How Much Does It Cost to Live In Plovdiv?
When we speak about Europe as a future destination for settling, we usually think about countries where the living standards are lower, thus costs are more affordable, either.
Bulgaria is definitely among those favorite places where your living expenses would decrease once you move there and Plovdiv might be ideal city for that.
Actually, Plovdiv has everything an average person needs, plus it is among the least expensive in already very affordable Bulgaria.
Bulgaria : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
Around 13% of an individual’s income is spent in restaurants, which is more than on utilities, and that is due to the low prices of both meals and alcohol.
Considering the fact that everything is less expensive in Plovdiv, particularly food, eating out would not make a huge hole in your budget.
MARKETS
The overall prices in the local markets are affordable and people should take advantage of this and supply foodstuff there.
Fruit and vegetables are usually fresh, so it is better than in supermarkets.
Bread is very cheap, as well as all the other ingredients necessary for making your own meal.
TRANSPORTATION
Whether you want to commute by your own car or use public transport is up to you, but whichever you choose transportation will not take you much money.
Public transportation includes buses, trolley buses, trams and a single ticket costs $0.5.
Once you buy a ticket, it can be used for all the available vehicles.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
The prices of some basic utilities are constantly rising in whole Bulgaria, and the same situation is in Plovdiv, which adds to the cost of living.
However, Plovdiv has still affordable service prices which tend to vary from season to season.
The Internet access is far too cheap, being $11 per month.
SPORTS & LEISURE
When you take a look at the prices of fitness clubs and tennis courts, the first-hand impression is that they are affordable, and they actually are when compared to other more developed European countries.
However, people from Plovdiv who earn the minimum wages would not find it inexpensive.
CLOTHING & SHOES
The lifestyles of the vast majority of the families in Plovdiv do not include spending too much on apparel.
Quite contrary, only 4% of the monthly income is given for that.
On the other hand, people who come from the countries where clothing is expensive would spend much on the cheap designer clothes in Plovdiv.
RENT PER MONTH
The larger cities are more expensive to live in and that is why Plovdiv is ideal destination.
The rent would cost you much, but it is more affordable than in Sofia.
Savvy people would rent an apartment out of the city center and save more than $50 on it.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Plovdiv
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $5.83 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.17 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.62 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $4.25 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $0.50 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.65 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $0.58 |
| Monthly Pass | $23.31 |
| Gasoline | $4.84 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $87.69 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.13 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $11.66 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $26.6 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $12.41 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $6.99 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $53.43 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $26.85 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $73.73 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $247.71 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $194.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $428.76 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Plovdiv?
The entire costs of living include accommodation, bills, food, transport, spending time outside home and apparel.
All these require a lot of money, and the largest amount that new settlers have to pay is usually the rent for accommodation.
The data show that people in Plovdiv do not spend much on the rent, but that is due to the fact that the majority of them already possess the house.
Utilities are not expensive and almost equal amount is spent on them and sports.
Average Costs Breakdown
Plovdiv: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
When we compare the minimum monthly wage and the average salary, it can be noted that the difference is huge, exceeding $200, and that amount can be used to cover almost all the other expenses.
People who do not have the place of living and have to pay the rent would not be able to manage paying all the other services, as the price of renting an apartment typically ranges from $200 to $400 per month in Plovdiv.
The only way of saving some money on rent is buying your own property and for those who are interested in doing that it should be mentioned that mortgage interest rate is 4.50%.
Cost of Living by City in Plovdiv
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Burgas | 36.26 |
| Sofia | 40.36 |
| Varna | 39.13 |
