Cost of Living in Sofia - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $725 (excluding rent), and $1,401 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,856 (excluding rent), and $2,868 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.01 BGN 19.58

$9.01 BGN 14.69

$18.02 BGN 29.38

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.18 BGN 80.2

$38.19 BGN 62.2

$69.4 BGN 113

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.81 BGN 14.37

$7.64 BGN 12.45

$11.75 BGN 19.16

Cappuccino

$2.64 BGN 4.30

$1.17 BGN 1.91

$3.52 BGN 5.74

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

$1.73 BGN 2.82

$1.10 BGN 1.79

$2.32 BGN 3.78

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.42 BGN 2.32

$1.17 BGN 1.90

$1.75 BGN 2.85

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.94 BGN 4.79

$1.76 BGN 2.87

$3.53 BGN 5.75

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.30 BGN 5.37

$2.40 BGN 3.91

$4.80 BGN 7.83

Milk (1 liter)

$1.89 BGN 3.09

$1.64 BGN 2.67

$2.22 BGN 3.62

White Bread (500g)

$1.17 BGN 1.91

$0.87 BGN 1.41

$1.74 BGN 2.84

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.00 BGN 3.26

$1.16 BGN 1.89

$2.90 BGN 4.73

Eggs

$3.89 BGN 6.34

$2.81 BGN 4.58

$4.56 BGN 7.44

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.63 BGN 20.59

$9.60 BGN 15.65

$18.00 BGN 29.34

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.42 BGN 13.73

$5.21 BGN 8.50

$11.59 BGN 18.88

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.18 BGN 21.48

$8.90 BGN 14.51

$17.81 BGN 29.03

Apples (1kg)

$1.90 BGN 3.09

$1.20 BGN 1.95

$2.40 BGN 3.90

Banana (1kg)

$1.91 BGN 3.11

$1.45 BGN 2.36

$2.73 BGN 4.45

Oranges (1kg)

$1.93 BGN 3.14

$1.15 BGN 1.88

$2.89 BGN 4.70

Tomato (1kg)

$2.76 BGN 4.51

$1.76 BGN 2.87

$3.52 BGN 5.74

Potato (1kg)

$1.16 BGN 1.89

$0.73 BGN 1.19

$1.82 BGN 2.96

Onion (1kg)

$1.06 BGN 1.73

$0.67 BGN 1.09

$1.81 BGN 2.95

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.22 BGN 1.99

$0.72 BGN 1.18

$1.80 BGN 2.94

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 BGN 1.17

$0.52 BGN 0.85

$1.23 BGN 2.00

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.78 BGN 6.16

$3.49 BGN 5.69

$4.07 BGN 6.64

Wine (Bottle)

$7.35 BGN 11.98

$5.88 BGN 9.59

$11.50 BGN 18.74

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 BGN 1.72

$0.73 BGN 1.19

$1.45 BGN 2.36

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.74 BGN 2.84

$1.15 BGN 1.88

$2.31 BGN 3.76

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.98 BGN 1.60

$1.23 BGN 2.01

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.51 BGN 48.11

$23.16 BGN 37.75

$35.42 BGN 57.7

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.43 BGN 2.33

$1.15 BGN 1.87

$1.78 BGN 2.90

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.73 BGN 1.19

$0.62 BGN 1.02

$1.03 BGN 1.69

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$14.33 BGN 23.36

$10.15 BGN 16.54

$17.91 BGN 29.19

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.52 BGN 2.47

$1.37 BGN 2.23

$1.62 BGN 2.65

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

$32.1K BGN 52.4K

$29.4K BGN 47.9K

$33.5K BGN 54.6K

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

$29.0K BGN 47.2K

$24.9K BGN 40.6K

$35.6K BGN 58.0K

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

$149 BGN 243

$104 BGN 170

$261 BGN 425

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

$17.76 BGN 28.95

$13.92 BGN 22.69

$23.20 BGN 37.81

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.42 BGN 25.14

$11.93 BGN 19.45

$23.86 BGN 38.90

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.01 BGN 71.7

$29.35 BGN 47.84

$59.9 BGN 97.6

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.03 BGN 35.90

$11.95 BGN 19.48

$29.88 BGN 48.70

Cinema Ticket

$9.31 BGN 15.17

$8.72 BGN 14.22

$11.63 BGN 18.96

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

$643 BGN 1,049

$478 BGN 779

$836 BGN 1,362

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,058 BGN 14.8K

$4,634 BGN 7,554

$17.4K BGN 28.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$70.9 BGN 116

$35.37 BGN 57.7

$130 BGN 211

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.39 BGN 59.3

$23.63 BGN 38.51

$47.25 BGN 77.0

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$107 BGN 175

$70.8 BGN 115

$165 BGN 269

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$120 BGN 195

$68.1 BGN 111

$179 BGN 292

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$684 BGN 1,115

$532 BGN 867

$886 BGN 1,445

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$518 BGN 845

$390 BGN 636

$721 BGN 1,175

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,254 BGN 2,044

$929 BGN 1,514

$1,742 BGN 2,839

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$902 BGN 1,470

$708 BGN 1,154

$1,273 BGN 2,074

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,070 BGN 6,634

$3,299 BGN 5,377

$4,713 BGN 7,682

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,665 BGN 4,344

$2,212 BGN 3,606

$3,572 BGN 5,822

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,652 BGN 2,692

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: January 11, 2026

Sofia Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

381

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

185

Mbps

135

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 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.