Do you know which are the most affordable places to live in Europe in 2017?
When I started writing about this topic, the question that tickled me the most was: is it more interesting to live in a smaller city or the capital? If we take into account opportunities, capitals are definitely the best choice as everything is happening there. From cultural and political events to the dynamic nightlife, capitals offer a lot! On the other hand, they are usually more expensive than the other cities in one country. But, I didn’t give much emphasis on that issue because many capitals in Europe are way cheaper than some regular cities in expensive countries such as Norway, Switzerland, and others. So, the choice was clear; I will include only the capitals of Europe. Now comes the hard part – how to determine which are the cheapest cities in Europe to live?
To clear out immediately, cheapest places to live in Europe that speak English aren’t on our list. However, each of these cities is quite touristic, so there won’t be any major problems in communication. But then I wondered which are the cheapest English speaking countries to live in? Not to spoil it, I won’t mention anything, but I would advise you to read about it in our previous article about cheapest places to live in the world that speak English. If we talk about visiting a place and living in it, there is obvious a big difference. Some places are known as the cheapest countries to buy a house in, such as for example Helsinki, according to Telegraph. That could be seen as one of the indicators when making the list of cheapest countries to live in Europe that we also compiled a while ago. Then, on the other hand, we know which are the most expensive cities in Europe to visit: Paris, Luxembourg, Munich, and Zurich, just to name few. Also, in Scandinavia, it would definitely be Oslo, with having to pay around 20 euros for a bear in the club!
In order to make our list of most affordable places to live in Europe in 2017, we took a couple of suggestions from resources such as Expatistan and Price of Travel, to name few. Out of the most repeating suggestions, we picked out eleven of them. Then we consulted Numbeo and ranked only the capitals of countries according to the cost of living. Additionally, we put information about the cost of living in each city. This can give you a clue about the cost of living in Europe. If you are more interested in the cost of living in Europe by country, check out the Numbeo’s database. Nevertheless, what would be interesting and practical to know if you decide to move to some of the European cities are the cheapest places to fly into Europe from US. Moreover, if you want to move to a tropical paradise, then check out the list of cheapest places to live in the world on the beach. Now, let’s get back to our topic and see the list of most affordable places to live in Europe in 2017.
11. Zagreb, Croatia
Cost of living index: 56.09
According to the Numbeo’s database, rent per month in the center of Zagreb for one person goes around 2700 kn which would be around $430. Moreover, their average salary per month is around $900. Croatia is the newest member state of the European Union, so lots of things on the political, economic and social level are still changing. However, this country offers one of the most beautiful coastlines on the Adriatic Sea. So, if you are more of an adventurous type of person, this country can offer you not just low prices but also a variety of places to visit on the weekends.
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10. Riga, Latvia
Cost of living index: 53.56
Some would say it is one of the calmest cities, while others define it as an absolute “hidden party” city. So, we can conclude it has many different things in one. Even though it is not on the map of the most popular touristic places, Riga, the number 10 on the list of most affordable places to live in Europe in 2017 has a lot to offer. Its historical center is the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Moreover, it was the European Capital of Culture for the year 2014, and in 2006 was the host of NATO Summit. Nevertheless, the Eurovision Song Contest was held in Riga in 2003. Rent per month in this capital of Latvia for a single flat is around $460, while the average net salary per month is $730. If you decide to treat yourself with a cappuccino, be sure to have around 2.70 dollars in your pockets.
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9. Bratislava, Slovakia
Cost of living index: 52.12
Basic utilities in Bratislava, that’s next up on our list of most affordable places to live in Europe in 2017, are around $200 per month with included electricity, water, garbage, and heating. Moreover, rent per month is $656 for one bedroom flat in the city center, while for the bigger one the price can go up to $1000. Slovaks earn around €920 per month, which a bit more than $1000. Bratislava has a population of 450,000 people which doesn’t make it very crowded place. On the other side, even though it is a small capital, it attracts tourists mostly with its beautiful historical center and never-ending stories about Czechoslovakia separation.
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8. Budapest, Hungary
Cost of living index: 48.41
The capital of Hungary is known as one of the most populous cities in this country and one of the most densely populated major cities in the EU. Its population counts around 1.7 million people. If you are alone and want to rent one bedroom apartment in the city center, that would cost you approximately $500. Moreover, their average net salary per month is a bit less than $750. But be aware, even though Hungary is the part of the EU, they didn’t change their currency to € (euro) but instead kept their own- Hungarian Forint.
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7. Warsaw, Poland
Cost of living index: 45.23
Warsaw is the capital and in the same time the largest city in Poland. Before the Second World War, it was called Paris of the East, as it was believed to be one of the most beautiful cities back then. However, with concentration camps, and the uprising of Warsaw ghetto, the city lost its popularity and beauty. From Paris of the East, it got another title of a Phoenix City, because of the complete reconstruction after many damages in the war. Rent per month for one bedroom apartment would be around $620. Moreover, average monthly net salary is a bit over with $1000.
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6. Podgorica, Montenegro
Cost of living index: 43.40
On the sixth place on our list of the most affordable places to live in Europe in 2017 is the capital of Montenegro – Podgorica! Rent per month for a one bedroom apartment in the city center is around $350, while the average monthly salary is little less than $600. If you wish to visit a restaurant in this capital, be sure to have for you and your date around $35 in the pocket. Moreover, what you should know as well is that seaside is very close and cheap to get to it. For less than $40 round trip, every weekend you could enjoy the view of the sea.
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5. Bucharest, Romania
Cost of living index: 42.41
As the capital of Romania, Bucharest is the leading industrial, cultural and financial center of the country. Therefore, logically, many opportunities are right here. The Danube, as one of the biggest rivers in Europe, is passing through it, so there is the opportunity of romantic sightseeing while walking along the river bank in the evening. The average salary in Bucharest is little less than $700. An average meal in a mid-class restaurant is around $15. Also, the rent for one bedroom apartment in the city center can go up to $420 on a monthly basis.
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4. Belgrade, Serbia
Cost of living index: 41.61
The capital of Serbia that ranks 4th on our list of most affordable places to live in Europe in 2017 is recently named as the New Berlin, mostly because of its nightlife. This city is in constant change and renovation; however, some things remain the same – hospitality and chilled atmosphere. After all, cafes are full even on working days. According to Numbeo, the rent for one bedroom apartment in the city center is around $340.
Vladimir Nenezic/Shutterstock.com
3. Sofia, Bulgaria
Cost of living index: 41.58
We are continuing our list of most affordable places to live in Europe in 2017 with the capital of Bulgaria has around 1.26 million people. It is situated in the midway between the Black Sea and the Adriatic Sea. Basic utilities in Sofia goes about $95 per month. Moreover, if you want to rent a flat in the city center, it would be around $350 for one or two persons (one bedroom), while the average salaries are little less than $700.
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2. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cost of living index: 40.98
If you decided to live in the Balkans, then Sarajevo is the best choice of most affordable places! The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the leading industrial, financial and cultural center of the country. It has a little over 500,000 people. Rent per month in this city with one bedroom is around $280. Moreover, the average net salary per month that you can expect is about $500.
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1. Kiev, Ukraine
Cost of living index: 29.25
On the top of our list of the most affordable places to live in Europe in 2017 is, nonetheless, Kiev! The capital and in the same time the largest city in Ukraine has around 2.9 million people. If you decide to move, you should know that the average salary per month is $300 while the apartment rentals in the city center can be up to $420.
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