Cost of Living in Belgrade: let’s analyze the cost of food, real estate, entertainment and transport in Belgrade, Serbia
Are you considering moving to Belgrade, Serbia? Check below the data for the cost of living in Belgrade, the capital and biggest city of Serbia.
Cost of Living in Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and its largest city is the most visited the Balkans. It is famous for its bustling night life, low prices , and its vibrant lifestyle.
Belgrade is a city that is constantly changing. Recently large infrastructure projects are under development and attracting foreign investment and expats.
It holds a great geographic position on the crossroads between the West and the East. The transport infrastructure connecting Belgrade to the world is rapidly improving, and one can even fly directly from Belgrade Airport to New York or China (as of 2018).
The cost of living in Belgrade is significantly lower than in the Western or Central Europe. The rent prices are considerably lower, but the salaries are also well below most European countries. Taxes are moderate and the the residency process is one of the most relaxed in Europe
Let’s check some data for the cost of living in Belgrade:
The currency in Serbia is the Serbian dinar. The conversion rate to the USD is 1 dollar to 106.97 RSD as of October 10, 2024.
If you want to suggest your own values based on your experiences in this city, click on edit and insert the values. Upon moderation they will be calculated to be displayed with the average prices below.
| Food | Price [EDIT] |
|---|---|
| 1 liter of milk | 0.87 USD |
| 1 loaf of bread | 0.52 USD |
| 1 kg of tomatoes | 1.35 USD |
| 1 kg of chicken | 4.50 USD |
| 1 single meal cheap restaurant | 5.70 USD |
| 1 single meal high-end restaurant | 19.00 USD |
| 1 cappuccino or latte | 2.00 USD |
| 1 big pizza delivery | 12.00 USD |
| Real Estate | Price [EDIT] |
| 1 bedroom flat (40 m2) rent per month | 370.00 USD |
| 1 bedroom flat (40 m2) utilities per month | 90.00 USD |
| 2 bedroom flat (80 m2) rent per month | 550.00 USD |
| 2 bedroom flat (80 m2) utilities per month | 141.00 USD |
| Price per square meter (city center) | 2,250.00 USD |
| Transport | Price [EDIT] |
| 1 single ride public transport | 0.85 USD |
| Monthly public transport ticket | 35.00 USD |
| 1 km taxi or similar transport app | 0.70 USD |
| 1 liter of gasoline (1/4 gallon) | 1.80 USD |
| Toyota Corolla (new) basic version | 20,850.00 USD |
| Salaries | Price [EDIT] |
| Minimum Salary | 332.00 USD |
| Average Salary (net) | 520.00 USD |
| Extras | Price [EDIT] |
| 1 ticket to the movies (adult price) | 7.00 USD |
| High speed internet per month | 27.00 USD |
| 1 month gym subscription | 30.00 USD |
Cost of Living for Students in Belgrade, Serbia
Even if Belgrade is a great city for studying, just about 2% of students in Belgrade universities are from other countries. There is no option for a paid scholarship if you are not Serbian (or from the Serbian diaspora) and only a few faculties offer programs in the English language.
One of the faculties that has program in English is Faculty of Medicine in the University of Belgrade. However, the prices for courses in English are much higher than in Serbian, so learning Serbian would be a good investment. Tuition fees varies from faculty to faculty, but still much lower than countries like the US, UK, Canada, or even other European countries like Czechia and Estonia.
But there are some conveniences when it comes to studying in Belgrade. For example students dorms are very affordable when compared to the rest of Europe. A room starts at just 120$ per month for international students. The prices in student restaurants are also affordable.
Private universities are on the rise in Belgrade and they offer almost the same conditions to both Serbian and international students with the tuition fees from 900 to 4500 USD per year.
Here are the most popular universities in Belgrade:
Getting a job in Belgrade
Belgrade has one of the fastest growing IT sectors in Europe, with many positions for English speakers such as software engineers and app developers. Other positions to look at are in management and sales. There is also a good amount of positions for Italian and German speakers.
Wages for the jobs listed above are excellent when compared to other jobs on the Serbian market, but also lower than some neighboring countries like Croatia or Hungary. However, you can expect higher wages than in some other countries in the region like Macedonia and even Bulgaria, an EU member.
Here are some websites for job searching in Belgrade:
Quality of Life in Belgrade
Belgrade has an excellent social and cultural life. Cultural events like concerts, operas, theatre shows are quite affordable and yet offer quality entertainment. Belgrade also hosts some of the best sports events and international music stars.
You should be able to communicate in English on every step. Serbs are very friendly and always willing to help. The other languages you can expect to communicate in are German and French, but the safest bet is still English.
If you are visiting Belgrade soon you may want to check some of our guides to Serbia. Check the best places to places to stay in Belgrade and our article on the how to travel from the Belgrade Airport to the city center. For those willing to stay longer, check our guide on how to retire in Serbia. For those traveling in the region, check the cost of living in Sarajevo and the best places to stay in Zagreb.
Other Resources for Expats and Travelers
Salaries Worldwide: check our articles on wages worldwide and understand better the economics of the countries you may be considering to move or invest.
Retire Abroad: check our retirement guides and maximize your retirement income and quality of life.
Jetradar: compare and find the cheapest air fares worldwide.