🇧🇬 Sofia vs 🇵🇹 Lisbon
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Sofia is 52% cheaper than Lisbon
Quick answer
Comparing Sofia, Bulgaria and Lisbon, Portugal: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $1,253 in Sofia versus $2,604 in Lisbon. Sofia is roughly 52% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $765/mo (Sofia) vs $1,466/mo (Lisbon). The totals use the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Key facts
- Moderate budget: $1,253/mo in Sofia single person — city-centre rent + modeled non-housing categories.
- Moderate budget: $2,604/mo in Lisbon single person — like-for-like city-centre basket.
- Central 1-bed rent $765/mo in Sofia · $1,466/mo in Lisbon.
- Cheaper overall: Sofia ~52% cheaper than Lisbon.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics + item-level price snapshots · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇧🇬 Sofia | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $900/mo | $1,800/mo | +100% |
| Moderate | $1,253/mo | $2,604/mo | +108% |
| Comfortable | $1,900/mo | $3,900/mo | +105% |
The Moderate row equals the category table below: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending. Budget and Comfortable scale that same basket.
Cost Breakdown by Category
| Category | 🇧🇬 Sofia | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $765/mo | $1,466/mo | +92% |
| Groceries & Food | $150/mo | $350/mo | +133% |
| Dining Out | $75/mo | $175/mo | +133% |
| Transport | $75/mo | $175/mo | +133% |
| Utilities & Internet | $75/mo | $175/mo | +133% |
| Healthcare | $60/mo | $140/mo | +133% |
| Leisure & Personal | $53/mo | $123/mo | +132% |
Category sum = Moderate budget. Basis: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Housing (1-bed, center)
Sofia
$765
Lisbon
$1,466
Groceries & Food
Sofia
$150
Lisbon
$350
Dining Out
Sofia
$75
Lisbon
$175
Transport
Sofia
$75
Lisbon
$175
Utilities & Internet
Sofia
$75
Lisbon
$175
Healthcare
Sofia
$60
Lisbon
$140
Leisure & Personal
Sofia
$53
Lisbon
$123
Detailed Price Comparison
Sources: NSI (Bulgaria), Eurostat / INE (Statistics Portugal), Eurostat. Updated Jan 2026.
Groceries
| Item | 🇧🇬 Sofia | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $1 | +86% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | -6% |
| Eggs (12) | $2 | $3 | +39% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $4 | $7 | +48% |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $1 | $1 | -8% |
Restaurants & Cafes
| Item | 🇧🇬 Sofia | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopska salad + grilled meat | $6 | $10 | +70% |
| Fast food combo meal | $6 | $8 | +36% |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $2 | 0% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $2 | $3 | +94% |
Housing
| Item | 🇧🇬 Sofia | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center | $765 | $1,466 | +92% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $580 | $800 | +38% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $1,100 | $2,100 | +91% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $700 | $1,400 | +100% |
Transport
| Item | 🇧🇬 Sofia | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass | $25 | $44 | +76% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $1 | $4 | +186% |
Utilities & Internet
| Item | 🇧🇬 Sofia | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $100 | $120 | +20% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $12 | $35 | +192% |
Leisure & Fitness
| Item | 🇧🇬 Sofia | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $25 | $40 | +60% |
| Cinema ticket | $6 | $8 | +43% |
Personal Care
| Item | 🇧🇬 Sofia | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $6 | $15 | +168% |
Quick Facts
🇧🇬 Sofia
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $1,253
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $765/mo
- Cappuccino
- $1.80
- Inexpensive meal
- $6.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $25
- Internet speed
- 100 Mbps
- Safety index
- 70/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 73/100
- Country
- Bulgaria
🇵🇹 Lisbon
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $2,604
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $1,466/mo
- Cappuccino
- $2.45
- Inexpensive meal
- $14.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $44
- Internet speed
- 115 Mbps
- Safety index
- 78/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 95/100
- Country
- Portugal
Explore more: Sofia city guide | Lisbon city guide | Bulgaria | Portugal
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sofia or Lisbon cheaper to live in?
Sofia is approximately 52% cheaper than Lisbon overall.
How much does it cost to live in Sofia per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Sofia is approximately $1,253 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
How much does it cost to live in Lisbon per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Lisbon is approximately $2,604 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
What is the rent difference between Sofia and Lisbon?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $765/month in Sofia and $1,466/month in Lisbon.