Cost of Living in Serbia 2024: The Ultimate Guide

Serbia is fast becoming a top option for foreign investors, with the Residence by Investment program opening the country to significant foreign investment.

But before you pack your bags for Eastern Europe, it’s important to understand the cost of living in Serbia. In this guide you will learn about:

• Monthly costs of living in Serbia
• Cost of accommodation in Serbia
• Cost of utilities in Serbia
• Cost of food in Serbia
• Cost for eating at a restaurant in Serbia
• Cost of transport in Serbia
• Cost of healthcare in Serbia
• Cost of education in Serbia
• Cost of living in Serbia for international students
• Cost of entertainment in Serbia
• Cost of living in Serbia vs. other countries

Monthly Costs of Living in Serbia

The monthly costs of living in Serbia depends on a range of different factors. From family size and where you live to the type of lifestyle, all this affects the cost of living.

The general cost of living in Serbia per month is as follows:

Cost of Accommodation in Serbia

One of the most significant Serbia living costs per month is accommodation. Whether you rent in Serbia or own, there are a range of costs to be aware of. Below we’ll break down the cost of rent and purchase prices in different areas in Serbia.

Rental costs in Serbia

Belgrade

Belgrade is the capital of Serbia, making it a popular option for expats. The city is well known for its historic charm, rich cultural history, fantastic nightlife, and overall high standard of living. The cost of living in Belgrade is generally higher than other Serbian cities.

The cost of rent in Belgrade is as follows:

Novi Sad

Novi Sad is the second largest city in Serbia, offering the ideal mix of natural beauty, history, and culture.

The cost of rent in Novi Sad is as follows:

Niš

Located in southern Serbia, Niš is one of the oldest cities in Europe. The ancient historic architecture, lively culinary scene, and central location makes it a popular option for renting property in Serbia.

The cost of rent in Niš is as follows:

Kragujevac

Situated in central Serbia, Kragujevac is full to the brim with history, offering fascinating landmarks and sites. It is also a well-known thriving university town, ideal for students in Serbia.

The cost of rent in Kragujevac is as follows:

Cost of buying property in Serbia

If you are looking into Serbia Residency by Investment, one of the options is to purchase real estate. Here are some of the costs of buying property in Serbia:

Cost of Utilities in Serbia

When considering living in Serbia it’s important to understand all the costs involved. Here are the average costs for utilities in Serbia per month:

Cost of Food in Serbia

Food prices in Serbia can vary significantly depending on where you shop, the type of food, and more. Here are the basic costs for food in Serbia:

Cost for eating at a restaurant in Serbia

Serbia has some of the most unique cuisine, with Greek, Turkish, Mediterranean, and European influences. While cooking your own meals costs less, eating out while in Serbia is an absolute must to truly delve into the culture.

Here are the average costs of eating out in Serbia:

Cost of Transport in Serbia

Transport in Serbia is relatively inexpensive when compared to other European countries. Here are some of the most relevant transport costs to help you budget for getting around:

Cost of Healthcare in Serbia

Serbia has a national health service that is available to all citizens (those with a Serbian passport) and residents of Serbia. Citizens have access to free or very low-cost medical services. Serbian employers must pay for their employees to be part of the national health service by law. Those with a Serbia residents permit may be obligated to pay for certain medical services.

Most foreigners opt for private health insurance which is much cheaper in Serbia than other Western European countries. This offers access to private medical care in Serbia which is faster than the public healthcare system. Let’s take a look at the various costs:

Cost of Education in Serbia

Education in Serbia is relatively affordable compared to other European countries, particularly for private education. Citizens of Serbia are entitled to free education, with minor costs to be paid per year for things like schoolbooks and stationery.

Most expat families living in Serbia opt for private international schools with the curriculum following the same as most countries in Western Europe or the US. Here are the costs for education in Serbia:

Cost of living in Serbia for international students

Serbia is a popular option for international students. The costs here can vary dramatically based on where you live, the degree, and lifestyle choices. For example, if you need to travel to another city every weekend then your costs will be higher.

Here are the average monthly costs of living in Serbia as an international student:

Cost of Entertainment in Serbia

The average cost of entertainment in Serbia can vary based on what you’re interested in. Here are some basic entertainment costs in Serbia:

Cost of Living in Serbia vs. Other Countries

Cost of living in Serbia vs India

Moving from India to Serbia for studies is becoming extremely popular. Here is a cost comparison between the two countries to better understand how the average monthly costs vary:

Cost of living in Serbia vs USA

The cost of living in Serbia vs the US is quite significant. To give you a better idea, we have also provided the cost of living in Serbia in USD, so you can make an accurate judgement on the cost of living in both countries.

Cost of living in Serbia vs Canada

The Cost of living in Serbia vs Canada is significant, with some bigger monthly costs like rent costing double in Canada. Here are the basics to give you an idea of the cost difference.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Cost of Living in Serbia

How much is rent in Serbia?

Rent in Serbia varies based on location and property type. A one bedroom in the city center costs about €521 per month and a three bedroom is around €937.

How much is it to buy property in Serbia?

For those wanting to obtain a residence permit through the Serbia Residence by Investment program, buying property in Serbia is one of the options. The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city center is about €3,024.

Is Serbia expensive to live?

Compared with countries in Western Europe and the USA, the cost of living in Serbia is significantly less. Compared with the US, living in Serbia costs 53% less. It all depends on where you live, major cities will have a higher cost than a smaller city.

How much is a cup of coffee in Serbia?

A cup of coffee in Serbia will set you back about €1.90.

Is food expensive in Serbia?

Food in Serbia is not very expensive compared with other countries in Western Europe and the US, costing significantly less than major European cities. For example, a loaf of white bread in Serbia will cost around €0.70, while in the US that will set you back about €3.44.

How much does it cost to live in Serbia in Euros?

The cost of living in Serbia in euros is around €615 per month for a single person without rent. For a family of four, the cost of living in Serbia goes up to about €2,098 without rent.

What is the average cost of living in Serbia for international students?

The cost of living in Serbia for international students is around €400-€700 per month, excluding tuition. Monthly living expenses will depend on where you live and lifestyle.

What is the average cost of living in Serbia per month for a single person in 2024?

The average cost of living for a single person in Serbia per month is around €615 excluding rent. Including rent, a single person in Serbia can live comfortably on about €1,000 per month, depending on monthly expenses.

What is the average salary in Serbia?

The average salary in Serbia in August 2024 is RSD 96,000 (€820.46) per month. There has been an increase since July of 2023 where the average salary was RSD 83,000 (€709.35).

Is Serbia a good place to live?

Serbia is a fantastic option if you’re looking for an up-and-coming investment opportunity. Based on the GSC Global Passport Index, Serbia ranks 77th on the quality-of-living index out of 199 countries.