Serbia vs Bulgaria
Bulgaria costs roughly 2% less than Serbia. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Bulgaria is approximately 2% less expensive than Serbia 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 Serbia
A 1BR in central Belgrade runs $514, less than a studio in most mid-size US cities, with a flat 10% income tax and a $711 monthly budget covering essentials easily. Retirement visa needs just EUR 400/mo income, among the lowest thresholds in Europe. The catch: no digital nomad visa and a path to permanent residency exists, but permanent residency does not necessarily lead to EU stability.
$1,775/mo
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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
Not sure which Bulgaria visa you qualify for?
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Serbia | Bulgaria |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 1: Normal Precautions |
| Quality of Life Index | 124.8 | 143.8 +19.0 |
| Healthcare Index | 52.1 | 58.1 +6.0 |
| Safety Index | 62.8 | 63.9 +1.1 |
| Cost of Living Index | 42.6 | 41.6 +1.0 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $711.5 | $690.9 +20.6 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $2,474.6 +32.7 | $2,507.3 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $513.94 | $472.08 +41.86 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $380.7 | $364.56 +16.14 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $956.49 | $783.4 +173.09 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $686.17 | $578.75 +107.42 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 110.27 Mbps | 191.98 Mbps +81.7 |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Bulgaria. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
Get covered before you move to Bulgaria. Genki Traveler offers insurance designed for nomads and expats.
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