Where the numbers come from
The city baselines are editorial estimates assembled from public rental-market reviews (Q1 2026 market reports for Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna, live listing levels for the smaller cities) and cost-of-living trackers, cross-checked against official inflation statistics. Every figure carries the date it was last reviewed. We do not run a reader survey — when we say a number, we can point at where it came from.
- Rent. Median of a 60–80m² unfurnished flat in a "good but not central" neighbourhood, advertised price (locals do not negotiate down much).
- Groceries. A basket from Kaufland and the local Billa, repeated weekly. Eating out is in leisure.
- Utilities. Electricity (Bulgaria runs hot in summer and cold in winter — that matters), water, internet, mobile.
Why these six cities?
Together they cover roughly 80% of where foreigners actually settle. Sofia is the obvious one (jobs, embassies, the airport). Plovdiv is the alternative for people who want the cultural depth without the capital city tax. Varna and Burgas are the Black Sea twin choice. Bansko has become a digital nomad hub. Veliko Tarnovo is for people who want quiet and history.
Caveats and known gaps
These are medians, not your situation. A single 30-year-old engineer in Sofia eating out four times a week will pay more than the median; a pensioner couple in Veliko Tarnovo will pay less. The calculator nudges with sliders but cannot predict your life. Always pad 15% for first-year surprises (utility deposits, the caravan of paperwork fees, an unfamiliar tax bill).