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Cost of Living in Zagreb
Summary about cost of living in Zagreb:
- Four-person family monthly costs: 2,299.54$ (14,653.34kn) without rent (using our estimator).
- A single person monthly costs: 675.13$ (4,302.10kn) without rent.
- Cost of living index in Zagreb is 43.79% lower than in New York.
- Cost of living rank 325th out of 519 cities in the world.
- Zagreb has a cost of living index of 56.21.
| Restaurants | [ Edit ] | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 45.00 kn | |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 250.00 kn | |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | 35.00 kn | |
| Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) | 15.00 kn | |
| Imported Beer (11.2 oz small bottle) | 17.00 kn | |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 10.66 kn | |
| Coke/Pepsi (11.2 oz small bottle) | 13.41 kn | |
| Water (11.2 oz small bottle) | 9.65 kn | |
| Markets | [ Edit ] | |
| Milk (regular), (1 gallon) | 22.55 kn | |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) | 5.28 kn | |
| Rice (white), (1 lb) | 5.64 kn | |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 14.55 kn | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 29.23 kn | |
| Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1 lb) | 21.79 kn | |
| Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 30.20 kn | |
| Apples (1 lb) | 3.94 kn | |
| Banana (1 lb) | 4.94 kn | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 4.38 kn | |
| Tomato (1 lb) | 4.63 kn | |
| Potato (1 lb) | 2.13 kn | |
| Onion (1 lb) | 2.56 kn | |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 6.43 kn | |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 6.87 kn | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 40.00 kn | |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 7.66 kn | |
| Imported Beer (11.2 oz small bottle) | 11.67 kn | |
| Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) | 26.00 kn | |
| Transportation | [ Edit ] | |
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 10.00 kn | |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 360.00 kn | |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 10.00 kn | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) | 9.66 kn | |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 40.00 kn | |
| Gasoline (1 gallon) | 35.66 kn | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | 140,000.00 kn | |
| Toyota Corolla 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | 152,611.11 kn | |
| Utilities (Monthly) | [ Edit ] | |
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment | 1,300.12 kn | |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | 0.83 kn | |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | 156.77 kn | |
| Sports And Leisure | [ Edit ] | |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 255.51 kn | |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 59.38 kn | |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | 35.00 kn | |
| Childcare | [ Edit ] | |
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Private, Monthly for 1 Child | 2,204.67 kn | |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | 90,536.59 kn | |
| Clothing And Shoes | [ Edit ] | |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) | 561.30 kn | |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) | 228.87 kn | |
| 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 562.54 kn | |
| 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes | 652.08 kn | |
| Rent Per Month | [ Edit ] | |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 2,772.26 kn | |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 1,885.95 kn | |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 5,030.83 kn | |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 3,414.10 kn | |
| Buy Apartment Price | [ Edit ] | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 1,590.42 kn | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 986.37 kn | |
| Salaries And Financing | [ Edit ] | |
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 5,911.12 kn | |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly | 4.80 |
Prices in Zagreb
These data are based on 4296 entries in the past 12 months from 325 different contributors.
Last update: October 2017
Last update: October 2017
Sources and References:
33 Comments so far
People working in the public sector here are crazy overpaid. They get in average 200-300 euros more than an average person in the private sector. People who drive trams and buses get 10 000 kunas, 1.3k euros per month and thats without benefits. Many people work locally some political jobs (in ministries, some administrative stupid jobs for the city, etc.>) and also get quite good salaries. Not to mention state-owned companies like HEP (energy state company) where for no work you will get a minimum of 1k euros. Managers with bonuses in these kind of companies get thousands of euros and if they fail- tax payers will pay the price.
This is something completely different than in Budapest where if you get payed by the government/city or whatever, you will have hardly enough to pay 70% of a decent studio if you dont own an apartment.
And because of that we do not have so many expats. To work any kind of job in the public sector/state owned company, Croatian is not even enough. You need citizenship as well.
First of all, the average salary pointed here is not so low for Zagreb. 5900 kunas is the current average of Croatia, and average of Zagreb is more like 6600 if not 7k net because there is a huge difference here between salaries of entry-level positions/seniors and even low-level managers. When I say huge, Im talking about thousands of euros per month of a difference.
The problem with Zagreb is that there aren't so many huge multinational companies and Business centers like in Prague, Bratislava or Budapest. I can tell you for sure, I think its very unlikely to get a job if you do not know Croatian at all( if youre from ex-Yugoslavia and your Croatian is decent, its a different story). I don't remember seeing any job openings where you only need English. It must be taken into consideration, the unemployment is still very high in Croatia for most white-collar/office jobs, so it is not likely you can get a work-permit for these kind of jobs. I am a Croatian and getting a job in any kind of multinational company is like hitting jackpot, even though these kind of jobs are also usually payed very bad in the start (they know that even if the salary is 4000 kunas/550 euros, there will be many candidates for a white-collar job) .
