Bulgaria · Plovdiv

Cost of Living in Plovdiv, Bulgaria for Expats (2026)

Key Takeaway

Detailed 2026 cost of living in Plovdiv, Bulgaria: rent, groceries, transport, utilities, healthcare. Monthly budgets for singles (€714) and families (€1,530).

Updated 2026-03-12 · Currency: EUR · Confidence: 75/100

Planning to move to Plovdiv? Here is a complete breakdown of the cost of living for expats in Plovdiv, Bulgaria as of 2026. All figures are in EUR for easy cross-country comparison.

Monthly Cost Snapshot

1BR Rent (Centre)
€408/mo
1BR Rent (Outside)
€280/mo
Groceries (Single)
€178/mo
Transport Pass
€43/mo
Utilities (85m²)
€86/mo
Internet
€18/mo
Health Insurance
€36/mo
Entertainment & Dining
€57/mo

Full Cost Breakdown

Plovdiv — Full Breakdown
1BR Apartment (Centre)€408/mo
1BR Apartment (Outside)€280/mo
3BR Apartment (Centre)€898/mo
3BR Apartment (Outside)€629/mo
Groceries (Single)€178/mo
Monthly Transport Pass€43/mo
Utilities (85m² Flat)€86/mo
Internet€18/mo
Health Insurance (Single)€36/mo
Entertainment & Dining€57/mo
Total Single (Centre)€714/mo
Total Single (Outside)€607/mo
Total Family of 4 (Centre)€1,530/mo
Total Family of 4 (Outside)€1,300/mo
Student Budget€464/mo

Compared to Country Average

CategoryPlovdivBulgaria AvgDifference
1BR Rent (Centre)€408€493-17% below avg
Total Single (Centre)€714€850-16% below avg
Total Family (Centre)€1,530€1,819-16% below avg
Groceries€178€212-16% below avg
Transport€43€51-16% below avg

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to live in Plovdiv in 2026?

A single expat living in central Plovdiv should budget approximately €714 per month, covering rent, groceries, transport, utilities, healthcare, and entertainment. A family of four needs around €1,530/month.

How much is rent in Plovdiv for expats?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Plovdiv city centre costs around €408/month. Outside the centre, expect to pay approximately €280/month. A 3-bedroom apartment in the centre is around €898/month.

Is Plovdiv expensive compared to other cities in Bulgaria?

Plovdiv has a cost index of 67% relative to the capital. There are 3 cities tracked in Bulgaria for comparison.

Related: Bulgaria Guide · Bulgaria Salaries · Bulgaria Cost of Living · Visa Comparison · Compare Bulgaria · All Countries

Data sourced from numbeo. Last verified 2026-03-10.