Cost of living in Sofia (Bulgaria) is 25% cheaper than in Lisbon (Portugal)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,374 prices entered by 185 different people.
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Food | - 3% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Sofia (Bulgaria) is about the same as in Lisbon (Portugal) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Sofia | Lisbon | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 19 лв (€10) | €11 | - 13% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 12 лв (€6) | €7 | - 11% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 9 лв (€4.39) | €3.34 | + 32% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 3.20 лв (€1.64) | €0.97 | + 69% | |
12 eggs, large | 7 лв (€3.55) | €2.76 | + 28% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 4.32 лв (€2.21) | €2.14 | + 3% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 10 лв (€5.16) | €5.31 | - 3% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2.28 лв (€1.17) | €1.90 | - 38% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 1.84 лв (€0.94) | €1.18 | - 20% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.74 лв (€0.89) | €1.12 | - 21% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 14 лв (€7) | €4.95 | + 46% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 2.94 лв (€1.51) | €2.35 | - 36% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.35 лв (€0.69) | €0.81 | - 15% | |
Housing | - 50% | |||
Housing in Sofia (Bulgaria) is 50% cheaper than in Lisbon (Portugal) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Sofia | Lisbon | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,347 лв (€689) | €1,493 | - 54% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 763 лв (€390) | €1,005 | - 61% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 246 лв (€126) | €157 | - 20% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 885 лв (€453) | €1,097 | - 59% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 581 лв (€297) | €724 | - 59% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 146 лв (€74) | €104 | - 28% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 16 лв (€8) | €26 | - 70% | |
40” flat screen tv | 599 лв (€306) | €347 | - 12% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 279 лв (€143) | €78 | + 82% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 23 лв (€12) | €7 | + 66% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 13 лв (€7) | €9 | - 22% | |
Clothes | - 14% | |||
Clothes in Sofia (Bulgaria) is 14% cheaper than in Lisbon (Portugal) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Sofia | Lisbon | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 98 лв (€50) | €85 | - 41% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 54 лв (€28) | €31 | - 10% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 259 лв (€133) | €81 | + 64% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 123 лв (€63) | €96 | - 34% | |
Transportation | - 25% | |||
Transportation in Sofia (Bulgaria) is 25% cheaper than in Lisbon (Portugal) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Sofia | Lisbon | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 44,830 лв (€22,928) | €29,963 | - 23% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2.99 лв (€1.53) | €1.91 | - 20% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 54 лв (€27) | €38 | - 28% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 14 лв (€7) | €11 | - 38% | |
Personal Care | - 17% | |||
Personal Care in Sofia (Bulgaria) is 17% cheaper than in Lisbon (Portugal) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Sofia | Lisbon | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 15 лв (€7) | €4.57 | + 64% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 25 лв (€13) | €8 | + 63% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 48 лв (€25) | €77 | - 68% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 11 лв (€5.73) | €4.81 | + 19% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 5.87 лв (€3.00) | €3.80 | - 21% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 11 лв (€5.49) | €6 | - 10% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 3.41 лв (€1.75) | €2.53 | - 31% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 5.36 лв (€2.74) | €2.39 | + 15% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 20 лв (€10) | €15 | - 32% | |
Entertainment | - 10% | |||
Entertainment in Sofia (Bulgaria) is 10% cheaper than in Lisbon (Portugal) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Sofia | Lisbon | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 48 лв (€24) | €35 | - 31% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 27 лв (€14) | €15 | - 5% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 79 лв (€40) | €55 | - 27% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 85 лв (€43) | €47 | - 8% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 13 лв (€7) | €11 | - 41% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 5.28 лв (€2.70) | €3.24 | - 17% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 4.22 лв (€2.16) | €2.06 | + 5% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 1,351 лв (€691) | €487 | + 42% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.38 лв (€0.19) | €0.23 | - 16% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 48 лв (€24) | €35 | - 29% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 6 лв (€3.10) | €5.21 | - 40% | |
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TOTAL | - 25% |

These prices were last updated on February 08, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.511
EUR
/
BGN
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require €4,700 in Lisbon you would need to make just about €3,513 (6,869 лв) in Sofia.
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