Cost of living in Sofia (Bulgaria) is 40% cheaper than in Cologne (Germany)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 278 prices entered by 48 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 28% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Sofia (Bulgaria) is 28% cheaper than in Cologne (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Sofia | Cologne | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 18 лв (€9) | €17 | - 44% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 14 лв (€7) | €9 | - 22% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 9 лв (€4.51) | €4.54 | - 1% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 3.30 лв (€1.69) | €1.38 | + 23% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 7 лв (€3.70) | €4.18 | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 3.90 лв (€2.00) | €3.67 | - 46% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 10 лв (€5.25) | €6 | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2.45 лв (€1.26) | €2.47 | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.15 лв (€1.10) | €1.89 | - 42% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 2.05 лв (€1.05) | €1.06 | - 1% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 16 лв (€8) | €7 | + 19% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2.75 лв (€1.41) | €2.10 | - 33% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.14 лв (€0.58) | €1.19 | - 51% | |
| Housing | - 55% | |||
| Housing in Sofia (Bulgaria) is 55% cheaper than in Cologne (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Sofia | Cologne | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,428 лв (€730) | €1,929 | - 62% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 994 лв (€508) | €1,540 | - 67% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 303 лв (€155) | €188 | - 18% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 872 лв (€446) | €1,167 | - 62% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 648 лв (€331) | €897 | - 63% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 140 лв (€71) | €134 | - 47% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 20 лв (€10) | €27 | - 61% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 584 лв (€299) | €480 | - 38% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 218 лв (€111) | €91 | + 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 29 лв (€15) | €5.59 | + 168% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 22 лв (€11) | €16 | - 29% | |
| Clothes | - 35% | |||
| Clothes in Sofia (Bulgaria) is 35% cheaper than in Cologne (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Sofia | Cologne | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 91 лв (€46) | €86 | - 46% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 59 лв (€30) | €48 | - 37% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 212 лв (€108) | €90 | + 20% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 114 лв (€58) | €115 | - 49% | |
| Transportation | - 49% | |||
| Transportation in Sofia (Bulgaria) is 49% cheaper than in Cologne (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Sofia | Cologne | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 46,527 лв (€23,798) | €28,416 | - 16% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2.73 лв (€1.40) | €1.85 | - 25% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 45 лв (€23) | €63 | - 64% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 15 лв (€7) | €20 | - 63% | |
| Personal Care | + 1% | |||
| Personal Care in Sofia (Bulgaria) is about the same as in Cologne (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Sofia | Cologne | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 12 лв (€6) | €6 | + 1% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 22 лв (€11) | €10 | + 11% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 66 лв (€34) | €46 | - 28% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 10 лв (€5.00) | €3.18 | + 57% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 5.53 лв (€2.83) | €2.06 | + 38% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 5.79 лв (€2.96) | €2.09 | + 42% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 3.49 лв (€1.79) | €1.66 | + 8% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 5.02 лв (€2.57) | €1.43 | + 79% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 21 лв (€11) | €22 | - 51% | |
| Entertainment | - 20% | |||
| Entertainment in Sofia (Bulgaria) is 20% cheaper than in Cologne (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Sofia | Cologne | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 50 лв (€26) | €36 | - 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 25 лв (€13) | €20 | - 36% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 54 лв (€28) | €195 | - 86% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 92 лв (€47) | €69 | - 32% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 13 лв (€7) | €8 | - 18% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 5.15 лв (€2.64) | €2.89 | - 9% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 4.18 лв (€2.14) | €4.37 | - 51% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 1,222 лв (€625) | €498 | + 26% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.27 лв (€0.14) | €0.08 | + 65% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 57 лв (€29) | €33 | - 11% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 7 лв (€3.71) | €7 | - 46% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 40% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 278 prices entered by 48 different people.
These prices were last updated on October 15, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.511
EUR
/
BGN
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require €6,300 in Cologne you would need to make just about €3,764 (7,359 лв) in Sofia.
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