Cost of Living in Sofia - Updated Prices & Insights

53.61

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $729 (excluding rent), and $1,407 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,820 (excluding rent), and $2,881 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.67 BGN 19.69

$8.75 BGN 14.77

$17.51 BGN 29.53

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.2 BGN 84.7

$38.96 BGN 65.7

$70.8 BGN 120

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.67 BGN 14.62

$7.51 BGN 12.67

$11.56 BGN 19.5

Cappuccino

$2.62 BGN 4.41

$1.16 BGN 1.96

$3.49 BGN 5.89

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

$1.77 BGN 2.99

$1.13 BGN 1.9

$2.37 BGN 4

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.4 BGN 2.37

$1.15 BGN 1.94

$1.72 BGN 2.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.98 BGN 5.02

$1.79 BGN 3.01

$3.57 BGN 6.03

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.2 BGN 5.39

$2.33 BGN 3.93

$4.66 BGN 7.85

Milk (1 liter)

$1.97 BGN 3.32

$1.7 BGN 2.86

$2.31 BGN 3.89

White Bread (500g)

$1.17 BGN 1.97

$0.86 BGN 1.46

$1.74 BGN 2.93

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.98 BGN 3.35

$1.15 BGN 1.95

$2.88 BGN 4.86

Eggs

$3.86 BGN 6.5

$2.78 BGN 4.7

$4.52 BGN 7.63

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.63 BGN 21.3

$9.6 BGN 16.19

$17.99 BGN 30.35

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.54 BGN 14.41

$5.28 BGN 8.92

$11.74 BGN 19.81

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.21 BGN 22.28

$8.92 BGN 15.05

$17.84 BGN 30.1

Apples (1kg)

$1.92 BGN 3.24

$1.21 BGN 2.05

$2.43 BGN 4.09

Banana (1kg)

$1.88 BGN 3.18

$1.43 BGN 2.41

$2.69 BGN 4.53

Oranges (1kg)

$1.91 BGN 3.23

$1.15 BGN 1.93

$2.87 BGN 4.84

Tomato (1kg)

$2.7 BGN 4.56

$1.72 BGN 2.9

$3.44 BGN 5.8

Potato (1kg)

$1.11 BGN 1.88

$0.7 BGN 1.18

$1.75 BGN 2.95

Onion (1kg)

$1.01 BGN 1.7

$0.64 BGN 1.07

$1.72 BGN 2.91

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.22 BGN 2.07

$0.72 BGN 1.22

$1.81 BGN 3.05

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.66 BGN 1.11

$0.48 BGN 0.8

$1.12 BGN 1.9

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.8 BGN 6.42

$3.52 BGN 5.93

$4.1 BGN 6.92

Wine (Bottle)

$7.81 BGN 13.18

$6.01 BGN 10.13

$10.81 BGN 18.24

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.04 BGN 1.76

$0.72 BGN 1.22

$1.44 BGN 2.42

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.76 BGN 2.97

$1.17 BGN 1.97

$2.33 BGN 3.93

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.91 BGN 1.53

$1.14 BGN 1.92

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.02 BGN 50.7

$23.56 BGN 39.75

$36.03 BGN 60.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.51 BGN 2.54

$1.21 BGN 2.04

$1.88 BGN 3.17

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.73 BGN 1.23

$0.62 BGN 1.05

$1.03 BGN 1.74

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.98 BGN 23.58

$9.9 BGN 16.7

$17.47 BGN 29.47

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.53 BGN 2.58

$1.38 BGN 2.33

$1.64 BGN 2.76

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

$31.9K BGN 53.9K

$29.2K BGN 49.3K

$33.3K BGN 56.2K

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

$29.3K BGN 49.5K

$25.2K BGN 42.5K

$36K BGN 60.8K

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

$151 BGN 254

$105 BGN 178

$263 BGN 444

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

$18.34 BGN 30.94

$14.37 BGN 24.25

$23.96 BGN 40.41

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.55 BGN 26.24

$12.04 BGN 20.3

$24.07 BGN 40.61

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.61 BGN 73.6

$29.08 BGN 49.06

$59.3 BGN 100

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.04 BGN 37.18

$11.96 BGN 20.17

$29.89 BGN 50.4

Cinema Ticket

$9.6 BGN 16.19

$9 BGN 15.18

$12 BGN 20.24

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

$626 BGN 1,056

$465 BGN 784

$813 BGN 1,372

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,050 BGN 15.3K

$4,630 BGN 7,810

$17.4K BGN 29.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$71.7 BGN 121

$35.78 BGN 60.4

$131 BGN 221

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.99 BGN 62.4

$24.02 BGN 40.52

$48.04 BGN 81

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$108 BGN 182

$71.1 BGN 120

$166 BGN 280

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$117 BGN 197

$66.4 BGN 112

$175 BGN 295

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$693 BGN 1,169

$539 BGN 909

$898 BGN 1,515

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$508 BGN 857

$383 BGN 646

$707 BGN 1,192

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,294 BGN 2,183

$959 BGN 1,618

$1,798 BGN 3,033

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$919 BGN 1,551

$721 BGN 1,217

$1,297 BGN 2,188

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,638 BGN 6,136

$3,069 BGN 5,178

$4,722 BGN 7,966

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,423 BGN 4,088

$1,772 BGN 2,989

$2,953 BGN 4,981

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,551 BGN 2,617

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

3.09

2.5

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

City tags:

🇪🇺 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.