Montenegro : Cost of Living by CityHow Much Does It Cost to Live in Podgorica?
Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro, and as such, it would be expected for it to be more expensive.
However, it is not, because Montenegro has a very popular riviera brimming with little cities and towns that are much more costly than Podgorica which is in the very center of the country and doesn’t have an exit on the Adriatic Sea.
Due to the fact that Podgorica is in the center of the country of Montenegro, it is less popular then the cities that go along the sea, yet much less expensive.
Cost of Living Breakdown in Podgorica
RESTAURANTS
You can find both cheap and expensive restaurants in Montenegro, it all depends on where you want to eat. If you’re eating in Podgorica, than have no worries because the restaurants are less expensive here than by the sea. Generally speaking, you can find a decent meal for around 6$ in an inexpensive restaurant.
| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $5.73 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.83 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.98 |
MARKETS
You’ll find many supermarkets in Podgorica, whether outside of the city center or inside (these markets are smaller). The bread is nice and fresh, the local beer (Nikšićko) is cheap and good, while soft drinks are a bit more expensive. Local beer, vodka and wine are all good and much cheaper than in the clubs. The fruit and veggies are also reasonably priced.
| Average Market Prices | |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 Liter) | $0.86 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $0.57 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.69 |
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation is mostly unreliable but you can always catch a bus or a train with a couple of minutes waiting (for trains, it’s more than a couple of minutes). Taxis are always an option, but be careful because the taxi drivers are known to overprice you for the ride if they sense that you’re a naive tourist.
| Average Transport Prices | |
|---|---|
| One Way Ticket | $1.03 |
| Monthly Pass | $28.67 |
| Gasoline | $1.53 |
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Utilities aren’t too expensive. For an apartment of a normal size (of about 85m2) they are about 100$, including electricity, heating, gas, cooling and water. Cell phone services are considerably lower than in most countries, while high-speed internet can get a bit pricey, varying along the lines of 30$ per month.
| Average Utilities Prices | |
|---|---|
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $110.14 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.15 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $29.27 |
SPORTS & LEISURE
As expected, you will have to cash out a bit more money if you want to indulge in sports and fitness activities and pass your time this way. However, these are reasonable prices for this part of Europe, and most tourists interested in sports will be able to pay for fitness centers that cost about 30$ a month. Renting a tennis court for an hour costs around 10$ in Montenegro. Other ways of pastime, like going to a cinema are mostly affordable, too.
| Average Leisure Prices | |
|---|---|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $33.54 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $10.75 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $4.82 |
CLOTHING & SHOES
When it comes to clothing and shoes, this is something that isn’t quite necessary for any tourist, but if you happen to want to go shopping, be careful because the prices aren’t very low. You can find quality jeans like Levi’s for over 70$, dresses and shirts for 40$, while quality shoes and sneakers cost around 80$.
| Average Clothing Prices | |
|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $74.91 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $37.58 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $81.28 |
RENT PER MONTH
As everywhere, living and renting apartments, studios or houses depends on the neighborhood and the type of living facility you’re renting. You can expect an apartment for one or two people in the city center to cost up to 350$, while apartments for larger families can cost twice as much and more, depending on the area where you’re renting.
| Average Rent Prices | |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $347.44 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $254.56 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $558.99 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Podgorica?
Taking into consideration the statistics provided, it can be said that people in Montenegro spend most their money in supermarkets and markets, buying food and necessities.
They also spend a lot of money covering their taxes, rent expenses and utilities, which is normal, considering that these are things that need to be paid.
In Montenegro, people also spend a lot of money on transportation.
Apart from going to restaurants, it seems that people in Montenegro practice sports and leisure and enjoy this more than spending their money on clothing and shoes.
Average Costs Breakdown
Podgorica: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Minimum wage in Montenegro is around 200$ which is very low and cannot cover the basic monthly expenses.
If you’re planning on living modestly in Montenegro, you will need somewhere around 700$ per month, if you’re living in the city.
However, people living in villages are used to a more modest life and spend less money.
Average salary in Montenegro is around 500$, which is also not enough to cover all your expenses if you want to afford most things necessary for a living.
Podgorica Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Podgorica Safety Review
| OVERALL RISK | MEDIUM |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK | LOW |
| PICKPOCKETS RISK | MEDIUM |
| NATURAL DISASTERS RISK | LOW |
| MUGGING RISK | LOW |
| TERRORISM RISK | LOW |
| SCAMS RISK | LOW |
| WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK | LOW |
Ah yes, a hidden gem in the heart of nowhere. Who wouldn’t want to pay less for the privilege of being surrounded by all that… nothing? Sounds like a real paradise.
Sounds like Podgorica is the perfect vacation spot for anyone who wants to save a few bucks while getting a taste of Montenegro. Who needs a beach when you can have affordable coffee and a view of… well, whatever’s in the center?