Last update: Oct 2026 Bulgaria 348.1K

Cost of Living in Varna

For one person, living costs in Varna are estimated at $1,388 a month, including rent and utilities – 20% above the national average. Rent and utilities take just under half of the total.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Varna

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

A single person spends around $1,388 per month with rent, or $752 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,388 /mo

A couple spends around $2,192 per month with rent, or $1,344 for everyday expenses alone.

$2,192 /mo

A family of three spends around $2,997 per month with rent, or $1,936 without housing.

$2,997 /mo

Overall, Varna is 3–6% above the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are 21% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
Do you live in Varna? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.74 BGN 22.16
$9.30 BGN 16.17
$28.40 BGN 49.41
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.9 BGN 104
$45.98 BGN 80.0
$90.0 BGN 157
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.21 BGN 17.77
$8.89 BGN 15.46
$11.11 BGN 19.32
Cappuccino
$2.93 BGN 5.10
$1.66 BGN 2.89
$4.00 BGN 6.97
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88 BGN 3.27
$1.11 BGN 1.93
$2.76 BGN 4.80
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60 BGN 2.78
$1.10 BGN 1.91
$2.18 BGN 3.80
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.93 BGN 5.10
$2.07 BGN 3.60
$4.59 BGN 7.98
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.52 BGN 6.13
$2.31 BGN 4.02
$4.40 BGN 7.66
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.90 BGN 3.30
$1.40 BGN 2.44
$2.30 BGN 4.00
White Bread (500g)
$1.18 BGN 2.05
$0.83 BGN 1.44
$1.73 BGN 3.01
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.57 BGN 4.47
$1.96 BGN 3.40
$3.18 BGN 5.53
Eggs
$3.45 BGN 6.01
$2.26 BGN 3.93
$3.98 BGN 6.92
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.30 BGN 19.66
$8.49 BGN 14.78
$19.84 BGN 34.52
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.02 BGN 15.69
$6.78 BGN 11.80
$11.31 BGN 19.68
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.12 BGN 24.57
$10.30 BGN 17.93
$22.92 BGN 39.88
Apples (1kg)
$1.91 BGN 3.32
$1.12 BGN 1.94
$2.79 BGN 4.85
Banana (1kg)
$2.11 BGN 3.67
$1.68 BGN 2.93
$2.82 BGN 4.91
Oranges (1kg)
$2.13 BGN 3.70
$1.41 BGN 2.46
$3.38 BGN 5.89
Tomato (1kg)
$2.95 BGN 5.14
$2.02 BGN 3.51
$4.02 BGN 7.00
Potato (1kg)
$1.25 BGN 2.18
$0.83 BGN 1.45
$2.18 BGN 3.80
Onion (1kg)
$1.03 BGN 1.79
$0.83 BGN 1.44
$1.66 BGN 2.89
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.07 BGN 1.86
$0.88 BGN 1.53
$1.17 BGN 2.03
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.75 BGN 1.30
$0.55 BGN 0.95
$1.09 BGN 1.90
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.97 BGN 6.92
$3.53 BGN 6.14
$4.54 BGN 7.90
Wine (Bottle)
$8.68 BGN 15.10
$5.54 BGN 9.64
$12.46 BGN 21.68
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.16 BGN 2.01
$0.76 BGN 1.32
$1.62 BGN 2.82
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 BGN 3.13
$1.11 BGN 1.94
$2.62 BGN 4.56
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.89 BGN 1.55
$0.56 BGN 0.97
$1.11 BGN 1.94
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$28.87 BGN 50.2
$22.56 BGN 39.25
$55.4 BGN 96.3
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.61 BGN 2.80
$1.51 BGN 2.62
$2.95 BGN 5.14
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.91 BGN 1.58
$0.77 BGN 1.34
$1.03 BGN 1.79
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$12.08 BGN 21.02
$11.51 BGN 20.02
$16.20 BGN 28.20
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.75 BGN 3.04
$1.39 BGN 2.42
$1.88 BGN 3.28
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.8K BGN 51.8K
$28.8K BGN 50.2K
$29.8K BGN 51.8K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.4K BGN 44.2K
$22.7K BGN 39.5K
$29.9K BGN 52.0K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$173 BGN 302
$115 BGN 199
$244 BGN 424
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.88 BGN 36.32
$16.95 BGN 29.49
$28.24 BGN 49.13
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.07 BGN 27.96
$10.99 BGN 19.12
$22.47 BGN 39.10
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$52.4 BGN 91.2
$28.89 BGN 50.3
$57.7 BGN 100
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.08 BGN 34.94
$11.55 BGN 20.10
$28.23 BGN 49.12
Cinema Ticket
$8.86 BGN 15.42
$7.75 BGN 13.49
$9.96 BGN 17.34
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$497 BGN 865
$363 BGN 632
$875 BGN 1,522
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,315 BGN 11.0K
$4,686 BGN 8,154
$7,750 BGN 13.5K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.3 BGN 114
$34.12 BGN 59.4
$116 BGN 202
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.69 BGN 58.6
$17.35 BGN 30.19
$45.26 BGN 78.8
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$101 BGN 176
$56.8 BGN 98.7
$116 BGN 202
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102 BGN 177
$57.3 BGN 99.7
$134 BGN 234
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$626 BGN 1,089
$554 BGN 964
$776 BGN 1,350
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$462 BGN 805
$337 BGN 586
$561 BGN 977
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,326 BGN 2,307
$1,009 BGN 1,756
$1,646 BGN 2,864
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$888 BGN 1,545
$785 BGN 1,365
$1,126 BGN 1,960
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,992 BGN 5,205
$2,298 BGN 3,999
$4,420 BGN 7,691
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,161 BGN 3,760
$1,338 BGN 2,328
$3,345 BGN 5,821
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,283 BGN 2,232
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
2.85
2.3
3.5

