City Comparison · Updated May 2026
Hungary
COL index 44.8
Bulgaria
COL index 34.8
Budapest vs Sofia — Cost of Living, Salary & Tax Compared (2026)
The verdict
Living in Sofia is 22.3% cheaper than Budapest for the same lifestyle.
Based on Q1 2026 COL index and median single-person expenditure.
Side-by-side stats
| Budapest | Metric | Sofia | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44.8 | Cost of living index | 34.8 | -22.3% |
| €50,000 | Median gross salary | €50,000 | 0.0% |
| €34,638 | Net at €50,000 gross | €39,249 | +13.3% |
| €880 | Rent — 1BR centre | €620 | -29.5% |
| €1,342 | Monthly COL (single) | €978 | -27.1% |
| €77,316 | PPP — net / COL | €112,784 | +45.9% |
| 30.7% | Effective tax @ €50,000 | 21.5% | -30.0% |
Monthly expenses — paired
Salary equivalence
€50,000 gross in Hungary = €2,886 net monthly.
To have the same purchasing power in Sofia, you would need roughly €34,276 gross in Bulgaria (≈ €2,242 net monthly, adjusted for cost-of-living index).
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Pros & cons
- +Low overall cost of living (index 45)
- +Significantly cheaper rent (€620)
- +Low overall cost of living (index 35)
- +Favourable tax rate (21.5%)
The verdict
Across the data, Sofia delivers a higher take-home on a €50,000 gross salary; Sofia carries a lower cost-of-living index; Sofia has the lighter effective tax burden; Sofia wins on purchasing power after costs are netted out. If purchasing power is your north star, Sofia edges it.
Frequently asked
Is Budapest cheaper than Sofia?+
Sofia is cheaper. Cost-of-living index: Budapest 44.8, Sofia 34.8 — a 22.3% difference (Q1 2026).
What is the cost of living difference between Budapest and Sofia?+
Budapest sits at 44.8 on our COL index, Sofia at 34.8. That works out to roughly 22.3% — Sofia being the cheaper of the two.
Is Budapest a good place to live compared to Sofia?+
It depends on priorities. Budapest delivers €34,638 net on a €50,000 gross salary at a 30.7% effective tax rate. Sofia delivers €39,249 at 21.5%. Centre 1-bed rent: €880 vs €620.
How do salaries compare in Budapest vs Sofia?+
On a €50,000 gross salary, take-home is €34,638/year (€2,886/month) in Budapest and €39,249/year (€3,271/month) in Sofia.
Which city has lower taxes, Budapest or Sofia?+
Bulgaria has the lower effective rate at €50,000: Hungary 30.7%, Bulgaria 21.5%.