Sofia, Bulgaria

Cost of Living in Sofia, Bulgaria

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Sofia costs approximately $1,387 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $775. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Sofia is a city in Bulgaria, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,387 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $775 per month, or $599 outside the centre. Internet is solid at around 89 Mbps median download speed, and Bulgaria offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Sofia scores 74/100 — generally safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 87°F and winter highs around 45°F, with roughly 313 sunny days a year.

Top for CoworkingDigital nomad visaFamily friendlySafe tap water
Monthly Cost$1,387≈ $46/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$775
Internet89 Mbps
Safety74/100
Avg Temp66°F

Sofia Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$12.05
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$54.22
McDonald's Combo Meal$10.85
Cappuccino$2.96
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$3.17
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$1.53

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.96
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$1.31
Eggs (12)$3.89
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$3.96
Apples (1 lb)$0.92
Bananas (1 lb)$0.92
Tomatoes (1 lb)$1.28
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.49
Water (1.5L Bottle)$0.77
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$7.53
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$4.22

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$0.97
Monthly Transit Pass$30.09
Taxi Start$1.77
Taxi (1 Mile)$1.55
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.48
VW Golf (New)$31,626.45

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$155.02
Mobile Phone Plan$18.74
Broadband Internet$14.24

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$46.35
Cinema Ticket$10.42
Preschool (Monthly)$705.54
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$12,234.59

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$84.37
Nike Running Shoes$113.42

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$774.97
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$598.83
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$1,396.41
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$1,006.34
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$395.45
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$263.88

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$1,684.52
Mortgage Interest Rate2.96%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$2,851.40
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$787.70

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Sofia

Internet89 Mbps
Safety74/100
Healthcare59/100
Public Transit62/100
Walkability65/100
Nightlife61/100
Food Scene65/100
Fine Dining5/100
Coffee Culture55/100
Air Quality88/100
Green Spaces60/100
Culture62/100
Beaches40/100
Hiking65/100
Surfing0/100
Coworking Spaces22
US Visa-Free90 days

Communities & Expat Groups

Digital Nomads Sofia

Sofia FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Sofia?

A single person should budget around $1,387 per month in Sofia, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $2,851 per month.

How much is rent in Sofia?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Sofia averages $775 per month, dropping to about $599 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,396.

Is Sofia safe?

Sofia scores 74/100 on safety, which is generally safe. Tourist safety is rated 70/100.

How fast is the internet in Sofia?

Median download speeds in Sofia are around 89 Mbps — solid for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 22 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Bulgaria offer a digital nomad visa?

Yes — Bulgaria offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders can typically stay 90 days visa-free before applying.

What is the weather like in Sofia?

Sofia sees summer highs around 87°F and winter highs near 45°F, with about 313 sunny days and 106 rainy days per year.

Sofia in our travel guides

Visa Requirements for Bulgaria

Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for Bulgaria and how to apply.