Cost of Living in Sofia - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $738 (excluding rent), and $1,365 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,884 (excluding rent), and $2,872 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.9 BGN 19.99

$8.93 BGN 14.99

$17.85 BGN 29.98

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.9 BGN 85.4

$39.49 BGN 66.3

$71.8 BGN 121

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.66 BGN 14.55

$7.51 BGN 12.61

$11.55 BGN 19.4

Cappuccino

$2.69 BGN 4.51

$1.2 BGN 2.01

$3.59 BGN 6.02

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

$1.81 BGN 3.04

$1.15 BGN 1.93

$2.43 BGN 4.08

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.45 BGN 2.44

$1.19 BGN 2

$1.79 BGN 3

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.92 BGN 4.9

$1.75 BGN 2.94

$3.5 BGN 5.88

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.2 BGN 5.38

$2.33 BGN 3.92

$4.67 BGN 7.84

Milk (1 liter)

$1.96 BGN 3.28

$1.69 BGN 2.84

$2.29 BGN 3.85

White Bread (500g)

$1.2 BGN 2.02

$0.89 BGN 1.49

$1.79 BGN 3

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.98 BGN 3.32

$1.15 BGN 1.93

$2.88 BGN 4.83

Eggs

$3.96 BGN 6.65

$2.86 BGN 4.8

$4.65 BGN 7.8

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.39 BGN 20.8

$9.41 BGN 15.81

$17.65 BGN 29.65

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.57 BGN 14.38

$5.3 BGN 8.9

$11.78 BGN 19.78

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.99 BGN 21.82

$8.78 BGN 14.74

$17.55 BGN 29.48

Apples (1kg)

$1.88 BGN 3.16

$1.19 BGN 2

$2.38 BGN 3.99

Banana (1kg)

$1.99 BGN 3.34

$1.51 BGN 2.53

$2.84 BGN 4.77

Oranges (1kg)

$1.93 BGN 3.24

$1.16 BGN 1.94

$2.89 BGN 4.86

Tomato (1kg)

$2.82 BGN 4.73

$1.79 BGN 3.01

$3.59 BGN 6.02

Potato (1kg)

$1.1 BGN 1.85

$0.69 BGN 1.16

$1.72 BGN 2.89

Onion (1kg)

$1 BGN 1.69

$0.63 BGN 1.06

$1.72 BGN 2.88

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.17 BGN 1.96

$0.69 BGN 1.16

$1.72 BGN 2.89

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.71 BGN 1.19

$0.51 BGN 0.86

$1.21 BGN 2.04

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.75 BGN 6.31

$3.47 BGN 5.83

$4.05 BGN 6.8

Wine (Bottle)

$7.23 BGN 12.14

$5.79 BGN 9.72

$11.32 BGN 19

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 BGN 1.76

$0.73 BGN 1.22

$1.44 BGN 2.42

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 BGN 3.05

$1.2 BGN 2.02

$2.4 BGN 4.04

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.97 BGN 1.63

$1.22 BGN 2.05

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.89 BGN 50.2

$23.46 BGN 39.4

$35.87 BGN 60.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.49 BGN 2.49

$1.19 BGN 2

$1.85 BGN 3.11

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.78 BGN 1.31

$0.67 BGN 1.12

$1.1 BGN 1.85

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$14.03 BGN 23.56

$9.94 BGN 16.69

$17.54 BGN 29.45

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.51 BGN 2.53

$1.36 BGN 2.28

$1.61 BGN 2.71

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

$32.8K BGN 55.1K

$30K BGN 50.4K

$34.2K BGN 57.4K

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

$29K BGN 48.7K

$24.9K BGN 41.9K

$35.6K BGN 59.8K

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

$154 BGN 258

$107 BGN 180

$269 BGN 451

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

$17.74 BGN 29.8

$13.9 BGN 23.35

$23.17 BGN 38.92

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.45 BGN 25.94

$11.95 BGN 20.07

$23.9 BGN 40.14

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.04 BGN 74

$29.37 BGN 49.33

$59.9 BGN 101

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.33 BGN 35.82

$11.57 BGN 19.43

$28.93 BGN 48.58

Cinema Ticket

$9.31 BGN 15.63

$8.73 BGN 14.65

$11.63 BGN 19.54

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

$627 BGN 1,054

$466 BGN 782

$815 BGN 1,368

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,145 BGN 15.4K

$4,678 BGN 7,857

$17.5K BGN 29.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$71.4 BGN 120

$35.6 BGN 59.8

$131 BGN 219

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.84 BGN 60.2

$23.27 BGN 39.08

$46.54 BGN 78.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$106 BGN 178

$69.7 BGN 117

$163 BGN 273

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$121 BGN 203

$68.5 BGN 115

$180 BGN 303

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$670 BGN 1,126

$521 BGN 875

$868 BGN 1,458

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$517 BGN 868

$389 BGN 654

$719 BGN 1,207

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,249 BGN 2,097

$925 BGN 1,554

$1,735 BGN 2,914

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$897 BGN 1,506

$704 BGN 1,182

$1,265 BGN 2,125

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,118 BGN 6,915

$3,148 BGN 5,287

$4,769 BGN 8,009

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,583 BGN 4,338

$2,209 BGN 3,710

$3,566 BGN 5,989

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,607 BGN 2,698

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

3.09

2.5

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

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🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Sofia - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with many Western European capitals, Cost of Living in Sofia, Bulgaria offers a solid value for money. You can find well-located apartments that fit a range of budgets, with rentals often easier to secure than in bigger cities, and daily expenses for meals, transit, and services staying reasonable. Core neighborhoods bring walkable access to services, while areas a short ride away can save you considerably if you are budgeting for longer stays. The city supports a flexible pace for work and travel, plus a lively cafe and coworking scene. Tip: map a few neighborhoods by weekend strolls to test fit.

To gauge Sofia, Bulgaria living cost in daily life, you will notice a mix of options depending on where you live. Central districts offer short walks to markets, bakeries, and coffee corners, while outer areas bring more space for less money. When hunting for a place, start with local portals and short-term leases to test neighborhoods, then consider longer terms once you know your route to work or coworking. Groceries balance fresh markets with supermarkets; you will find seasonal produce you can cook at home. Transport runs on buses, trams, and a growing metro; a rechargeable card smooths everyday trips. Tip: scout at least two transit routes to compare convenience.

Quality of life in Sofia comes from a compact center, good public spaces, and a strong local scene. Create a simple budgeting framework: separate fixed costs from flexible ones, prioritize housing in a walkable area, then allocate for meals, transport, and small pleasures. Save by buying seasonal produce, using public transport, and choosing energy-efficient accommodations. Winters bring added heating needs, summers favor shade and parks, so plan gear accordingly. Neighborhood fit matters: if you want nightlife and international dining, look around central districts near universities; for quieter family vibes, consider leafy neighborhoods a quick ride from the core. Tip: test two different weeks in a few areas before deciding.