Bulgaria🇧🇬
At a Glance
How Bulgaria compares across key indices
Cost of Living
41 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
65/100
Healthcare
58/100
Quality of Life
151/200
Climate
81/100
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Bulgaria
Cost of Living
41
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
10
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
42
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
42
100 = NYC dining
City Costs Comparison
Vidin
Cheapest$835/mo
Stara Zagora
$878/mo
Plovdiv
$1,207/mo
Burgas
$1,237/mo
Varna
$1,362/mo
Sofia
$1,579/mo
Safety & Crime
Moderate RiskHow safe residents feel in Bulgaria — based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
65/100
Crime Index
35/100
Lower is better
Crime Trend
46/100
Mixed perception
Walking Safety
24 point drop from day to night
Problem Severity
0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem
What Residents Worry About
Based on 1,084 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.
Cities in Bulgaria
Bulgaria has 6 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $835 in Vidin to $1,579 in Sofia. Plovdiv leads on safety, scoring 76/100. Plovdiv ranks highest for quality of life at 159/200.
Vidin
$835/mo
Plovdiv
76/100
Plovdiv
159/200
Varna
64/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vidin | $835 | — | — | — | — |
| Stara Zagora | $878 | — | — | — | — |
| Plovdiv | $1,207 | 76/100 | 159/200 | 60/100 | 57 |
| Burgas | $1,237 | — | — | — | 46 |
| Varna | $1,362 | 66/100 | 150/200 | 64/100 | 58 |
| Sofia | $1,579 | 61/100 | 144/200 | 59/100 | 67 |
Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for Bulgaria
Healthcare Index
58/100
Quality Breakdown
How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality
Based on 467 survey responses
Insurance Coverage
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Environment
ModerateAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Bulgaria
Pollution Index
58/100
Lower is better
Environmental Quality
Concerns
0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern
Based on 778 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Transport & Commute
How people get around in Bulgaria
Average One-Way Commute
29minutes
Short
Traffic Index
99
Below average congestion
Inefficiency
91
Time wasted in traffic
CO2 Emissions
2.7kg/trip
How People Commute
Based on 399 survey responses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Bulgaria, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria has a cost of living index of 41 relative to New York City (100). It is moderately affordable compared to the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $835 in Vidin and reach $1,579 in Sofia.
What is the cheapest city in Bulgaria for expats?
Vidin is the most affordable city in Bulgaria with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $835 for a single person including rent. Stara Zagora is the next most affordable at $878/mo.
Is Bulgaria safe for expats?
Bulgaria has a safety index of 65/100, making it generally safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Plovdiv scores highest on safety at 76/100.
What is the best city in Bulgaria for expats and digital nomads?
Plovdiv ranks highest for quality of life in Bulgaria, scoring 159/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $1,207/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Vidin offers the lowest monthly costs at $835/mo.
How good is healthcare in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria scores 58/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it adequate by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.
Is Bulgaria cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Bulgaria's cost of living is roughly 59% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 90% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for Bulgaria
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