Cost of Living in Sofia - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $726 (excluding rent), and $1,411 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,830 (excluding rent), and $2,892 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.82 BGN 19.15

$8.87 BGN 14.36

$17.73 BGN 28.73

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.3 BGN 81.5

$39.04 BGN 63.3

$71.0 BGN 115

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.66 BGN 14.03

$7.51 BGN 12.16

$11.55 BGN 18.70

Cappuccino

$2.60 BGN 4.21

$1.16 BGN 1.87

$3.47 BGN 5.62

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

$1.73 BGN 2.80

$1.10 BGN 1.78

$2.32 BGN 3.76

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.42 BGN 2.31

$1.17 BGN 1.89

$1.75 BGN 2.83

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.02 BGN 4.90

$1.81 BGN 2.94

$3.63 BGN 5.88

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.16 BGN 5.11

$2.30 BGN 3.72

$4.60 BGN 7.45

Milk (1 liter)

$1.92 BGN 3.11

$1.66 BGN 2.69

$2.25 BGN 3.65

White Bread (500g)

$1.22 BGN 1.97

$0.90 BGN 1.46

$1.81 BGN 2.93

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.05 BGN 3.32

$1.19 BGN 1.93

$2.98 BGN 4.82

Eggs

$3.95 BGN 6.40

$2.85 BGN 4.62

$4.63 BGN 7.51

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.48 BGN 20.22

$9.49 BGN 15.37

$17.79 BGN 28.81

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.53 BGN 13.82

$5.28 BGN 8.55

$11.73 BGN 19.00

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.20 BGN 21.39

$8.92 BGN 14.45

$17.84 BGN 28.90

Apples (1kg)

$1.84 BGN 2.97

$1.16 BGN 1.88

$2.32 BGN 3.75

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 BGN 3.12

$1.46 BGN 2.37

$2.75 BGN 4.46

Oranges (1kg)

$1.93 BGN 3.13

$1.16 BGN 1.88

$2.90 BGN 4.69

Tomato (1kg)

$2.71 BGN 4.39

$1.73 BGN 2.80

$3.45 BGN 5.59

Potato (1kg)

$1.16 BGN 1.87

$0.73 BGN 1.18

$1.81 BGN 2.93

Onion (1kg)

$1.04 BGN 1.69

$0.66 BGN 1.07

$1.78 BGN 2.89

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.18 BGN 1.91

$0.70 BGN 1.13

$1.74 BGN 2.82

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.66 BGN 1.08

$0.48 BGN 0.78

$1.14 BGN 1.84

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.91 BGN 6.33

$3.61 BGN 5.85

$4.22 BGN 6.83

Wine (Bottle)

$7.71 BGN 12.50

$6.17 BGN 9.99

$11.10 BGN 17.99

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.04 BGN 1.69

$0.72 BGN 1.17

$1.43 BGN 2.32

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.80 BGN 2.92

$1.19 BGN 1.93

$2.39 BGN 3.87

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.96 BGN 1.56

$1.21 BGN 1.96

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.20 BGN 47.31

$22.92 BGN 37.12

$35.04 BGN 56.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.43 BGN 2.31

$1.15 BGN 1.86

$1.78 BGN 2.88

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.76 BGN 1.23

$0.65 BGN 1.05

$1.08 BGN 1.74

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$14.12 BGN 22.87

$10.00 BGN 16.20

$17.64 BGN 28.58

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.57 BGN 2.55

$1.42 BGN 2.30

$1.68 BGN 2.73

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

$31.7K BGN 51.3K

$29.0K BGN 46.9K

$33.0K BGN 53.5K

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

$28.3K BGN 45.8K

$24.3K BGN 39.4K

$34.7K BGN 56.2K

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

$153 BGN 249

$107 BGN 174

$268 BGN 434

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

$18.06 BGN 29.25

$14.15 BGN 22.92

$23.58 BGN 38.21

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.31 BGN 24.80

$11.85 BGN 19.19

$23.69 BGN 38.38

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.73 BGN 70.8

$29.16 BGN 47.24

$59.5 BGN 96.4

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.64 BGN 35.06

$11.74 BGN 19.02

$29.35 BGN 47.55

Cinema Ticket

$9.50 BGN 15.39

$8.91 BGN 14.43

$11.88 BGN 19.24

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

$648 BGN 1,051

$481 BGN 780

$842 BGN 1,365

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,175 BGN 14.9K

$4,694 BGN 7,604

$17.6K BGN 28.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.7 BGN 113

$34.76 BGN 56.3

$127 BGN 206

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.94 BGN 58.2

$23.33 BGN 37.80

$46.67 BGN 75.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$108 BGN 176

$71.5 BGN 116

$167 BGN 270

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$119 BGN 192

$67.3 BGN 109

$177 BGN 287

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$696 BGN 1,128

$541 BGN 877

$902 BGN 1,462

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$517 BGN 838

$390 BGN 631

$719 BGN 1,165

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,287 BGN 2,085

$954 BGN 1,545

$1,788 BGN 2,897

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$891 BGN 1,444

$699 BGN 1,133

$1,257 BGN 2,037

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,120 BGN 6,675

$3,325 BGN 5,386

$4,945 BGN 8,010

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,752 BGN 4,458

$2,317 BGN 3,753

$3,654 BGN 5,920

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,672 BGN 2,708

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 18, 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.