Are you tired of breaking the bank every time you plan a vacation or think about moving abroad? Look no further! As a travel blogger, I’m excited to share with you my latest research on the top 10 European countries with the lowest cost of living. From affordable rent to delicious meals and utility bills that won’t leave you crying poverty, these destinations will make you wonder how you ever lived without them.
Criteria for Ranking
Before we dive into our list, let’s take a closer look at the criteria we used to rank these European countries by their cost of living. We relied on data from Numbeo, a well-known international website that aggregates data from millions of users worldwide. Our indices took into account:
- Cost of living
- Average rent per month for an apartment (3 bedrooms)
- Net monthly salary after taxes
- Price of buying an apartment (per square meter in city center)
- Utility bills (electricity, heating, air conditioning, water, waste) per month for a 85m2 apartment
- Cost of meals in economical restaurants
- Power of purchase in local markets
The Top 10 Countries with the Lowest Cost of Living
After crunching the numbers, we’re excited to reveal our top 10 list of European countries with the lowest cost of living. From Western Europe to Eastern Europe and beyond, these destinations offer a great balance of affordability and quality of life.
- Kosovo: €300 minimum monthly budget
- Ukraine: €320 minimum monthly budget
- Macedonia: €350 minimum monthly budget
- Moldova: €600 minimum monthly budget
- Belarus: €750 minimum monthly budget
- Romania: €800 minimum monthly budget
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: €850 minimum monthly budget
- Serbia: €870 minimum monthly budget
- Albania: €890 minimum monthly budget
- Bulgaria: €900 minimum monthly budget
Cost of Living in Each Country
Now that we’ve revealed our top 10 list, let’s take a closer look at the cost of living in each country. Here are some key statistics to keep in mind:
- Rent per month for an apartment (3 bedrooms) in city center:
- Kosovo: €391,30
- Ukraine: €565,79
- Macedonia: €310,66
- Moldova: €400,31
- Belarus: €522,84
- Romania: €501,12
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: €345,07
- Serbia: €474,83€
- Albania: €450,49
-
Bulgaria: €473,45
-
Net monthly salary after taxes:
- Kosovo: €421,19
- Ukraine: €318,56
- Macedonia: €337,12
- Moldova: €262,70
- Belarus: €398,46
- Romania: €527,32
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: €431,24
- Serbia: €386,85
- Albania: €302,73
-
Bulgaria: €511,31
-
Price of buying an apartment (per square meter in city center):
- Kosovo: €1.114,29
- Ukraine: €1.068,93
- Macedonia: €1.015,81
- Moldova: €852,06
- Belarus: €1.401,09
- Romania: €1.400,93
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: €1.288,25
- Serbia: €1.887,38
- Albania: €1.245,75
-
Bulgaria: €1.130,48
-
Utility bills (electricity, heating, air conditioning, water, waste) per month for a 85m2 apartment:
- Kosovo: €59,30
- Ukraine: €96,02
- Macedonia: €97,91
- Moldova: €111,00
- Belarus: €47,35
- Romania: €93,58
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: €131,36
- Serbia: €130,26
- Albania: €64,74
-
Bulgaria: €85,80
-
Meal prices:
- Kosovo: €3.00 (economical restaurant)
- Ukraine: €4.81 (economic restaurant) to €18.50 (mid-range restaurant) for two people
- Macedonia: €4.07 (economic restaurant) to €16.02 for two people
- Moldova: €4.55 (economic restaurant) to €20.79 for two people
- Belarus: €8.49 (economic restaurant) to €22.67 for two people
- Romania: €5.25 (economic restaurant) to €20.99 for two people
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: €3.58 (economic restaurant) to €20.46 for two people
- Serbia: €5.00 (economic restaurant) to €19.56 for two people
- Albania: €4.06 (economic restaurant) to €20.32 for two people
- Bulgaria: €5.11 (economic restaurant) to €20.45 for two people
Why Choose These Countries?
So, why should you consider moving to these countries with the lowest cost of living? Here are just a few reasons:
- Affordability: With rent prices starting from as low as €391 in Kosovo, and utility bills under €100 per month, these destinations offer an incredible value for money.
- Quality of life: From stunning natural beauty to rich cultural heritage, these countries offer a great balance of affordability and quality of life.
- Language: Many of our top 10 countries have languages that are relatively easy for English speakers to learn or get by with.
- Job opportunities: With low costs of living and a growing economy, many of these countries offer excellent job opportunities for digital nomads, remote workers, and expats.
- Safety: While safety can vary between destinations, all of our top 10 countries are generally considered safe for tourists and expats.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the minimum monthly budget for each country?
A: The minimum monthly budget varies from €300 in Kosovo to €900 in Bulgaria. - Q: Which country has the highest cost of living?
A: Serbia has the highest cost of living, with a minimum monthly budget of €870 and utility bills reaching up to €130,26 per month for a 85m2 apartment. - Q: Are these countries safe for tourists and expats?
A: Yes, all of our top 10 countries are generally considered safe for tourists and expats, although as with any travel destination, there may be some areas that are safer than others. - Q: Can I find accommodation in each country at an affordable price?
A: Yes, all of our top 10 countries offer a range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly hostels to luxury apartments, making it easy to find something that suits your needs and budget. - Q: What are the best times to visit each country?
A: The best time to visit varies between countries, but generally, spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are considered the best seasons to visit Europe.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these 10 European countries with the lowest cost of living offer an incredible value for money, a great balance of affordability and quality of life, and excellent job opportunities. Whether you’re looking to retire in peace, start a new business, or simply experience the best that Europe has to offer, these destinations are sure to impress.
So, which country will you choose? Let us know in the comments below!
Bonus: Top 10 Countries for Digital Nomads
If you’re a digital nomad looking for a destination with a great balance of affordability and quality of life, here are our top 10 picks:
- Portugal: Known for its mild climate, stunning beaches, and affordable cost of living.
- Spain: A popular destination for digital nomads, Spain offers a warm climate, rich culture, and low costs of living.
- Croatia: With its stunning natural beauty and growing economy, Croatia is an excellent choice for digital nomads.
- Bulgaria: A great value for money, Bulgaria offers a low cost of living, rich culture, and stunning natural beauty.
- Hungary: Known for its thermal baths, stunning architecture, and affordable cost of living, Hungary is a popular destination for digital nomads.
- Poland: With its vibrant cities, rich history, and growing economy, Poland is an excellent choice for digital nomads.
- Slovenia: A small but beautiful country with a great balance of affordability and quality of life.
- Czech Republic: Known for its stunning architecture, rich culture, and affordable cost of living, the Czech Republic is a popular destination for digital nomads.
- Lithuania: With its stunning natural beauty, growing economy, and low costs of living, Lithuania is an excellent choice for digital nomads.
- Greece: A popular destination for digital nomads, Greece offers a warm climate, rich culture, and affordable cost of living.
We hope you found this article helpful in planning your next trip or considering a move abroad. Happy travels!
