Last update: Oct 2026 Bosnia and Herzegovina ⭐ Capital 271.2K

Cost of Living in Sarajevo

For one person, living costs in Sarajevo are estimated at $1,206 a month, including rent and utilities – 20% above the national average. Rent and utilities take more than a third of the total.

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Sarajevo

🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Sarajevo

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Sarajevo actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Living costs for one person come to about $1,206 monthly including rent, or $671 excluding housing.

$1,206 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,834 with rent, or $1,157 without housing.

$1,834 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,461 including rent, or $1,642 for daily expenses alone.

$2,461 /mo

Sarajevo sits about 13% below the global median. Within Europe, costs are well below average (31% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.61 BAM 14.97

$6.89 BAM 11.99

$14.36 BAM 24.97

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$39.25 BAM 68.3

$28.03 BAM 48.75

$56.1 BAM 97.5

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.40 BAM 14.60

$6.72 BAM 11.69

$10.08 BAM 17.53

Cappuccino

$2.34 BAM 4.07

$1.75 BAM 3.04

$2.92 BAM 5.08

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

$2.17 BAM 3.77

$1.69 BAM 2.95

$2.27 BAM 3.94

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.42 BAM 2.47

$1.13 BAM 1.96

$1.69 BAM 2.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.94 BAM 5.11

$2.35 BAM 4.09

$3.53 BAM 6.13

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.93 BAM 5.10

$2.35 BAM 4.08

$3.52 BAM 6.12

Milk (1 liter)

$1.21 BAM 2.11

$0.88 BAM 1.52

$1.46 BAM 2.53

White Bread (500g)

$1.17 BAM 2.04

$0.70 BAM 1.22

$1.41 BAM 2.45

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.10 BAM 3.65

$1.11 BAM 1.92

$2.78 BAM 4.83

Eggs

$3.10 BAM 5.39

$2.10 BAM 3.65

$4.19 BAM 7.28

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.27 BAM 17.86

$4.56 BAM 7.93

$22.81 BAM 39.67

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.46 BAM 12.96

$3.94 BAM 6.86

$8.45 BAM 14.70

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.45 BAM 25.13

$10.35 BAM 17.99

$17.24 BAM 29.97

Apples (1kg)

$1.41 BAM 2.45

$1.11 BAM 1.93

$1.66 BAM 2.89

Banana (1kg)

$1.67 BAM 2.91

$1.15 BAM 2.00

$2.02 BAM 3.51

Oranges (1kg)

$1.50 BAM 2.61

$0.84 BAM 1.47

$2.80 BAM 4.87

Tomato (1kg)

$2.05 BAM 3.56

$1.16 BAM 2.01

$2.90 BAM 5.04

Potato (1kg)

$0.94 BAM 1.64

$0.56 BAM 0.97

$1.41 BAM 2.44

Onion (1kg)

$1.11 BAM 1.93

$0.58 BAM 1.02

$1.75 BAM 3.05

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.12 BAM 1.94

$0.58 BAM 1.01

$1.74 BAM 3.02

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.73 BAM 1.27

$0.48 BAM 0.84

$1.19 BAM 2.07

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.89 BAM 6.76

$3.72 BAM 6.47

$3.95 BAM 6.86

Wine (Bottle)

