Cost of Living in Belgrade
Summary of cost of living in Belgrade, Serbia:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 2,833.9$ (282,528.9Дин), excluding rent (using our estimator).
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 818.4$ (81,591.2Дин), excluding rent.
- Belgrade is 51.2% less expensive than New York (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
- Rent in Belgrade is, on average, 80.3% lower than in New York.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 1,345.00 Дин | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 6,000.00 Дин | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 1,200.00 Дин | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 350.00 Дин | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 400.00 Дин | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 295.31 Дин | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 296.92 Дин | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 233.59 Дин | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 144.69 Дин | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 95.87 Дин | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 132.18 Дин | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 273.30 Дин | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 479.69 Дин | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 338.76 Дин | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 682.04 Дин | |
| Apples (1 lb) | 76.74 Дин | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 93.55 Дин | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 93.03 Дин | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 103.60 Дин | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 46.20 Дин | |
| Onions (1 lb) | 36.36 Дин | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 87.05 Дин | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 71.84 Дин | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 800.00 Дин | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 91.54 Дин | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 166.41 Дин | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 480.00 Дин | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 0.00 Дин | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 0.00 Дин | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 320.00 Дин | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 168.98 Дин | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 1,800.00 Дин | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 187.81 Дин | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 3,198,724.31 Дин | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 2,634,352.40 Дин | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 23,523.37 Дин | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 2,231.90 Дин | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 3,980.23 Дин | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 4,300.37 Дин | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 2,645.00 Дин | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 821.57 Дин | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 45,651.55 Дин | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 1,013,551.99 Дин | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 11,967.57 Дин | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 4,694.27 Дин | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 11,595.09 Дин | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 15,043.34 Дин | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 89,870.96 Дин | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 61,042.87 Дин | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 168,839.15 Дин | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 111,349.71 Дин | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 48,460.50 Дин | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 28,731.30 Дин | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 126,873.17 Дин | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 4.84 | |
Prices in Belgrade
This city had 2403 entries in the past 12 months by 290 different contributors.
Last update: 16 April 2026
Last update: 16 April 2026
Sources and References
Moving to Belgrade? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Nearby Cities:| Cost of Living in Pancevo | 12.39 miles |
| Cost of Living in Titel | 36.29 miles |
| Cost of Living in Zrenjanin | 43.90 miles |
| Cost of Living in Sremska Mitrovica | 47.85 miles |
| Cost of Living in Novi Sad | 53.33 miles |
| Cost of Living in Sabac | 53.97 miles |
| Cost of Living in Smederevska Palanka | 56.70 miles |
| Cost of Living in Valjevo | 57.31 miles |
| Cost of Living in Kikinda | 80.84 miles |
| Cost of Living in Kragujevac | 85.05 miles |
This Page in Other Languages:
 DeutschLebenshaltungskosten in Belgrad
|
 PortuguêsCusto de Vida em Belgrado
|
 ItalianoCosto della vita a Belgrado
|
 FrançaisCoût de la vie à Belgrade
|
 EspañolCoste de vida en Belgrado
|
Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in Belgrade? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for Belgrade.
Since his arrival, salaries in Serbia have increased more than 3 times, GDP of Serbia has increased 3 times, gold reserves of Serbia have increased more than 4 times, unemployment has decreased from 26% to 8%.
New roads, airports, high-speed railways are being built in Serbia, and Serbia is preparing to host the EXPO world exhibition next year.
The Serbian Army is stronger than ever and Serbia has friends in all corners of the world.
This is only a part of what has been achieved thanks to the policies of Aleksandar Vučić in the past ten years.
Aleksandar Vučić is perhaps the only president in the world who can talk to the presidents of Russia, China, USA and the most important Arab leader in a few days.
First, you should clarify what poor quality meat means to you.
In Serbia, the production of GMO meat, which is produced in the EU, America and many other western countries, is prohibited by law.
Matijević meat is meat grown in Serbia.
Beef from 1,500 dinars in Serbia is premium quality in the West and can cost twice as much.
Bread that costs 1 euro in Serbia can cost up to 3 euros in the EU.
Fruits and vegetables are cheaper in Serbia than in most European countries.
