Cost of living in Stara Zagora
Stara Zagora, a city in Bulgaria, offers a unique blend of historical charm and modern amenities. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering relocation or planning a visit.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses, including housing, dining, transportation, and more, to help you budget effectively.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $8.09 on average, with a range between $6.47 and $16.17.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $40.44, with prices ranging from $26.96 to $53.91.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $8.63.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $0.7 to $2.7, imported beer $1.62 to $3.23, cappuccino $1.08 to $2.16, and Coke/Pepsi $0.92 to $1.62.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced between $1.35 and $2.16 per liter, averaging $1.91.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.43 and $1.24, with an average price of $0.97.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.94 to $3.23, averaging $2.5.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.02 to $2.16 per kg, while oranges range from $1.62 to $2.1 per kg.
- Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.65 and $1.19 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.43 to $1.35 per head.
Transportation
- Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $0.81 and $0.86, with a monthly pass priced between $17.25 and $32.35.
- Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.36 and $1.62 per liter.
- Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $0.54, with a cost of $0.54 to $1.02 per km and $10.78 per hour of waiting.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $161.74 to $242.61, averaging $188.7.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $161.74 to $188.7, averaging $175.22.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $323.48 to $431.31, averaging $368.41.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $242.61 to $296.53, averaging $269.57.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $700.88 to $1078.27, averaging $888.08.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $485.22 to $885.08, averaging $708.36.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $64.7 and $134.78, averaging $97.04.
- Internet - Internet services range from $6.47 to $16.17, with an average cost of $9.7.
Cost of Living Rankings
The cost of living indices for Bulgaria are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Bulgaria, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Cost of Living Data
Restaurants
Restaurants
Markets
Markets
Transportation
Transportation
Rent Per Month
Rent Per Month
Utilities (Monthly)
Utilities (Monthly)
Sports And Leisure
Sports And Leisure
Clothing And Shoes
Clothing And Shoes
Buy Apartment Price
Buy Apartment Price
Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Childcare
Childcare
"Key Takeaways"
Stara Zagora offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many European cities. Housing is particularly inexpensive, especially outside the city centre.
Dining out is affordable, with a variety of options ranging from casual to mid-range restaurants. Grocery prices are also reasonable, making it easy to manage daily expenses.
Transportation costs are low, with affordable public transport and taxi services. Utilities and internet services are competitively priced, contributing to the overall affordability of living in Stara Zagora.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Stara Zagora presents an attractive option for those seeking a cost-effective lifestyle in Bulgaria. The city combines affordable housing, reasonable dining and grocery prices, and low transportation costs.
Whether you're planning to move or just visiting, understanding these costs can help you budget effectively and make the most of your time in this charming Bulgarian city.