Cost of living in Bulgaria in 2026: monthly costs by city
Bulgaria remains one of the cheapest EU countries, but cities differ a lot: Sofia costs about 1.5 times as much as Stara Zagora. Below is a summary for the 7 largest cities as of October 2026, all prices in euro.
In short: a single person renting a one-bedroom flat outside the centre needs about €740–1,300 a month; a family of four in a two-bedroom flat about €2,200–3,700. Cheapest: Stara Zagora and Veliko Tarnovo; most expensive: Sofia and Varna.
Single person
Rent for a one-bedroom flat outside the centre plus the other monthly costs of one person (food, transport, utilities, leisure), according to Numbeo:
| City | Rent | Other costs | Total |
| Sofia | €541 | €764 | ≈ €1,305 |
| Varna | €421 | €713 | ≈ €1,134 |
| Burgas | €390 | €612 | ≈ €1,002 |
| Plovdiv | €343 | €627 | ≈ €970 |
| Veliko Tarnovo | €235 | €570 | ≈ €805 |
| Stara Zagora | €226 | €514 | ≈ €740 |
Family of four
Rent for a two-bedroom flat outside the centre plus the monthly costs of a family of four, according to Numbeo:
| City | Rent | Other costs | Total |
| Sofia | €941 | €2,783 | ≈ €3,724 |
| Varna | €808 | €2,562 | ≈ €3,370 |
| Plovdiv | €587 | €2,298 | ≈ €2,885 |
| Burgas | €559 | €2,254 | ≈ €2,813 |
| Veliko Tarnovo | €372 | €2,093 | ≈ €2,465 |
| Stara Zagora | €353 | €1,878 | ≈ €2,231 |
Numbeo has little data on other costs in Ruse; rent there is about €268 for a one-bedroom and €364 for a two-bedroom flat outside the centre. Numbeo's estimates are on the generous side: families who shop at markets and discount stores usually spend less. Data: October 2026.
Main cost items
- Utilities for a flat of about 85 m²: from €83 (Stara Zagora) to €155 (Varna) a month; more in winter if heating is electric. More in utilities and internet.
- Internet: about €11–15 a month.
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant: from €8 (Plovdiv, Ruse) to €15 (Sofia).
- Kindergarten: state — free; private — from €205 (Burgas, Stara Zagora) to €682 (Sofia) a month.
- Healthcare: the contribution if you pay yourself is €24.81 a month; a visit costs €1.48 with insurance. See health insurance.
Everyday prices in Sofia
What common things cost in the capital, according to Numbeo (updated 8 November 2026; user-reported prices, so treat them as a guide). Numbeo updates its figures every month, so they can differ by a few euro from the October city tables above.
| Item | Price |
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | €15.00 |
| Meal for two, mid-range restaurant (three courses) | €60.00 |
| Cappuccino | €3.13 |
| Milk, 1 litre | €1.77 |
| Loaf of white bread, 500 g | €1.38 |
| Eggs, 12 | €4.02 |
| Chicken fillets, 1 kg | €7.56 |
| One-way ticket, local transport | €0.80 |
| Monthly public transport pass | €25.50 |
| Petrol, 1 litre | €1.58 |
| Mobile plan with 10 GB+ of data, monthly | €19.59 |
| Broadband internet, 60 Mbps or faster | €13.75 |
| Fitness club, monthly | €44.29 |
| One-bedroom flat, city centre / outside the centre | €701 / €524 |
| Three-bedroom flat, city centre / outside the centre | €1,364 / €934 |
| Average monthly net salary | €1,572 |
Source: Numbeo, Sofia, 8 November 2026. Prices in euro. See also living in Sofia.
Prices and wages
Average gross wage by region (NSI, Q2 2026): Sofia €1,943, Varna €1,360, Stara Zagora €1,230, Plovdiv €1,228, Ruse €1,185, Burgas €1,175, Veliko Tarnovo €1,112. The minimum wage is €620.20, and take-home pay is about 78% of gross. A one-bedroom rent takes from 18% of the average wage in Stara Zagora to 33% in Burgas. Plan your own budget in the calculator and compare cities.
How to spend less
- Rent in residential districts, and from October to April, when demand at the seaside is lower.
- Choose flats with central heating or good insulation: winter electricity bills can be large.
- Buy food at markets and discount stores.
- Use free state kindergartens and schools.
- Work out your own case in the budget calculator.
FAQ
How much money do you need to live in Bulgaria in 2026?
About €740–1,300 a month for a single person renting, and €2,200–3,700 for a family of four, depending on the city (Numbeo, October 2026).
What is the cheapest city in Bulgaria?
Among the large cities, Stara Zagora and Veliko Tarnovo, with one-bedroom rents around €226–235 outside the centre.
How much is rent in Sofia in 2026?
A one-bedroom flat outside the centre costs about €541 and a two-bedroom flat about €941 a month (Numbeo, October 2026).
What is the cost of living in Sofia?
About €1,305 a month for a single person renting a one-bedroom flat outside the centre, and about €3,724 for a family of four (Numbeo, October 2026).
How much do transport and groceries cost in Sofia?
A single local ticket is €0.80 and a monthly pass €25.50; a litre of milk is about €1.77, a loaf of bread €1.38 and 12 eggs €4.02 (Numbeo, 8 November 2026).
What is the average salary in Bulgaria in 2026?
It depends on the region: from €1,112 gross in the Veliko Tarnovo region to €1,943 in Sofia (NSI, Q2 2026). The minimum wage is €620.20.
📚 Sources: 4
For information only; not legal advice.
