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Cost of Living in Sofia

Sofia, Sofia-Grad, Bulgaria · Population 1,531,867 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Bulgaria average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)лв1,242 ($690)
Couple, monthlyлв2,225 ($1,236)
Family of four, monthlyлв2,896 ($1,609)

Estimated Prices in Sofia

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantлв12.64 ($7.02)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-rangeлв50.54 ($28.08)per meal
Cappuccinoлв3.79 ($2.11)each
Monthly groceries (single person)лв286 ($159)per month
Monthly public transport passлв46.33 ($25.74)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartmentлв122 ($67.86)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)лв35.38 ($19.66)per month
Fitness club membershipлв35.38 ($19.66)per month
Cinema ticketлв9.27 ($5.15)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centreлв575 ($319)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centreлв400 ($222)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centreлв1,199 ($666)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Sofia is лв2,340 ($1,300) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of лв1,242 ($690) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly лв1,615 ($897) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (лв400 ($222)) represents about 32% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Sofia

Sofia vs PlovdivSofia vs VarnaSofia vs BurgasSofia vs Stara ZagoraSofia vs RuseSofia vs Sliven

Nearby Cities

Bozhurishte

12 km away · Sofia

Novi Iskar

14 km away · Sofia-Grad

Bankya

14 km away · Sofia-Grad

Kostinbrod

16 km away · Sofia

Elin Pelin

23 km away · Sofia

Pernik

26 km away · Pernik

Svoge

29 km away · Sofia

Radomir

34 km away · Pernik

Other Major Cities in Bulgaria

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

Sliven

Sliven · pop. 110,470

лв936 ($520) / mo

Pleven

Pleven · pop. 109,080

лв936 ($520) / mo

Pazardzhik

Pazardzhik · pop. 90,309

лв936 ($520) / mo

Living in Sofia

Sofia is the capital and one of the key cities in Bulgaria. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is лв1,242 ($690), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around лв400 ($222) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to лв2,896 ($1,609) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately лв2,225 ($1,236) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Sofia is лв2,340 ($1,300). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least лв1,615 ($897) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sofia expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated лв1,242 ($690) per month in Sofia including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Bulgaria.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Sofia?
A net salary of around лв1,615 ($897) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Sofia with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Sofia is лв2,340 ($1,300).
How much is rent in Sofia?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated лв575 ($319) per month in the city centre and лв400 ($222) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about лв1,199 ($666).
Is Sofia cheaper than Bulgaria on average?
No — Sofia is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Bulgaria average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Sofia?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at лв286 ($159) in Sofia. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about лв13 ($7) and a cappuccino runs around лв4 ($2).
How do transport costs in Sofia compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Sofia is estimated at лв46 ($26). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Sofia are estimates based on Bulgaria national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,531,867) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.