitive to seasonal shifts, plan heating or cooling needs and consider neighborhoods with tree shade and river breezes. For neighborhood fit, prioritize areas with easy access to the old town, walkable streets, and cafes that suit your routine. Tip: map out your daily routes to minimize backtracking and time waste.