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Cost of Living in Sliven

Sliven, Sliven, Bulgaria · Population 110,470

▼ -6% vs Bulgaria average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)лв936 ($520)
Couple, monthlyлв1,670 ($928)
Family of four, monthlyлв2,169 ($1,205)

Estimated Prices in Sliven

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantлв9.72 ($5.40)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-rangeлв38.88 ($21.60)per meal
Cappuccinoлв2.92 ($1.62)each
Monthly groceries (single person)лв220 ($122)per month
Monthly public transport passлв35.64 ($19.80)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartmentлв93.96 ($52.20)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)лв27.22 ($15.12)per month
Fitness club membershipлв27.22 ($15.12)per month
Cinema ticketлв7.13 ($3.96)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centreлв414 ($230)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centreлв288 ($160)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centreлв864 ($480)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Sliven is лв1,800 ($1,000) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of лв936 ($520) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly лв1,217 ($676) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (лв288 ($160)) represents about 31% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Sliven

Sliven vs SofiaSliven vs PlovdivSliven vs VarnaSliven vs BurgasSliven vs Stara ZagoraSliven vs Ruse

Nearby Cities

Kotel

24 km away · Sliven

Yambol

26 km away · Yambol

Straldzha

30 km away · Yambol

Nova Zagora

34 km away · Sliven

Tvarditsa

35 km away · Sliven

Sungurlare

38 km away · Burgas

Omurtag

48 km away · Targovishte

Karnobat

53 km away · Burgas

Other Major Cities in Bulgaria

Sofia

Sofia-Grad · pop. 1,531,867

лв1,242 ($690) / mo

Plovdiv

Plovdiv · pop. 329,489

лв997 ($554) / mo

Varna

Varna · pop. 318,737

лв997 ($554) / mo

Burgas

Burgas · pop. 189,014

лв936 ($520) / mo

Stara Zagora

Stara Zagora · pop. 142,746

лв936 ($520) / mo

Ruse

Ruse · pop. 137,159

лв936 ($520) / mo

Pleven

Pleven · pop. 109,080

лв936 ($520) / mo

Pazardzhik

Pazardzhik · pop. 90,309

лв936 ($520) / mo

Living in Sliven

Sliven is one of the key cities in Bulgaria. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is лв936 ($520), placing it below the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around лв288 ($160) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to лв2,169 ($1,205) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately лв1,670 ($928) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Sliven is лв1,800 ($1,000). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least лв1,217 ($676) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sliven expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated лв936 ($520) per month in Sliven including rent outside the city centre. That is 6% less than the national average for Bulgaria.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Sliven?
A net salary of around лв1,217 ($676) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Sliven with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Sliven is лв1,800 ($1,000).
How much is rent in Sliven?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated лв414 ($230) per month in the city centre and лв288 ($160) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about лв864 ($480).
Is Sliven cheaper than Bulgaria on average?
Yes — Sliven is estimated to be about 6% cheaper than the Bulgaria average, making it a relatively affordable option in the country.
What is the cost of groceries in Sliven?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at лв220 ($122) in Sliven. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about лв10 ($5) and a cappuccino runs around лв3 ($2).
How do transport costs in Sliven compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Sliven is estimated at лв36 ($20). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Sliven are estimates based on Bulgaria national averages adjusted for city size (population 110,470). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.