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Ljubljana · Cost of Living 2026
City Guide · Slovenia · