Cost of living in Albania compared to Bulgaria
Currency:
Food | + 12% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Albania is 12% more expensive than in Bulgaria | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 700 Lek (11 лв) | 11 лв | + 2% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 415 Lek (7 лв) | 8 лв | - 21% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 246 Lek (3.90 лв) | 5.27 лв | - 26% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 123 Lek (1.95 лв) | 2.08 лв | - 6% | |
12 eggs, large | 184 Lek (2.92 лв) | 3.90 лв | - 25% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 96 Lek (1.53 лв) | 2.91 лв | - 48% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 352 Lek (5.57 лв) | 6 лв | - 9% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 92 Lek (1.45 лв) | 2.20 лв | - 34% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 60 Lek (0.95 лв) | 1.21 лв | - 22% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 157 Lek (2.48 лв) | 1.27 лв | + 95% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,560 Lek (25 лв) | 10 лв | + 146% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 159 Lek (2.52 лв) | 2.40 лв | + 5% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 156 Lek (2.48 лв) | 0.74 лв | + 233% | |
Housing | + 12% | |||
Housing in Albania is 12% more expensive than in Bulgaria | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 25,000 Lek (396 лв) | 873 лв | - 55% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 28,117 Lek (445 лв) | 652 лв | - 32% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 27,097 Lek (429 лв) | 197 лв | + 117% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 37,477 Lek (593 лв) | 576 лв | + 3% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 20,000 Lek (317 лв) | 450 лв | - 30% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 25,758 Lek (408 лв) | 133 лв | + 206% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,225 Lek (19 лв) | 14 лв | + 42% | |
40” flat screen tv | 15,340 Lek (243 лв) | 538 лв | - 55% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 15,000 Lek (237 лв) | 156 лв | + 52% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 612 Lek (10 лв) | 17 лв | - 44% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 300 Lek (4.75 лв) | 14 лв | - 67% | |
Clothes | - 21% | |||
Clothes in Albania is 21% cheaper than in Bulgaria | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,500 Lek (40 лв) | 93 лв | - 58% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,700 Lek (43 лв) | 53 лв | - 19% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 6,865 Lek (109 лв) | 126 лв | - 14% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 12,000 Lek (190 лв) | 129 лв | + 47% | |
Transportation | - 14% | |||
Transportation in Albania is 14% cheaper than in Bulgaria | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | 40,092 лв | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 150 Lek (2.37 лв) | 1.90 лв | + 25% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 1,600 Lek (25 лв) | 49 лв | - 48% | |
Personal Care | + 50% | |||
Personal Care in Albania is 50% more expensive than in Bulgaria | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 611 Lek (10 лв) | 8 лв | + 19% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 1,006 Lek (16 лв) | 13 лв | + 22% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 3,000 Lek (47 лв) | 26 лв | + 81% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 1,090 Lek (17 лв) | 9 лв | + 82% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 403 Lek (6 лв) | 4.12 лв | + 55% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 433 Lek (7 лв) | 4.83 лв | + 42% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 220 Lek (3.49 лв) | 2.21 лв | + 58% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 405 Lek (6 лв) | 2.80 лв | + 129% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 458 Lek (7 лв) | 10 лв | - 30% | |
Entertainment | + 43% | |||
Entertainment in Albania is 43% more expensive than in Bulgaria | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 4,174 Lek (66 лв) | 40 лв | + 66% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,667 Lek (26 лв) | 23 лв | + 17% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 3,449 Lek (55 лв) | 55 лв | - 2% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 8,395 Lek (133 лв) | 67 лв | + 97% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 726 Lek (11 лв) | 10 лв | + 15% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 178 Lek (2.81 лв) | 4.00 лв | - 30% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 671 Lek (11 лв) | 3.09 лв | + 243% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 45,207 Lek (715 лв) | 874 лв | - 18% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 20 Lek (0.32 лв) | 0.23 лв | + 41% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 4,031 Lek (64 лв) | 39 лв | + 62% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 318 Lek (5.03 лв) | 5.61 лв | - 10% | |
TOTAL | + 9% |

These prices were last updated on February 23, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.01583
BGN
/
ALL
Cost of living in Albania is 9% more expensive than in Bulgaria
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