Austrian tourist shocked by prices in Croatia baffled how locals survive

Zadar

An Austrian visitor to Zadar was left stunned by the high cost of living in Croatia and took to Reddit to ask how locals manage to afford their daily lives.

His post sparked a lively discussion, with many Croatians admitting that even they struggle to explain how they get by.

Prices Keep Rising

The rising cost of living in Croatia has been a hot topic for some time. Protests and boycotts have been organised across the country as both locals and tourists complain about skyrocketing prices.

The Austrian visitor, who was in Zadar to visit family, shared his surprise at how expensive things had become.

“My wife and I have standard incomes for Austrians, but we found many things in Croatia to be absurdly expensive,” he wrote. He pointed out that even a simple product like Ožujsko beer costs a third more than in Austria. When their water pump broke, they were shocked by the high prices at local stores like Pevec and Bauhaus, Večernji list writes.

Locals Struggling Too

Many Croatians responded to his post, confirming that life on the coast is becoming increasingly unaffordable.

One user explained that without owning property, it’s nearly impossible to sustain a normal life. Others mentioned that many young people continue living with their parents because renting is too expensive.

A Croatian living in Ireland commented: “I earn €60,000 a year, and I haven’t been back in two years. It’s cheaper for me to live in Ireland or book a trip anywhere else than to spend my summer in Croatia.”

Not Just a Croatian Problem

The discussion even drew comments from other countries. “My friends from Germany are always shocked by the prices when they come home,” he said.

The Reality of Life in Croatia

Despite the difficulties, locals somehow manage to make ends meet. Many rely on property ownership, seasonal tourism income, or support from family abroad.

One Croatian summed it up perfectly: “I have no idea what kind of black magic people use to survive, but they do.”

Croatia has the third-highest rate of homeownership in the EU, with 91% of its population owning their property, based on the latest Eurostat data.

This rate is notably high in Eastern European EU countries, including Romania (95%), Slovakia (93%), Croatia (91%), and Hungary (90%).

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

The average monthly expenses for a family of four in Croatia are €2,608.40, and for a single person, €745. In Zagreb, these costs are slightly lower, with families averaging €2,596.40 and singles at €751.

Rental prices in Zagreb range from €550-750 for a 50m2 apartment. On the coast, rents vary, with Split averaging €530-600 for a 55m2 apartment, Zadar at €450, and Osijek at €370. 

The average salary in Croatia is around 1,340 euros net per month, and the median salary is around 1,160 euros.

Click HERE for more info.