Cost of Living in Sofia
A monthly budget
| Household | Living costs, excluding rent | Rent, centre | Rent, outside the centre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single person, one-bedroom flat | €764 | €697 | €541 |
| Family of four, three-bedroom flat | €2,783 | €1,370 | €941 |
Source: Numbeo: Cost of living in Sofia (updated 12 October 2026)1
These are averages of prices reported by Numbeo users, updated on 12 October 2026. Living costs in Sofia are about a quarter above the national average of €611 for a single person; national figures are on Cost of Living in Bulgaria.1,2
Rent and home prices
- Two-bedroom flats were listed at about €905 a month in October 2026, or €9.21 per m²; agreed rents are often a little lower.
- New flats under construction were offered at an average of about €2,070 per m² before VAT and finishing.
- Numbeo users put buying in the centre at about €3,940 per m², and outside the centre at €2,867.
Source: imot.bg: Two-bedroom flats to rent in Sofia, average of current listings; BTA: 7,630 apartments under construction for sale in Sofia (Colliers); Numbeo: Cost of living in Sofia (updated 12 October 2026)3,11,1
Price trends and buying costs are on Residential Property and Buying Property in Bulgaria.
Public transport
| Ticket or card | Price |
|---|---|
| Ticket 30+, transfers within 30 minutes | €0.80 |
| Ticket 60+, transfers within 60 minutes | €1.10 |
| Day card, all lines | €2.00 |
| 72-hour card, with night transport | €7.60 |
| Monthly card, all daytime lines, personalised | €25.50 |
| Monthly card, metro only, personalised | €17.50 |
| Annual card, all lines, personalised | €185.00 |
| Monthly card, all lines, for pensioners | €12.70 |
| Monthly card, all lines, for people over 68 | €5.00 |
| Monthly card, all lines, for students | €7.50 |
Source: Visit Sofia: Metro and short-term tickets from 1 January 2026; BNT: Sofia public transport cards switch to prices in euro5,4
The fares took effect on 1 January 2026, converted to euro and rounded down. Children under 7 travel free. A taxi costs about €1.53 to start and €0.82 per km.4,6,1
Household bills
- Water: €2.111 per m³ including VAT for supply, sewerage and treatment, from 1 January 2026.
- District heating: €73.30 per MWh from 1 July 2026; see Heating.
- Electricity: the regulated energy price is €0.09297 per kWh by day and €0.04103 at night, before network charges and VAT; see Electricity.
- All basic utilities for an 85 m² flat average about €142 a month; mobile plans about €19 and broadband about €14.
Source: Sofiyska Voda: Water tariff from 1 January 2026; Energy and Water Regulatory Commission: Final district heating prices from 1 July 2026; BG Ledger: Regulated utility tariffs in Bulgaria; Numbeo: Cost of living in Sofia (updated 12 October 2026)7,8,9,1
Everyday prices
| Item | Average price |
|---|---|
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | €15.00 |
| Three-course meal for two, mid-range restaurant | €60.00 |
| Cappuccino | €3.15 |
| Draught beer, 0.5 litre | €3.28 |
| Milk, 1 litre | €1.76 |
| White bread, 500 g | €1.36 |
| Eggs, 12 | €3.90 |
| Chicken fillets, 1 kg | €7.71 |
| Tomatoes, 1 kg | €3.85 |
| Fitness club, a month | €41.35 |
| Cinema ticket | €9.00 |
| Private full-day kindergarten, a month | €682.01 |
| International primary school, a year | €11,298.19 |
Source: Numbeo: Cost of living in Sofia (updated 12 October 2026)1
Wages in Sofia
The average gross monthly wage in Sofia was €1,943 in the second quarter of 2026, the highest of any province; the national average was €1,444. Numbeo users put the average net salary in Sofia at about €1,541.10,12,1
Business in the capital, its universities and its districts are on the Sofia city guide, and offices on Office Buildings in Sofia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to live in Sofia per month?
Numbeo puts monthly costs in Sofia at about €764 for a single person and €2,783 for a family of four, excluding rent, as of October 2026. A one-bedroom flat in the centre adds about €697 a month, or €541 outside the centre.
How much is rent in Sofia?
About €697 a month for a one-bedroom flat in the centre and €1,370 for three bedrooms, on Numbeo averages. Two-bedroom flats were listed at about €905 a month on imot.bg in October 2026.
How much is public transport in Sofia?
A Ticket 30+ costs €0.80 and a day card €2.00. A personalised monthly card for all daytime lines costs €25.50 and an annual card €185, with lower fares for pensioners, people over 68 and students.
What is the average salary in Sofia?
The average gross monthly wage in Sofia was €1,943 in the second quarter of 2026, the highest of any province, against a national average of €1,444.
Is Sofia expensive compared with the rest of Bulgaria?
Sofia is the most expensive Bulgarian city on Numbeo. Living costs for a single person are about a quarter above the national average, and rents are higher still.
Sources
- Numbeo: Cost of living in Sofia (updated 12 October 2026)
- Numbeo: Cost of living in Bulgaria (updated 12 October 2026)
- imot.bg: Two-bedroom flats to rent in Sofia, average of current listings
- BNT: Sofia public transport cards switch to prices in euro
- Visit Sofia: Metro and short-term tickets from 1 January 2026
- Metro Sofia: Tickets and passes, 2026 prices
- Sofiyska Voda: Water tariff from 1 January 2026
- Energy and Water Regulatory Commission: Final district heating prices from 1 July 2026 (in Bulgarian)
- BG Ledger: Regulated utility tariffs in Bulgaria
- BTA: Average gross wages by province, Q2 2026 (Bulgarian)
- BTA: 7,630 apartments under construction for sale in Sofia (Colliers)
- Fakti: Average wage reached €1,444 in Q2 2026 (NSI, Bulgarian)
Figures checked 15 October 2026. Prepared by InvestBulgaria for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.
