Cost of Living in Bulgaria: A Complete Guide on Living Expenses

Bulgaria is a Balkan country with diverse terrain, offering a high quality of life and stunning natural beauty. A cultural melting pot with Greek, Ottoman, Slavic, and Persian influences, it boasts a rich heritage of traditional music, dance, costumes, and crafts. Moreover, students and expats often find the nation ideal for living. If you are thinking of moving there, then make sure you are aware of its living expenses. So, in this blog, we will discuss in detail the cost of living in Bulgaria. You will learn about the various expenses you can expect in the country, such as transportation costs, utility bills, housing prices, and restaurant expenses. 

Also Read: Cost of Living in Lithuania: A Comprehensive Guide on Lithuania’s Expenses

Cost of Living in Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, the average monthly living cost of a family of four is INR 184,639.73, while it is INR 52,360.18 for an individual without rent. Let’s understand in detail the cost of living in Bulgaria:

Transportation

The transportation costs in Bulgaria are shown in the table given below: 

Price of a One-way Ticket for Local Transport	INR 73.92
Regular Price of Monthly Pass	INR 2,310.08
Cost of Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	INR 97.02
Cost of Taxi 1 km (Normal Tariff)	INR 56.37
Cost of Taxi 1 hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	INR 970.23

Grocery Expenses

The table below lists the average grocery prices in Bulgaria:

Price of 1 litre Milk (regular)	INR 141.84
Price of 1 kg Rice (white)	INR 166.33
Price of Eggs (regular) (12)	INR 271.20
Cost of Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	INR 82.70

Restaurant Costs

The table below demonstrates the average restaurant expenses you can expect to bear in the country:

Price of Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant	INR 837.63
Price of Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course	INR 3,095.50

Utility Costs

Here are the average utility expenses in Bulgaria:

Basic Utility Cost (Heating, Electricity, Cooling, Water, and Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment	INR 9,657.96
Monthly Plan of Mobile Phone with Calls and 10GB+ Data	INR 1,407.30
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	INR 1,079.27

Housing Costs

Have a look at the housing costs in the country: 

Monthly Rent for a 1-bedroom Apartment in the City Centre	INR 34,968.08
Monthly Rent for a 1-bedroom Apartment Outside of the Centre	INR 26,300.67
Monthly Rent for a 3-bedroom Apartment in the City Centre	INR 62,499.10
Monthly Rent for a 3-bedroom Apartment Outside of the Centre	INR 44,698.58
The price per Square Meter to Buy an Apartment in the City Centre	INR 166,054.71
The Price per Square Meter to Buy an Apartment Outside of Centre	INR 110,284.40

Also Read: Cost of Living in Georgia: A Comprehensive Guide on Georgia’s Expense

Average Tuition Fees in Bulgaria

Don’t forget to factor in the education expenses while calculating your cost of living in Bulgaria. So, here are the average tuition fees charged at the universities in Bulgaria:

Average Annual Tuition Fees for Undergraduate Courses	INR 261,794.42 to INR 352,068.48
Average Annual Tuition Fees for Postgraduate Courses	INR 270,822.19 to INR 352,068.48
Average Annual Tuition Fees for PhD Courses	INR 361,095.79 to INR 722,192.05

Why Choose Bulgaria to Study Abroad?

Before we jump onto the cost of living in Bulgaria, let’s understand why you should pursue your education here. So, here are some of the major reasons why you should study here:

High-Quality Education: The universities in Bulgaria are known for their high standards of education, offering top-notch programs in a wide range of fields. 

Affordable Cost of Education: Bulgaria reportedly has the lowest average tuition costs and living costs among the 27 EU countries. 

Great Public Transportation System: The country boasts a convenient public transportation system that allows students to do hassle-free travel. 

Things to Know When Moving to Bulgaria

So, have you finally decided to move to Bulgaria? If yes, then here are some of the significant things you should know about the country before moving there: 

Ideal Climate for Outdoor Activities: Bulgaria is known for its ideal climate in all seasons for outdoor activities. Its two climatic regions include a continental climate in the north and a Mediterranean climate in the south. 

Affordable Cost of Living: Its living expenses are very affordable when compared to other European countries. This allows you to live a good quality of life without breaking the bank. 

Mountains and Sea: Bulgaria is among those rare destinations where you can witness spectacular mountain sceneries existing alongside sunny beaches. You can spend some time in the rich Alpine forests of Borovets after lunch and still be able to reach Sozopol for a swim in the Black Sea by late afternoon.

Community: Bulgarians are known to be warm, social, and naturally curious. Social life is an integral part of living here and the locals love to celebrate. 

Relaxed Pace of Life: Bulgaria has a slow and relaxed pace of life. The work environment is very employee friendly and people here focus more on living life than work. 

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FAQs

So, this was all about the cost of living in Bulgaria. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.