$7.25 BAM 12.61

$5.22 BAM 9.08

$8.71 BAM 15.14

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.88 BAM 1.53

$0.67 BAM 1.16

$1.10 BAM 1.92

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.55 BAM 2.69

$1.05 BAM 1.82

$2.33 BAM 4.06

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.27 BAM 2.21

$1.15 BAM 2.00

$1.27 BAM 2.21

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$34.16 BAM 59.4

$28.47 BAM 49.51

$37.01 BAM 64.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.45 BAM 2.52

$1.16 BAM 2.01

$2.03 BAM 3.53

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.16 BAM 2.02

$0.88 BAM 1.52

$1.74 BAM 3.03

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.38 BAM 14.58

$13.98 BAM 24.31

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.73 BAM 3.01

$1.38 BAM 2.40

$1.98 BAM 3.44

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

$30.2K BAM 52.5K

$29.0K BAM 50.5K

$31.0K BAM 53.8K

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

$23.3K BAM 40.5K

$21.1K BAM 36.6K

$28.6K BAM 49.7K

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

$222 BAM 386

$175 BAM 304

$349 BAM 607

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

$14.05 BAM 24.44

$6.77 BAM 11.77

$16.92 BAM 29.41

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$27.44 BAM 47.72

$12.40 BAM 21.56

$33.81 BAM 58.8

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.33 BAM 70.1

$28.83 BAM 50.1

$51.3 BAM 89.3

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.64 BAM 34.16

$14.24 BAM 24.76

$19.93 BAM 34.66

Cinema Ticket

$6.90 BAM 12.01

$5.75 BAM 9.99

$8.63 BAM 15.00

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

$203 BAM 352

$135 BAM 234

$281 BAM 488

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,817 BAM 6,638

$1,693 BAM 2,944

$5,643 BAM 9,813

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$88.7 BAM 154

$37.63 BAM 65.4

$133 BAM 232

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.24 BAM 64.8

$16.83 BAM 29.27

$56.1 BAM 97.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.5 BAM 157

$62.9 BAM 109

$143 BAM 249

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$99.4 BAM 173

$56.8 BAM 98.8

$142 BAM 247

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$457 BAM 794

$374 BAM 650

$575 BAM 999

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$313 BAM 544

$260 BAM 451

$404 BAM 702

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,014 BAM 1,762

$874 BAM 1,520

$1,748 BAM 3,040

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$596 BAM 1,037

$465 BAM 808

$755 BAM 1,314

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,278 BAM 5,700

$2,742 BAM 4,768

$4,267 BAM 7,420

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,341 BAM 4,070

$1,836 BAM 3,193

$3,122 BAM 5,430

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,041 BAM 1,811

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.08

3.7

5.5

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

Last update: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Sarajevo $1,206

Accommodation & Living

$313 26%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$264 21.9%

Groceries & Markets

$230 19%

Eating Out

$157 13%

Clothing & Footwear

$142 11.8%

Sport & Entertainment

$54 4.5%

Getting Around

$47 3.9%

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $457 for a central one-bedroom, or $313 outside the center. At 44% of the average salary ($1,041), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,041, while typical expenses reach $1,206. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $230 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $39.00 for two – well below the European average of $73.0.

Public transport is priced at around $34.16 per month – among the cheapest in Europe (average $49.00).

Cost Highlights

Local beer is cheaper than 93% of cities in Europe

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is cheaper than 91% of cities in Europe

Meal at budget restaurant is cheaper than 90% of cities in Europe

Good to know

🕒 Local time

14:38 2:38 PM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

271,194 Capital

💱 Currency

Bosnia and Herzegovina Convertible Mark BAM KM

📈 Exchange rate

1 BAM = 0.575 USD

1 BAM = 0.512 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to BAM – Bosnia and Herzegovina Convertible Mark Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina Convertible Mark (KM)

Bosnia and Herzegovina Convertible Mark exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 1.74 BAM (1 BAM = 0.575 USD). 1 EUR = 1.95 BAM (1 BAM = 0.512 EUR).

USD to BAM in detail →

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Sarajevo Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Mbps

Fixed Broadband

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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🇪🇺 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 $1,206 including rent, or roughly $671 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

At around $1,206 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 $1,041 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 $313 to $457, 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 $40.33 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.

Expect to spend around $230 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 $1,206. 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 $1,206 per month including rent. It fits a wide range of remote salaries without compromising on comfort or connectivity.

Monthly expenses in Sarajevo run around $1,206, so putting money aside takes more than $1,809 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 $1,206 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.