Cost of Living in Sarajevo - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,176 monthly including rent, or $669 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,784 with rent, or $1,143 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,393 including rent, or $1,617 for daily expenses alone.

Sarajevo sits 12–16% below the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are well below average (35% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.14 BAM 12.21

$5.95 BAM 10.17

$11.89 BAM 20.34

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.96 BAM 61.5

$27.57 BAM 47.15

$59.9 BAM 103

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.80 BAM 15.05

$7.04 BAM 12.04

$9.38 BAM 16.05

Cappuccino

$2.07 BAM 3.54

$1.45 BAM 2.48

$2.91 BAM 4.98

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

$2.02 BAM 3.45

$1.75 BAM 3.00

$2.92 BAM 4.99

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.39 BAM 2.38

$1.19 BAM 2.03

$1.78 BAM 3.05

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.73 BAM 4.67

$1.82 BAM 3.12

$4.25 BAM 7.27

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.39 BAM 4.09

$2.09 BAM 3.57

$3.59 BAM 6.13

Milk (1 liter)

$1.41 BAM 2.41

$1.08 BAM 1.84

$1.80 BAM 3.07

White Bread (500g)

$1.21 BAM 2.07

$0.75 BAM 1.29

$1.73 BAM 2.96

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.04 BAM 3.49

$1.69 BAM 2.90

$2.87 BAM 4.91

Eggs

$3.25 BAM 5.56

$2.13 BAM 3.65

$4.28 BAM 7.32

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.46 BAM 17.90

$4.16 BAM 7.11

$14.85 BAM 25.39

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.84 BAM 15.12

$6.65 BAM 11.37

$10.88 BAM 18.61

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.24 BAM 22.64

$8.76 BAM 14.99

$20.43 BAM 34.95

Apples (1kg)

$1.55 BAM 2.65

$1.20 BAM 2.06

$1.80 BAM 3.08

Banana (1kg)

$1.86 BAM 3.18

$1.49 BAM 2.54

$2.38 BAM 4.08

Oranges (1kg)

$2.08 BAM 3.55

$1.15 BAM 1.96

$3.02 BAM 5.16

Tomato (1kg)

$2.30 BAM 3.94

$1.10 BAM 1.89

$4.07 BAM 6.96

Potato (1kg)

$1.12 BAM 1.92

$0.57 BAM 0.98

$1.81 BAM 3.09

Onion (1kg)

$1.21 BAM 2.08

$0.76 BAM 1.30

$2.43 BAM 4.15

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.27 BAM 2.18

$0.90 BAM 1.53

$2.40 BAM 4.11

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.81 BAM 1.38

$0.59 BAM 1.00

$1.24 BAM 2.11

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.77 BAM 6.44

$3.64 BAM 6.23

$4.25 BAM 7.27

Wine (Bottle)

$8.00 BAM 13.68

$5.71 BAM 9.77

$11.43 BAM 19.56

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 BAM 1.80

$0.70 BAM 1.20

$1.45 BAM 2.47

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.28 BAM 2.19

$0.70 BAM 1.20

$1.75 BAM 3.00

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.03 BAM 1.76

$1.32 BAM 2.26

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$31.73 BAM 54.3

$29.94 BAM 51.2

$35.93 BAM 61.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.49 BAM 2.56

$1.20 BAM 2.05

$1.49 BAM 2.56

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.77 BAM 1.32

$0.62 BAM 1.06

$1.03 BAM 1.77

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.63 BAM 14.76

$6.91 BAM 11.81

$11.51 BAM 19.68

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.49 BAM 2.55

$1.39 BAM 2.38

$1.66 BAM 2.84

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

$26.6K BAM 45.5K

$23.6K BAM 40.4K

$29.5K BAM 50.5K

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

$25.8K BAM 44.2K

$23.4K BAM 40.1K

$26.4K BAM 45.2K

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

$202 BAM 346

$132 BAM 225

$479 BAM 819

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

$19.03 BAM 32.55

$11.97 BAM 20.46

$29.90 BAM 51.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$32.94 BAM 56.3

