Bulgaria vs Greece
Bulgaria costs roughly 12% less than Greece. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Bulgaria is approximately 12% less expensive than Greece based on cost of living including rent. This makes Bulgaria a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Bulgaria has a FIRE Score of 92/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 63.9, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Bulgaria is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Bulgaria
Skip this if you need fluent English or a large expat safety net, expat friendliness scores just 6/10 and English proficiency is medium at best. But a flat 10% income tax, $472 rent, and a 280 EUR/month retirement visa threshold (retirement visa not currently available) make Bulgaria a strong pick for budget-focused retirees or remote workers optimizing for cash flow over comfort.
$1,837/mo
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About Greece
Progressive tax brackets climbing to 44% will hit high earners hard, making Greece a poor fit for anyone still drawing a large US salary. Retirees living on the required USD 3,997/mo FIP visa income look past this easily, since $893.50/mo covers living costs before rent. A 1BR near the center runs around $560.16/mo, and high English proficiency smooths daily life despite the medium 53.6 safety score.
$1,546/mo
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Rent Per Month
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Bulgaria | Greece |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 1: Normal Precautions | Level 1: Normal Precautions |
| Quality of Life Index | 143.8 +5.7 | 138.1 |
| Healthcare Index | 58.1 | 58.5 +0.4 |
| Safety Index | 63.9 +10.3 | 53.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 41.6 +4.9 | 46.5 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $690.9 +202.6 | $893.5 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $2,507.3 +648.9 | $3,156.2 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $472.08 +88.08 | $560.16 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $364.56 +77.49 | $442.05 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $783.4 +168.88 | $952.28 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $578.75 +180.81 | $759.56 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 191.98 Mbps +10.2 | 181.77 Mbps |
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Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths for Bulgaria and Greece, side by side.
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