Zagreb just recently became a tourist destination (something completely impossible to see just a couple of years ago), so after a lot of time, rent is also becoming more expensive, but definitely still affordable. If you share a flat with only 1 friend/flatmate, its even possible to find nice apartments(50 sq meters, 2 bedrooms) for 200 euros each with utilities. This is impossible in Budapest/Bratislava/Prague.
But this is the price for Croatian people, I have no idea about expats. I heard stories that Erasmus students tend to get robbed in housing prices but I dont know any details. If you are here on Erasmus go to dormitories which are also affordable and I would say very fun. Rooms for international students, with a roommate, are cca 100 euros.
Shops are crazy expensive in comparing with Eastern Europe and even countries like Germany. There is a huge retail monopoly and not too many discount shops like Lidl. We dont have Aldi and Penny market at all.
Just to give you an example, a canned typical commercial average beer in a shop will cost you between 8-10.5 kunas. Heineken is the latter (10.5)and thats one and a half euro for a beer from a shop. Crazy !
But on the other hand beer in caffe bars and breweries is actually quite cheap. You can drink very good draught beer in pubs like Medvedgrad/Zlatni medo for 2 euros.
Have cash because its not easy finding places where you can pay by card.
The city is not overcrowded like Prague and Budapest so for having a family, if you have a decent salary, its really nice. Croatians are very open people usually, I think I can honestly say we have absolutely nothing against any foreigners here, although usually we like you more as tourists or Erasmus students. If youre an expat worker, its possible to find idiots who will dislike you for taking "our jobs", but just ignore them. Most Croatians understand that if we can travel and work wherever we want, anybody should be able to do the same here, although as I mentioned, its really difficult to find a job as an expat here (foreign language teachers, IT come to mind where its probably possible).
The city is completely safe. I think safest capital in Europe. During the night you can go EVERYWHERE, ANYWHERE. There is a very small + gypsy ghetto completely outside of the city, but again unlike most Eastern European cities, these gypsies are basically just poor Croatians who in general are not even close to dangerous or even strange.
Thats it, if you have questions be free to ask and I'll be happy to answer.
Yes,around 20-25% of your gross salary goes automatically to your pension fund,you should ask your employer for details since there are 3 so called "pillars" ie pension funds. Healthcare is also included from your gross pay,you dont have to worry about that.
If you have apartment provided,8100kn a month would be more than enough for comfortable single life,not luxurious but certainly comfortable. Eating out,having some fun,taking a trip,even saving a bit..no problem
Im looking at moving to Zagreb into the banking sector as a debt collector
I have a small apartment provided
The company im working for has offered me 13500 kuna a month amd said after Taxes be about 8100kuna a month.
Does croatia have a system that pays into my future pension fund like Australia? We call it superannuation?
Is this considered "good money" and enough to live in a small (50sqm) apartment for a single mid 40s person
Is the utilities prices above a good guide for a single persons use?
Any feedback would be fantastic
Thank you
You won't be able to afford anything here, especially if you 1. are not Croatian and don't own property, 2. are not Croatian and can't get credit.
The prices listed above are "realistic", but as a foreigner be prepared to pay 50% more on the services not listed, because you're a foreigner. Anything without a price tag will automatically be 50% more expensive for you. The guy before rented the place for 200 Euro? Be prepared to pay 300 Euro. Their excuse? Prices have gone up. But by 50% in the past 30 minutes? It helps knowing Croatian and playing stupid, so you can see if they rip you off. But don't call it out on them, because half the time, the alpha male temper will start a physical fight with you.
As for life expenses? Gas is more expensive, travel is more expensive, the coast is impossibly expensive, etc. You get 1/4 the pay with 4x higher prices. Which means that you get to live 1/16th your life potential.
It's the biggest mistake I made, but I am stuck here and am trying to fight my way out of poverty.
Besides,with no formal qualification(master degree in english,or at least Cambridge certificates)you wont be able to obtain job anyway. If you have IT education that would be something to work with.
And EU wise,how about googling it?
Zagreb high points would be affordable rent,free healthcare,almost free edcation,cheap kindergardens and reasonable restaurant,taxi and clubbing prices.With that ofc go low wages.
We,Croatians would like to have 2000eur wage each with croatian prices-not possible.Around 1200 eur per month would be needed to catch for eg.Dublin or Viennese purchasing power in Zagreb
Like everywhere in the world it depends a lot of the profession. For example, in IT industry avarege income is usually 1300 eur or more, depending on the company.
Average net salary in Zagreb is 6,669kn(around 900E),and average net salary in Croatia is 5,580kn(750E).
Ordinary worker in supermarket/waiter has around 3000kn,employed taxi driver 4500-5000,high school teacher around 5500-6000kn,pharmacist around 10000kn or more,IT engineer 8000-15000kn,doctor/dentist 10000-25000kn(difference being public or private)etc.
Zagreb is a city that offers a lot content for a reasonable price, at least what we have experienced in winter. Basketball champions league game 3€, Ice Hockey Champions League (KHL) the same, culture is so much more affordable than in comparable capital cities in EU. Also its super close to the Adriatic coast as well as to Ski ressorts. Also there is no brand I know apart from Prada which you cannot get in Zagreb, they got everything here. You are as also quick by car to go to Venice as well as Munich or Budapest or Vienna.
