Cost of Living: Serbia vs France

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Serbia and France.

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Serbia is 40.4% cheaper than France. The biggest difference is in Other Expenses, where costs are 68.0% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in France, you would spend about $60 in Serbia for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Other Expenses 68.0%

Serbia is 68.0% cheaper

Salaries And Financing 66.7%

Serbia is 66.7% cheaper

Markets 55.4%

Serbia is 55.4% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 40.4%

Serbia is 40.4% cheaper than France

Most Expensive Categories

Is Serbia cheaper than France?

Yes, Serbia is cheaper than France

Overall, living costs in Serbia are 40.4% lower than in France.

Where Serbia is cheaper:

  • Other Expenses 68.0% cheaper
  • Salaries And Financing 66.7% cheaper
  • Markets 55.4% cheaper

Where Serbia is more expensive:

No significant cost disadvantages found.

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Serbia: 9.71 $ France: 17.07 $
43.1% cheaper in Serbia

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Serbia: 573.41 $ France: 875.36 $
34.5% cheaper in Serbia

Monthly public transport pass

Serbia: 21.36 $ France: 70.58 $
69.7% cheaper in Serbia

1 liter of gasoline

Serbia: 1.81 $ France: 2.04 $
11.3% cheaper in Serbia

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Serbia is indeed cheaper than France. You would save approximately 40.4% on living expenses by choosing Serbia over France. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

40.4%

Serbia is 40.4% cheaper than France

Restaurants

29.3%

Serbia is 29.3% cheaper than France in this category

Markets

55.4%

Serbia is 55.4% cheaper than France in this category

Other Expenses

68.0%

Serbia is 68.0% cheaper than France in this category

Transportation

22.4%

Serbia is 22.4% cheaper than France in this category

Household Utilities

9.7%

Serbia is 9.7% cheaper than France in this category

Mobile and Internet

15.8%

Serbia is 15.8% cheaper than France in this category

Sports And Leisure

13.6%

Serbia is 13.6% cheaper than France in this category

Childcare

33.0%

Serbia is 33.0% cheaper than France in this category

Clothing And Shoes

5.1%

Serbia is 5.1% cheaper than France in this category

Rent Per Month

37.7%

Serbia is 37.7% cheaper than France in this category

Property Prices

47.4%

Serbia is 47.4% cheaper than France in this category

Salaries And Financing

66.7%

Serbia is 66.7% cheaper than France in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Serbia France Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 9.71 $ 17.07 $ 43.1%
Serbia is 43.1% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 48.54 $ 68.30 $ 28.9%
Serbia is 28.9% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 10.49 $ 12.52 $ 16.2%
Serbia is 16.2% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 2.26 $ 3.63 $ 37.7%
Serbia is 37.7% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 2.17 $ 3.19 $ 32.0%
Serbia is 32.0% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 1.66 $ 2.21 $ 24.9%
Serbia is 24.9% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.69 $ 0.78 $ 11.5%
Serbia is 11.5% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml) ? ? N/A
Imported Beer (330ml) 3.00 $ 3.33 $ 9.9%
Serbia is 9.9% cheaper
Mid-Range Wine ? 11.38 $ N/A
Local Beer (500ml bottle) ? ? N/A
Milk (1L) 1.43 $ 1.31 $ 9.2%
Serbia is 9.2% more expensive
Fresh Bread (500g) 0.84 $ 2.04 $ 58.8%
Serbia is 58.8% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 2.60 $ 2.59 $ 0.4%
Serbia is 0.4% more expensive
Eggs (12 pack) 2.67 $ 4.29 $ 37.8%
Serbia is 37.8% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 9.94 $ 20.08 $ 50.5%
Serbia is 50.5% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 7.15 $ 13.86 $ 48.4%
Serbia is 48.4% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 13.01 $ 21.30 $ 38.9%
Serbia is 38.9% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 1.24 $ 3.12 $ 60.3%
Serbia is 60.3% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 1.84 $ 2.33 $ 21.0%
Serbia is 21.0% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 1.76 $ 3.10 $ 43.2%
Serbia is 43.2% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 2.39 $ 3.63 $ 34.2%
Serbia is 34.2% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 1.03 $ 2.35 $ 56.2%
Serbia is 56.2% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 0.87 $ 2.45 $ 64.5%
Serbia is 64.5% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 0.78 $ 1.57 $ 50.3%
Serbia is 50.3% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 21.36 $ 70.58 $ 69.7%
Serbia is 69.7% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 4.37 $ 13.66 $ 68.0%
Serbia is 68.0% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 0.68 $ 2.16 $ 68.5%
Serbia is 68.5% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 1.94 $ 5.46 $ 64.5%
Serbia is 64.5% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 0.97 $ 2.28 $ 57.5%
Serbia is 57.5% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 11.65 $ 37.22 $ 68.7%
Serbia is 68.7% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 1.81 $ 2.04 $ 11.3%
Serbia is 11.3% cheaper
New Economy Car 30,164.50 $ 36,876.07 $ 18.2%
Serbia is 18.2% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 26,542.12 $ 36,162.84 $ 26.6%
Serbia is 26.6% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 190.45 $ 210.87 $ 9.7%
Serbia is 9.7% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 19.85 $ 25.59 $ 22.4%
Serbia is 22.4% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 30.49 $ 34.21 $ 10.9%
Serbia is 10.9% cheaper
Gym Membership 34.42 $ 37.20 $ 7.5%
Serbia is 7.5% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 18.64 $ 18.42 $ 1.2%
Serbia is 1.2% more expensive
Movie Ticket 6.80 $ 13.66 $ 50.2%
Serbia is 50.2% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 359.98 $ 800.37 $ 55.0%
Serbia is 55.0% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 7,944.67 $ 11,595.44 $ 31.5%
Serbia is 31.5% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 94.24 $ 102.59 $ 8.1%
Serbia is 8.1% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 42.54 $ 43.82 $ 2.9%
Serbia is 2.9% cheaper
1 Pair of Running Shoes 109.83 $ 104.20 $ 5.4%
Serbia is 5.4% more expensive
1 Pair of Business Shoes 122.35 $ 138.28 $ 11.5%
Serbia is 11.5% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 573.41 $ 875.36 $ 34.5%
Serbia is 34.5% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 415.09 $ 692.40 $ 40.1%
Serbia is 40.1% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,067.37 $ 1,634.03 $ 34.7%
Serbia is 34.7% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 739.91 $ 1,289.02 $ 42.6%
Serbia is 42.6% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 3,443.51 $ 6,484.72 $ 46.9%
Serbia is 46.9% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 2,296.09 $ 4,425.62 $ 48.1%
Serbia is 48.1% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 888.08 $ 2,687.45 $ 67.0%
Serbia is 67.0% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 6.75 3.66 84.4%
Serbia is 84.4% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to France. Enter your monthly expenses in Serbia to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Serbia and France goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Serbia vs France

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Serbia

  • Basic groceries tend to be more expensive, suggesting different shopping patterns.

France

  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in Serbia Cost of living in France

Related comparisons