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.
Varna $1,388
Accommodation & Living
$462
Groceries & Markets
$267
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$210
Eating Out
$203
Clothing & Footwear
$136
Sport & Entertainment
$70
Getting Around
$39

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $626, dropping to $462 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 49% of the average salary ($1,283) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $1,283 – below monthly costs of $1,388. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $267 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $60.0 – well below the European average of $73.0.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $28.87 – among the cheapest in Europe (average $49.00).

Cost Highlights

Varna is cheaper than 54% of cities worldwide and 71% within Europe.

Good to know
🕒 Local time
22:38 10:38 PM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
348,058
💱 Currency
Bulgarian Lev BGN лв.
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to BGN – Bulgarian Lev Converter

Bulgarian Lev exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 1.74 BGN (1 BGN = 0.575 USD). 1 EUR = 1.96 BGN (1 BGN = 0.511 EUR).

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Varna Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Varna - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Varna compare for travelers, expats, and digital nomads in terms of overall value and affordability?
Varna sits on the Black Sea and blends beach-season energy with year-round livability. Cost of Living in Varna, Bulgaria offers a practical balance for visitors. For travelers, expats, and digital nomads, the overall vibe is one of value and balance: you’ll find reasonable housing options, a range of dining styles, and straightforward transit that keeps daily life convenient without the sticker shock common in larger Western capitals. You can choose quiet residential lanes or lively seaside promenades, depending on your pace. Budget planning feels flexible, with many affordable local services and a growing pool of coworking spaces. Tip: start with a neighborhood walk to sample options and lock in a comfortable base.
What does day-to-day life look like in Varna for housing, food, transport, and errands?
Day-to-day life in Varna centers on practical pacing: target neighborhoods that fit your rhythm, then tailor housing search around transit access and your desired vibe. You can often find comfortable units in older buildings with character, sometimes at better terms than newer towers by the sea. Food choices range from bustling markets to laid-back cafes; groceries at local stores help stretch a budget when you cook at home. For getting around, buses and trams cover the city well, and walking is pleasant along the waterfront. Varna living cost varies by season and district, so plan around your priorities. Tip: keep a flexible shopping list to cut costs.
Which neighborhoods fit different budgets and lifestyle goals, and what budgeting approach helps you maximize quality of life in Varna?
Quality of life in Varna leans on balance: a simple budgeting framework is to separate fixed costs (housing and utilities) from discretionary spending (eating out, hobbies). Set a monthly target for housing that leaves room for occasional seafood meals by the promenade or quiet evenings in a coworking cafe. Capitalize on shoulder seasons when crowds thin and prices soften, and explore neighborhoods that offer a mix of parks, cafes, and easy tram links. If you want a local feel, mix longer stays in residential blocks with weekend trips to nearby countryside or quieter beaches. Tip: track a few costs for a week and adjust choices accordingly.
Is Varna affordable on an average income?
Varna sits squarely in the middle of the price spectrum – not cheap, not expensive. Monthly costs with rent tend to hover around $1,388, which most working professionals can handle without feeling financially squeezed.
Is rent in Varna too high relative to local incomes?
Housing in Varna takes a heavy bite – about 49% of a typical income, which is above the 30% international benchmark. That squeezes the budget for everything else and is one of the main pain points for residents here.
What income level supports a comfortable lifestyle in Varna?
In Varna, $2,082 per month is what most people would call a good salary. It handles rent, food, and utilities with enough left for savings and the occasional splurge. Above that, you unlock better apartments and more freedom with spending.
Is Varna a good place to find cheap rent?
Rent is one of the biggest advantages of living in Varna – 1-bedroom apartments range from $462 to $626 per month, and even central neighborhoods stay accessible on modest incomes. Cheap housing frees up cash for everything else.
How expensive is preschool in Varna per month?
Private kindergarten in Varna costs about $497 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.
How much is a monthly gym pass in Varna?
Expect to pay about $52.4 per month for a gym in Varna – on par with the regional average. That typically gets you weights, cardio machines, and group classes. Boutique studios, yoga centers, and personal trainers charge extra.
Does $2,000 cover living expenses in Varna?
$2,000 is below the $1,388 average in Varna, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
What is life like for foreigners living in Varna?
Varna works well for expats – there's a solid range of international services, diverse housing, and established communities of foreigners. English-language options for healthcare, banking, and real estate are increasingly available, making the transition fairly smooth.
Is Varna affordable for the average person?
Varna is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,388, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.
Can budget travelers get by in Varna?
Varna is doable for backpackers, though it takes more planning than cheaper destinations. Monthly costs average $1,388, so daily spending is moderate. Hostels, local food, and public transport keep things in check, but attractions and nightlife can push costs up.

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