I feel that people are complaining a lot, but the most I know - at least >90% - are living in owned appartments or houses. Moaning is kind of mentality almost bizzare having in mind the good standard of living. Many are doing some pocket money on the side, people are very enterpreneurial oriented. People are generally confident of Croatian achievements in sports but at the same time complaining a lot about their own people which seems paradoxal.
For us this city is a great place to live and I believe once the communist mentality is gone by time, this city will be a capital of a promising country because it has all what it takes to go to the top in Europe.
Thanks for reading and apologies for the length of the text.
Assuming you rent,with family of 3(2 adults,1 child)-2000(15500kn) eur is enough for comfortable living with some saved ever month.Food-500 eur,Rent 400 eur,gas 150 eur,clothes 80 eur,fun 150 eur,utilities 150 eur with 570 eur to spare for misc(car,vacation,savings etc).
Of course,we re talking about expats,middle class locals have around 1500 eur,upper middle class around 2500-3500,we re talking about NET family income per month.
1. Zagreb urban zone is twice as big as Belgrade urban zone, what makes Zagreb twice bigger city, check on wiki... Belgrade have bigger population (not three times), maybe you meant that, but why is it important? In general Zagreb is quite big, if making compares, bigger than Amsterdam, Lisbon, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm... so I`m not sure what you meant by that.
2. Zagreb have much more to offer someone who is tourist, starting with museums, concerts, architecture, in general cultural things, course Zagreb was capital of culture in ex Yugoslavia... And Belgrade was political capital.
3. Croatian gastronomy is much richer than Serbian, starting with fact that Croatia is country that have see, so that means that there is a lot of see food, with very clean see what means high- quality see food, and much more, famous olive oil, great chees etc., what is not case with Serbia, also Croatia have bigger meet culture, Croatian cuisine is famous for different kinds of meat, probably the best quality lamb you can get in Europe, because of geographical position and diet of sheep, but also goat meet and that goes for south of country, north on other side is more Beef and Pork, with huge offer of dry meet products. while in Serbia pork is dominant, and bit of beef. In the end Croatia have both, typical middle eu and mediterian see food. in general, in Belgrade you'll find much more grill places to eat čevapi, and maybe you`ll got it little bit cheaper than in Zagreb, but quality of those places is same, and i guess you meant that.
3. Serbian prizes are lower than Croatia but Belgrade prizes are not lower than Zagreb, both city's are quite expensive, especially for residents.
Only thing that you wrote right is that Belgrade have little bit more of night life, but than again the quality of it is question, I personally don't like that tipe of night life, bars with bad music and cheep drinks makes them over crowded and not best choice. You have those kind of places on Zagreb lake Jarun, as well... just it is not in center of city.
In general as much I understood your text you like basic things, cheep bars and big portions of fast food, what is ok, can understand that need, but it is not right way to explain some one city and all it offers, or even better, do it like it is a fact... in in that line Zagreb is much much more than Belgrade is.
>I go there on business a lot and every time I am unpleasantly surprised by how expensive it is and how little local people make..
>My Croatian colleagues (who have my same level of seniority) make as little as €800 and the average meal costs around €30..
>It's crazy
>
>having said that it's a good place to be and Croatia is a beautiful country. It's a shame thought that Croatians can't fully enjoy it.
Don't worry people get by with a little help from their friends and corruption, just like in Ljubljana...
The problem is this is in the city centre...
Well, I go there once every couple of months: I don't live there.. I stay at the HOtel Dubrovnik and don't wander too far from the city centre..
''Also, Zagreb doesn't really give the impression of being poor to an outsider.''
I see you've posted only three days ago, and I'm very surprised by this statement. I've recently moved to Zagreb and honestly, I've seen more homeless (maybe they're just poor, not homeless) going through rubbish bins than pretty women, I felt I was in some poor ex-soviet country like Ukraine or something, don't know what the hell happened to Zagreb in past few years.
Given that I go to Zagreb a lot for work, I often spend the weekend in neighbouring Italy, Austria or Slovenia.
What surprises me is that in Trieste, for example, you spend more or less the same for a good meal but people in Italy are considerably richer than in Croatia. Same goes for Austria.
Also, Zagreb doesn't really give the impression of being poor to an outsider.. it looks almost European. Maybe not like Lubiana but close.
Also most houses have apartments which are rented out to travelers , which helps pay for various things.
From what I know salaries are extremely low but pretty much everything costs roughly the same as in neighbouring Italy, Austria or Germany where salaries are 2/3 times higher.
I go there on business a lot and every time I am unpleasantly surprised by how expensive it is and how little local people make..
My Croatian colleagues (who have my same level of seniority) make as little as €800 and the average meal costs around €30..
It's crazy
having said that it's a good place to be and Croatia is a beautiful country. It's a shame thought that Croatians can't fully enjoy it.