$29.31 BAM 50.1

$46.90 BAM 80.2

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.14 BAM 60.1

$29.14 BAM 49.85

$46.63 BAM 79.8

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.26 BAM 27.81

$8.72 BAM 14.91

$23.23 BAM 39.73

Cinema Ticket

$7.20 BAM 12.31

$5.40 BAM 9.23

$12.00 BAM 20.52

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

$258 BAM 441

$179 BAM 307

$299 BAM 512

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,394 BAM 5,805

$2,372 BAM 4,056

$4,743 BAM 8,112

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$91.6 BAM 157

$47.26 BAM 80.8

$148 BAM 253

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.77 BAM 64.6

$23.87 BAM 40.82

$59.7 BAM 102

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$108 BAM 184

$69.9 BAM 119

$146 BAM 249

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$101 BAM 172

$58.5 BAM 100

$176 BAM 300

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$436 BAM 746

$297 BAM 507

$593 BAM 1,014

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$303 BAM 519

$233 BAM 399

$379 BAM 648

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$892 BAM 1,525

$588 BAM 1,006

$1,471 BAM 2,515

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$580 BAM 992

$405 BAM 693

$868 BAM 1,485

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,245 BAM 5,551

$2,857 BAM 4,886

$4,446 BAM 7,603

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,315 BAM 3,959

$1,863 BAM 3,186

$3,456 BAM 5,910

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,042 BAM 1,781

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

3.8

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

Last update: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $436 for a central one-bedroom, or $303 outside the center. At 42% of the average salary ($1,042), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,042, while typical expenses reach $1,176. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $246 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $36.00 for two – well below the European average of $75.0.

Public transport is priced at around $31.73 per month – among the cheapest in Europe (average $48.00).

Cost Highlights

Meal at budget restaurant is cheaper than 95% of cities in Europe

Imported beer is cheaper than 94% of cities in Europe

Sarajevo Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Sarajevo - Frequently Asked Questions

Overall, affordability in Sarajevo tends to be favorable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who plan ahead. You will find a range of lodging options that fit modest budgets, from shared apartments to compact studios, plus inexpensive local food that helps you keep daily costs reasonable. Public transport is reliable and affordable, making it easy to explore the city without a car. Cultural attractions and outdoor spaces offer rich experiences at low or moderate prices, though imported goods and tourist hotspots can push costs during peak seasons. Cost of Living in Sarajevo, Bosnia And Herzegovina can feel accessible if you tailor housing, food pickup, and transit to your routine. Tip: set a predictable monthly cap and adjust seasonally.

Daily life in Sarajevo blends affordability with rich local offerings. When you search for housing, start in Centar, Marijin Dvor, or Novo Sarajevo for convenience, then explore Bistrik or Alipasino Polje for better value. Food options range from bustling pijace (markets) and bakeries to traditional cevabdzinice, often delivering good quality at low costs. Public transport, including trams, buses, and occasional taxis, covers the city well and helps you move without a car. For coworking and errands, look for shared spaces near your residence and local libraries. Sarajevo living cost can shift with seasonality, so build a flexible weekly plan and keep a small buffer for surprises. Tip: use transit passes and time your grocery runs to market days.

Quality of life in Sarajevo rewards those who build a practical budgeting framework and choose a neighborhood that fits your rhythm. Start with a simple plan: housing and utilities, groceries and eating out, transport, and personal spend, then adjust with the seasons. In winter, you will notice cooling/heating needs and perhaps more indoor activities; in summer, outdoor cafes and events pick up. For saving, favor homes with good insulation, cook at home, and buy seasonal produce from markets. Neighborhood fit matters: Old Town offers walkability and culture, while newer districts can offer quieter streets and lower rents. Tip: try a three-month trial of a few areas to gauge daily rhythms and safety.

As of 2026, monthly living costs in Sarajevo come to around $1,176 including rent, or roughly $669 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

At around $1,176 monthly all-in, Sarajevo offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.

The typical net salary in Sarajevo lands around $1,042 monthly. Some sectors pay significantly more, but this number gives you a realistic sense of what most full-time workers earn and how far it stretches against local costs.

Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Sarajevo range from $303 to $436, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.

A regular gym membership in Sarajevo costs around $35.14 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.

Expect to spend around $246 per month on groceries in Sarajevo. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.

Living on $1,000 in Sarajevo means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,176. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.

Remote workers pick Sarajevo for good reason: low crime rates, vibrant nightlife, remote work facilities, all at about $1,176 per month including rent. It fits a wide range of remote salaries without compromising on comfort or connectivity.

Monthly expenses in Sarajevo run around $1,176, so putting money aside takes more than $1,764 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

Budget travel in Sarajevo works but takes effort. Hostels, street food, and local restaurants keep daily costs reasonable. All-in monthly expenses run about $1,176 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.