Sarajevo is the most expensive city in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). A family of four spends 4.324 BAM per month for living without rent in Sarajevo; with rent included, the total family budget reaches 5.500 BAM.
As citizens of BiH increasingly emphasize that it is harder to cover basic expenses each month, comparisons have been made of how much life in Sarajevo actually costs compared to other cities in the country and the region. The comparison includes Banja Luka, Mostar, Tuzla, Belgrade, Nis, Podgorica, Skopje, Zagreb, Split, Ljubljana, and Maribor.
Sarajevo vs. Banja Luka
Sarajevo is the most expensive city in BiH. A family of four spends 4.324 BAM per month without rent, while in Banja Luka the cost is 4.060 BAM – a difference of 264 BAM. With rent, the total family budget reaches 5.500 BAM in Sarajevo and 5.050 BAM in Banja Luka. A family in Banja Luka can thus save 450 BAM per month.
Sarajevo vs. Mostar
Mostar is significantly cheaper. Without rent, monthly costs are around 3.440 BAM – 884 BAM less than in Sarajevo. With rent, costs reach 4.300 BAM, which is a saving of 1.200 BAM compared to the capital.
Sarajevo vs. Tuzla
Tuzla has the most favorable combination of basic costs and housing. Living without rent costs 3.587 BAM, which is 737 BAM less than in Sarajevo. Rent is 54.6% lower, so total costs amount to 4.100 BAM – a difference of 1.400 BAM per month.
Sarajevo vs. Belgrade
Life in Belgrade is more expensive. The cost of living without rent in Sarajevo is 7.7% lower, and with rent, 17.2% lower. Apartments in Sarajevo are 43.6% cheaper, restaurants 27.7% cheaper, while groceries are 4% more expensive. Purchasing power in Sarajevo is 2.7% lower. For the same standard of living, 5.524 BAM is needed in Sarajevo versus 6.673 BAM in Belgrade – a difference of 1.149 BAM.
Sarajevo vs. Nis
Nis is cheaper to live in. Living costs in Sarajevo are 15.3% higher without rent and 19% higher when rent is included. Apartments are 39.1% more expensive, restaurants 7.8%, and groceries 23.7%. Purchasing power in Sarajevo is 2.7% lower. A family of four needs 5.556 BAM in Sarajevo, which corresponds to 4.671 BAM in Nis – a difference of 885 BAM.
Sarajevo vs. Podgorica
Living without rent in Sarajevo is 2.8% higher than in Podgorica, but with rent, Sarajevo becomes 4.9% cheaper. Apartment prices are 29.1% lower, restaurants 15.5% cheaper, while groceries are 6.9% more expensive. Purchasing power is 12% lower. For the same standard, 5.578 BAM is needed in Sarajevo versus 6.000 BAM in Podgorica – a saving of 422 BAM.
Sarajevo vs. Skopje
Skopje has lower living costs. Sarajevo is 13.2% more expensive without rent and 15.4% with rent. Apartments are 27.1% more expensive, restaurants 14.2%, and groceries 16.6%. Purchasing power in Sarajevo is 1.2% higher. For the same standard, a family needs 5.504 BAM in Sarajevo versus 4.620 BAM in Skopje – a difference of 884 BAM.
Sarajevo vs. Zagreb and Split
Zagreb: Living costs without rent in Sarajevo are 19.8% lower, with rent 25% lower. Apartments are 42.3% cheaper, restaurants 33.3%, and groceries 16.1%. Purchasing power in Sarajevo is 34.9% lower. For the same standard, 5.568 BAM is needed in Sarajevo versus 7.600 BAM in Zagreb – a difference of 2.032 BAM.
Split: The difference is even greater. Sarajevo is 27.6% cheaper without rent, and 33.8% cheaper with rent. Apartments are 52.5% cheaper, restaurants 45.2%, and groceries 19.3%. A family in Sarajevo needs 5.561 BAM, while in Split 8.600 BAM – a difference of 3.039 BAM.
Sarajevo vs. Ljubljana and Maribor
Ljubljana: Sarajevo is 24.6% cheaper without rent and 33.3% cheaper with rent. Apartments are 56.3% cheaper, restaurants 37.6%, and groceries 17.5%. Purchasing power is 23.6% lower. For the same standard, 5.477 BAM is needed in Sarajevo versus 8.400 BAM in Ljubljana – a saving of 2.923 BAM.
Maribor: Living costs in Sarajevo are 15.1% lower without rent and 13.6% with rent. Apartments are 6.2% cheaper, restaurants 24.1%, and groceries 13.3%. Purchasing power is 44.3% lower. For the same standard, 5.573 BAM is needed in Sarajevo versus 6.600 BAM in Maribor – a difference of 1.027 BAM.
