Cost of Living in Sofia vs Bucharest

Cost of living in Sofia is very similar to Bucharest (without rent).

Rent in Sofia is very similar to Bucharest.

Cost of living including rent in Sofia is very similar to Bucharest.

Food in Sofia is 2% more expensive than in Bucharest.

Transport in Sofia is 15% more expensive than in Bucharest.

Sofia vs. Bucharest Comparision

Sofia Bucharest
Cost of Living, including rent
1,043 $
1,036 $
Without Rent
549 $
540 $
Rent & Utilities
494 $
496 $
Food
362 $
354 $
Transport
84 $
72 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
1,389 $
1,242 $
Quality of Life
78
78
Population
1.4M
1.7M

Compare other cities?

Sofia Bucharest

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
9.9 $ 10.6 $
Dinner, for 2 39.5 $ 47 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 8.45 $ 7.53 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.32 $ 3.06 $
Capuccino 2.37 $ 3.18 $
Coke, 330ml 1.42 $ 2.11 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.82 $ 1.77 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 0.96 $ 1.03 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.59 $ 1.41 $
Eggs, 12 pack 3.79 $ 3.32 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 11 $ 9.2 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.72 $ 6.76 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 12.4 $ 11.6 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.67 $ 1.24 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.89 $ 1.74 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.78 $ 1.71 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.15 $ 1.08 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.08 $ 1.05 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.48 $ 0.6 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.58 $ 2.11 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 7.55 $ 6.93 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.07 $ 1.18 $
Cigarette pack 3.68 $ 6.06 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 0.9 $ 0.67 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 27.3 $ 18.6 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.55 $ 1.64 $
Taxi, 8 km 7.6 $ 5.92 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 34.7 $ 55 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 8.05 $ 6.85 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 3.32 $ 5.36 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.98 $ 1.78 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.85 $ 3.29 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
98 $ 99 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
151 $ 152 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
13.6 $ 9.34 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 359 $ 348 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 651 $ 640 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 475 $ 545 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 943 $ 948 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 3,253 $ 2,831 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 2,109 $ 1,759 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 1,389 $ 1,242 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 3.18 % 7.21 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 34.4 $ 44.3 $
Cinema, 1 seat 8.22 $ 8.19 $
Haircut 9.66 $ 11.1 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 111 $ 87.9 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 66.9 $ 78.8 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 556 $ 532 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 7,369 $ 10,286 $