How much money is needed for a normal life in Croatia?

Zagreb

The cost of living in Croatia is continually rising, as many people have noticed firsthand. Complaints about the high price of groceries, rent, and other expenses are widespread, with many unable to afford what is considered a “normal” standard of living.

Numbeo, the world’s largest database on the cost of living, has calculated how much an average family in Croatia needs to get through a month.

According to the data, the average monthly expenses for a family of four are €2,608.40 (excluding rent), while for a single person, the figure is €745.00.

In the capital Zagreb, the average cost for a family (without rent) is slightly lower at €2,596.40, while a single person needs €751.40, Večernji list writes.

As for rental prices, at the start of 2024 the simplest way to roughly calculate the average for Zagreb was 12-15 euros per square metre. So for a 50m2 apartment the cost would be around €550-750 a month.

On the coast, in Split for example, a 55m2 apartment will likely cost around €530-600 a month to rent. Other places on the coast, and in cities outside of Zagreb, rent is a bit cheaper. For example in Zadar a 55m2 apartment will set you back around €450 a month, whilst in Osijek it will be around €370 a month.

Comparing Croatia’s Costs with Neighbouring Countries

These figures were compared to neighbouring countries, using the same parameters and focusing on costs for a family of four and a single person (excluding rent). Including rent would make the figures significantly higher.

Among Croatia’s neighbours, Slovenia has the highest cost of living, though it also boasts a higher standard of living.

The average expenses for a family in Slovenia are €2,772.50, and for a single person, €817.10. The cost of living there is 6.9% higher than in Croatia, with rent prices approximately 30.3% higher.

In Hungary, the average monthly expenses for a family of four are €2,168.70, and for a single person, €617.50 (excluding rent). The cost of living in Hungary is 15.2% lower than in Croatia, and rent is 23.3% cheaper.

The lowest cost of living among neighbouring countries is in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where a family needs €1,929.90 per month, and a single person requires €567.40. The cost of living in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 26.9% lower than in Croatia, and rent is 57.9% cheaper.

Finally, a comparison with Montenegro shows that a family needs €2,175.80 per month, while a single person spends €618.00. The cost of living in Montenegro is 16% lower than in Croatia, although rent is, on average, 2.7% higher.