Cost of Living in Serbia 2025 – Real Numbers

The short answer

Serbia is significantly cheaper than Western Europe. A comfortable life in Belgrade costs €700–1,000/month for a single person. A couple can live well for €1,200–1,600/month.

Outside Belgrade (Novi Sad, Niš, smaller cities), prices drop another 20–30%.

        The big picture for remote workers: If you earn in euros or dollars from foreign clients, you'll quickly notice your money going much further. What might cost €3,000/month in Berlin or London costs under €1,000 here at a similar standard of living. That difference is what attracts so many remote workers.
      

Monthly budgets

🧳 Budget lifestyle

€550–700

Small apartment (studio, outskirts) €250–350

Groceries (cooking at home mostly) €120–150

Transport (bus pass) €22

Phone + internet €20–30

Eating out occasionally €60–80

Utilities (electricity, water, heating) €50–80

🏙️ Comfortable lifestyle (most expats)

€900–1,300

1-bedroom apartment, city centre €450–600

Groceries + occasional delivery €150–200

Eating out 3–4x per week €120–180

Transport (mix of public + ride apps) €40–60

Phone + internet + Netflix etc. €40–50

Utilities €60–90

Gym + leisure €50–80

✨ Well-off lifestyle

€1,600–2,500+

Large modern apartment, prime location €800–1,400

Food, restaurants, bars, travel €400–600

Private health insurance €60–100

Car or frequent taxis €150–250

Everything else €200–300

Everyday prices — what things actually cost

Item	Price (EUR)
Coffee in a café	€1–2
Beer in a bar	€1.50–2.50
Lunch at a local restaurant	€5–8
Dinner for two at a decent restaurant	€20–35
Loaf of bread	€0.50–0.80
1 litre of milk	€0.80–1
1kg of chicken breast	€4–5
Cinema ticket	€4–6
Monthly gym membership	€25–50
Bus/tram single ticket	€0.85
Monthly transport pass	€22
Short taxi/ride-app trip across city	€3–6
Haircut (barber)	€5–10
Private GP doctor visit	€20–40

Rent — the biggest variable

Rent has increased over the last few years due to an influx of expats, but Belgrade is still very affordable by any Western European standard.

Apartment type	Belgrade centre	Belgrade suburbs	Novi Sad / Niš
Studio / 1-room	€350–550	€250–400	€200–350
1 bedroom	€450–700	€300–500	€250–450
2 bedrooms	€600–1,000	€450–700	€350–600
Large / luxury	€1,000–2,000+	€700–1,200	€500–900

Rent is usually paid in euros (even though Serbia uses dinars). Most leases are month-to-month or fixed 12 months. It's normal for landlords to ask for 1–2 months deposit upfront.

How does it compare to other countries?

Belgrade is roughly 50–60% cheaper than London, 40–50% cheaper than Berlin or Amsterdam, and 20–30% cheaper than Warsaw or Bucharest. For someone earning a Western salary remotely, the purchasing power advantage is enormous.

How Much Does it Cost to Live in Serbia?