🇷🇸 Belgrade vs 🇧🇬 Sofia
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Sofia is 6% cheaper than Belgrade
Quick answer
Comparing Belgrade, Serbia and Sofia, Bulgaria: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $800 in Belgrade versus $750 in Sofia. Sofia is roughly 6% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $550/mo (Belgrade) vs $600/mo (Sofia). Estimates use World Bank PPP data + national statistics + (where available) item-level price snapshots.
Key facts
- Moderate budget: $800/mo in Belgrade single person — rent + food + transport + utilities.
- Moderate budget: $750/mo in Sofia single person — like-for-like comparison.
- Central 1-bed rent $550/mo in Belgrade · $600/mo in Sofia.
- Cheaper overall: Sofia ~6% cheaper than Belgrade.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics + item-level price snapshots · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇷🇸 Belgrade | 🇧🇬 Sofia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $550/mo | $550/mo | 0% |
| Moderate | $800/mo | $750/mo | -6% |
| Comfortable | $1,200/mo | $1,150/mo | -4% |
Estimates for a single person. Based on World Bank PPP data and national statistics.
Cost Breakdown by Category
| Category | 🇷🇸 Belgrade | 🇧🇬 Sofia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $550/mo | $600/mo | +9% |
| Groceries & Food | $160/mo | $150/mo | -6% |
| Dining Out | $120/mo | $120/mo | 0% |
| Transport | $28/mo | $25/mo | -11% |
| Utilities & Internet | $80/mo | $75/mo | -6% |
| Healthcare | $64/mo | $60/mo | -6% |
| Leisure & Personal | $56/mo | $53/mo | -5% |
Housing (1-bed, center)
Belgrade
$550
Sofia
$600
Groceries & Food
Belgrade
$160
Sofia
$150
Dining Out
Belgrade
$120
Sofia
$120
Transport
Belgrade
$28
Sofia
$25
Utilities & Internet
Belgrade
$80
Sofia
$75
Healthcare
Belgrade
$64
Sofia
$60
Leisure & Personal
Belgrade
$56
Sofia
$53
Detailed Price Comparison
Sources: SORS (Serbia), World Bank / NSI (Bulgaria), Eurostat. Updated Jan 2026.
Groceries
| Item | 🇷🇸 Belgrade | 🇧🇬 Sofia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $1 | +8% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | -5% |
| Eggs (12) | $2 | $2 | +6% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $5 | $4 | -4% |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $1 | $1 | -7% |
Restaurants & Cafes
| Item | 🇷🇸 Belgrade | 🇧🇬 Sofia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ćevapi plate | $5 | $6 | +22% |
| Fast food combo meal | $6 | $6 | 0% |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $2 | 0% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $2 | $2 | -26% |
Housing
| Item | 🇷🇸 Belgrade | 🇧🇬 Sofia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center | $761 | $765 | +1% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $350 | $580 | +66% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $1,000 | $1,100 | +10% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $650 | $700 | +8% |
Transport
| Item | 🇷🇸 Belgrade | 🇧🇬 Sofia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass (BusPlus) | $28 | $25 | -11% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $2 | $1 | -10% |
Utilities & Internet
| Item | 🇷🇸 Belgrade | 🇧🇬 Sofia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $95 | $100 | +5% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $15 | $12 | -20% |
Leisure & Fitness
| Item | 🇷🇸 Belgrade | 🇧🇬 Sofia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $28 | $25 | -11% |
| Cinema ticket | $5 | $6 | +22% |
Personal Care
| Item | 🇷🇸 Belgrade | 🇧🇬 Sofia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $6 | $6 | 0% |
Quick Facts
🇷🇸 Belgrade
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $800
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $550/mo
- Cappuccino
- $1.80
- Inexpensive meal
- $6.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $28
- Internet speed
- 80 Mbps
- Safety index
- 65/100(moderately safe)
- Healthcare index
- 71/100
- Country
- Serbia
🇧🇬 Sofia
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $750
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $600/mo
- Cappuccino
- $1.80
- Inexpensive meal
- $6.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $25
- Internet speed
- 100 Mbps
- Safety index
- 70/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 67/100
- Country
- Bulgaria
Explore more: Belgrade city guide | Sofia city guide | Serbia | Bulgaria
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Belgrade or Sofia cheaper to live in?
Sofia is approximately 6% cheaper than Belgrade overall.
How much does it cost to live in Belgrade per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Belgrade is approximately $800, including rent, food, transport, and utilities.
How much does it cost to live in Sofia per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Sofia is approximately $750, including rent, food, transport, and utilities.
What is the rent difference between Belgrade and Sofia?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $550/month in Belgrade and $600/month in Sofia.