It is also incorrect that gas is the most expensive in Serbia.
Serbia has the lowest gas price in Europe, fuel is more expensive than the European average but not as much as it is presented, per 100 liters of fuel it is about 20-30 euros more expensive in Serbia, although this is not the case at the moment because fuel in Europe has become more expensive due to the war in the Middle East.
Data on rent and salary are also misleading.
In Belgrade, a 1.0 apartment in the city center costs around 600-700 euros, and the average salary in that part of the city is around 1600 euros afte tax.
The average salary of the city of Belgrade is around 1300 euros and you can also find a apartment in some part of city for 300-400 euros.
There is also a state program where young people up to the age of 35 in Serbia can buy their first property with a 1,000 euro loan.
Both students and the unemployed can buy such apartment.
Such a thing is not possible in any country in Europe.
It is also misleading that life in Belgrade is worse than before.
The salary is 3 times higher since the current president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić came.
There is a lot of work and there is a lack of workers, so for the first time in history workers are being brought in from abroad.
A cook in a restaurant in Belgrade has a salary of around 1400-1500 euros.
Bus driver around 1100-1200 euros.
No connection is required to do this as workers are wanted.
No, that's not true.
I work in a restaurant in Belgrade Waterfront, which is currently a very exclusive place.
Lunch for two people does not exceed 50 euros.
But also you can spend i restoran on Belgrade 1000 euros of you wont.
As for the Serbian authorities, Serbia has a patriotic president but the country is open to cooperation with the whole world, that should be good and not bad as you wont to representin.
Also, Serbia is not a xenophobic country, there are many studies that rank Serbia at the top of the countries where there is no racism.
Serbia has its own traditions/rules and every foreigner who adapts to those rules and respects Serbia and the Serbian people, shows it to the Serbs, will be accepted and loved.
There are no caste societies in Serbia, like in India, where you come from.
As for Kosovo and Metohija, it is part of Serbia according to the Serbian constitution and according to the United Nations.
It is the stolen part of Serbia from the position of Albanian terrorists and the NATO organization, which they committed in 1999 by aggression against Serbia when they committed international crimes against the Serbian population.
Serbia is considered one of the safest countries in Europe.
No, that's not true, the data is public and available to everyone.
The minimum wage of 550 euros in Serbia is received by 4% of employees. That number is realistically even lower because some employers pay the minimum salary to the employee's bank account, and the rest of the salary is given to him personally and that part is not taxed.
Only the taxed part of the salary is counted in the salary statistics.
Also, more is being invested in the development of Belgrade today than at any time in the last 50 years.
Ten years ago, the budget of the city of Belgrade was 80 billion dinars, and today it is over 200 billion dinars.
In the last few years, 2 museums have been opened in Belgrade and 6 more are under construction. A new railway station, a bus station, a new airport building, 200km/h tracks have been opened, new trams and buses have been purchased, several squares and hundreds of streets have been renovated, several hospitals have been built and are being built, a new national stadium, the largest in the Balkans, a new fairground, new bridges, the construction of the subway has begun and many other projects.
Belgrade is being built more than ever and is taking on the appearance of a world metropolis.
The average salary in Belgrade today is around 150,000 dinars after taxes, and ten years ago it was around 50,000.
These are verifiable facts.
This is not true. Even in summer veggies cost more then that, unless you have your own garden or something.
Belgrade is not cheap. 50% of people work for 550eur a month after tax. If you have your own 1 bedroom apt outside city center you will pay monthly bills 150eur minimum. So you are left wit 450eur , then there is property tax yearly at least 100eur.
Public transport is free but its not. Half of city budget goes on transit but then they don't fix streets, city services and all other staff suffers. Nothing is free in life, when you die in Serbia ,funeral costs few thousand euros.
As an Indian visiting SE Europe and Balkans for the first time, I started my journey here.
Numbeo started from and is based in Belgrade, so I was curious to experience the city and country where this whole project started.
The cost of living for products and services is quite accurate, except for the rents and salaries (both are way higher and way lower respectively).
Russians and Turks are pumping insane amounts of money into residential developments, especially the riverfront area near Gallerija Mall where huge towers are being built at a fast pace.
