Living expenses

The cost of living in the Republic of Serbia is quite affordable, especially compared to the countries of Western Europe and the USA. Belgrade is one of the most affordable large European cities. When it comes to the cost of food, accommodation, utilities, transport, entertainment and cultural events, Serbia is a very affordable destination for living. The average household expenditure for January 2024 for a family of four was about 102,000 dinars (~870 EUR). The average monthly salary for the month of February 2024 was about 94,000 dinars (~800 EUR).

The prices of basic groceries are favourable in the Republic of Serbia. One of the main advantages of living in Serbia is that its residents can get high quality goods and services for their money. In local markets as well as in supermarkets and local stores, you can always find fresh and high-quality food products. Restaurants, both local and of numerous international cuisines, adjust their prices to the population's spending power, so you will definitely find a favourable gastronomic offer of top quality.

As far as accommodation is concerned, apartment rental prices vary depending on the location. Larger cities like Belgrade or Novi Sad have highest prices for renting apartments, but the offer is large, high-quality and diverse. As a rule, apartments outside the city centre are much more affordable, and with well-organized public transport, you can reach the city centre reliably and on time.

Transport costs are also relatively low. Public transport in Belgrade is one of the most accessible in Europe (city transport ticket valid for 90 minutes is 50 dinars, which is about 0.4 EUR) and is well connected, which allows people to move around the city easily. Similar prices are in other larger cities such as Novi Sad, Niš and Kragujevac.

The cost of entertainment and recreation can represent a significant part of the household budget. If you want to visit theatres, keep in mind that prices may vary depending on the type of theatre, length of performances, and other factors. Prices for drama, opera and ballet performances generally range from 500 to 2,000 dinars. Cinema ticket prices also depend on the type of screening, but you can expect the average price to be in the range of 400 to 800 dinars.

The Republic of Serbia has almost completely stabilized the inflation that hit the entire world in 2022, and it is now moving within the global average, which is also reflected in the stabilization of food prices. Consumer prices in April 2024, compared to the same month of the previous year, increased by 5.0%, while compared to December 2023, they increased by 1.8% on average.

Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia provides relevant, reliable and up-to-date information on the state of the economy in the Republic of Serbia, the cost of living, price movements, trends and other important financial parameters.

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