Sofia vs Manchester Cost of Living

Sofia (Bulgaria) · Overall index 36.0Manchester (United Kingdom) · Overall index 57.5

Summary

  • Overall, Manchester is 60% more expensive than Sofia.
  • Rent in Manchester is 84% more expensive than in Sofia.
  • Dining out in Manchester is 69% more expensive than in Sofia.
ItemSofiaManchesterDiff
Rent+84%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$765$1,708+123%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$618$1,022+65%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,821$2,649+45%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,004$2,136+113%
Groceries+55%
Milk (1L)$0.68$0.92+35%
White bread (500g)$1.99$2.87+44%
Rice (1kg)$2.39$3.33+39%
Eggs (12)$2.5$3.32+33%
Local cheese (1kg)$6.19$11.2+81%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$6.21$10.4+67%
Beef round (1kg)$9.91$15.1+52%
Apples (1kg)$2.52$3.94+56%
Bananas (1kg)$0.9$1.37+52%
Oranges (1kg)$2.43$3.67+51%
Tomatoes (1kg)$2.41$4.39+82%
Potatoes (1kg)$1.33$2.22+67%
Onions (1kg)$1.45$2+38%
Lettuce (1 head)$1.17$2.08+78%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.13$1.88+66%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$7.06$10.5+49%
Transport+59%
Public transport, one-way ticket$1.18$1.69+43%
Public transport, monthly pass$51.1$73+43%
Taxi, base fare$1.6$2.89+81%
Taxi, per km$0.79$1.22+54%
Gasoline (1L)$0.37$0.59+59%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$10,293$17,866+74%
Dining out+69%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$9.5$14.8+56%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$52$87+67%
Fast food combo meal$4.67$8.79+88%
Cappuccino$2.37$4.09+73%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.13$2+77%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$2.79$4.51+62%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$3.08$5.43+76%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$0.83$1.27+53%
Telecom+38%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$34$49+44%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$33.2$46.5+40%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.2$0.28+40%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$8.1$10.4+28%
Utilities & household+50%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$78.1$122+56%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.11$0.17+55%
Tap water (1m³)$2.53$3.22+27%
Natural gas (1m³)$0.62$1.09+76%
Waste collection (monthly)$11.7$18+54%
Fitness club (monthly)$41.6$66.4+60%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$7.39$10.2+38%
Men's haircut$16.3$24.6+51%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$13.7$20+46%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$934$1,443+54%

3,247 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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