In general the cost of living is the highest of all the ex YU countries and SE Europe, even more than Tirana.
People are closed off to any social interactions even if they do speak English, or if you try to speak Serbian.
This is typical of all Slavic cultures, but is worsened here by the ultra nationalistic government and of course the ethnic tensions/war.
Novi Sad and Nis are the 2nd and 3rd cities, connected to Belgrade by bus and train.
You can also travel down to Montenegro by train
On the positive side, I believe the entire public transit of buses and trams is totally free (like Tallinn and Luxembourg).
It is the biggest city in Europe without a subway/metro though.
Food is delicious, but again the most expensive in Balkans - some fine dine restaurants can cost upto RSD 10,000 per meal which is like 100 euros for 2 people which is almost par with many cities in Western Europe.
Finally for someone looking to move here or settle down/retire, would not recommend it because ultimately it's a xenophobic culture.
The Kosovo issue is still fresh in the hearts and minds, and given their cosying up to Russia and China, and NATO presence over in Kosovo, it would not be a good decision if things go south (think Ukraine/Russia pt. 2)
First of all ,quality of meat from Matijevic's butchery shops are very low. An average price for 1 kg of beef is around 1500 RSD ( Serbian dinars) . Sava bread is the cheapest bread and available only in early hours . Medium price for loaf of decent bread is over 100RSD.Prices of fruits and vegetables rose in last couple of years at least 50% .Everything else is at least 50% more expensive than 2-3 years ago. Salaries can't compete with prices of utilities ,groceries ,services .etc. Only "better " thing is "FREE" transportation ,but nobody knows how long it will last .Compensation for that freeby is higher tax on everything, gas is most expensive in the region.
If you don't own an apartment ,there is an additional cost for rent and utilities of at least 60-70000 RSD ( close to 600 Euros),on the low end and quite far from city center.
Most people get paid around 70-80000RSD, and government fabricates average salary .It is an average salary when you combine salaries in public sector. Those jobs are available only to privileged people close to SNS regime.
Overall , life in Belgrade is never worse ,if you are NOT close to regime and don't have connections with it .
cenoteka.rs
Today on November 8, 2025.
The price of 1 kg of whole chicken in the Matijević store, which is available in every town in Serbia, is 2 euros.
The price of 1 kg of potatoes in MAXI stores is 0.7 euros
The price of 1 kg of cucumbers in LIDL is 0.8 euros
The price of 500g of Sava white bread is 0.5 euro in all stores in Serbia
One person who prepares food at home can eat quality food with a variety of food for 300 euros per month.
The average salary in Belgrade is currently around 1150 euros.
I have lived and worked in Belgrade for 28 years and I claim that life in Belgrade is better today than ever before.
baked:
2kg of Whole chicken-5euros
1kg of potatoes-1euro
salad:
500g of tomatoes-0.6euros
500g of cucumbers-0.4euros
500g of paprika-1euro
250g of feta cheese-1.5euros
bread:
500g of white bread-0,5euro
Prijatno!
It is about 80.000
The sallary is not updated. The sallary of 88.000 dinars is average level in whole Serbia(not Belgrade).
i recommend Budva for vacation,
carrentals travel and foodwine tours:-)
Living outside Belgrade in some near villages will cost you 150 euros for a house with land fully furnished 20 km far from city but with good bus lines especially village under Avala mountain with great view and much cleaner air and less frequent trafic than in city centre.
Overall prices for renting apartmants here are 3x more expensive than in reality.
here is a very helpful site to get pretty accurate tax information on countries worldwide: https://taxsummaries.pwc.com
For Serbia check here: https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/serbia/individual/taxes-on-personal-income
As you mentioned after spending 183 days in Serbia you are considered resident thus taxable on your worldwide income (see residency section of the above mentioned report). Also I did not find any mention of a tax exclusion or special deductions for incomes out of retirement plans for that country (Serbia) in the report.
Getting trustable information before making such important decisions resp. moves is key. Keeping up to date with such information is key also as things can change (sometimes quickly as it happened in Malaysia with the MM2H program). Double checking information even if trusted is not a bad idea either.
So it's only about the Government understanding? Simple as that? Are you living on Mars?