MigrantoCost of living in Bulgaria
Average monthly spending, by standard of living, by category, and against other countries
Monthly cost
€753
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
€295richest 20%
€2,270
Bulgaria sits at the affordable end of Europe, built on low local wages and cheap homegrown food, so for someone bringing outside money the daily costs feel light. The thing to understand, though, is the chasm inside it — the gap between how the best-off and the worst-off live runs about as wide as it gets. The average price tells you very little about which of those lives you'd actually be funding.
Where people spend money in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, food leads the budget, and for most people it's a cheap, manageable line. Housing follows and is the heavier, fixed commitment — the cost that doesn't bend when money is tight. Transport stays inexpensive, which leaves housing as the rigid anchor in an otherwise flexible budget.
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in Bulgaria
Tell us what you earn and spend today — we'll estimate what the same lifestyle would cost in Bulgaria and how much you could have left each month
- What your lifestyle costs
- How much could be left each month
- How it compares with today
Cost of living in Bulgaria
€295/mo
vs €692 in your country
Take-home
€1,050
vs €1,040 in your country
Potential savings
€753
more than in your country
Standard of living
Under a minute, no sign-up
How living costs in Bulgaria compare
Bulgaria is about as affordable as Europe gets, and yet it still out-prices a fair part of the world — proof that 'cheapest in Europe' isn't the same as cheap everywhere. Low local wages are what pull prices down across the board. For a mover, it's the most budget-friendly door into the EU, provided the rest of the picture fits.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2022 (Eurostat), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
Ask Migo
Tap a question — our AI assistant answers it in chat
Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Bulgaria?
A typical person in Bulgaria spends about €753 a month — around €9,040 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the cost of living in Bulgaria in US dollars?
The cost of living in Bulgaria is about $871 a month, or roughly $10,452 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Bulgaria?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about €295 a month per person, a typical one around €753, and a comfortable life around €1,040. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Bulgaria?
The biggest expense is groceries, at about €156 a month (21% of spending). Then come housing (€138, 18%) and transport (€103, 14%).
Is the average salary in Bulgaria enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about €753 a month, while the average take-home pay in Bulgaria is about €1,140. For more on incomes, see salaries in Bulgaria.
Is Bulgaria an expensive country to live in?
Yes. Bulgaria is more expensive than 70% of countries worldwide and ranks 32nd of 41 in Europe by cost of living.
Where to live?
Match a country to your priorities
Living in Bulgaria
See the full country overview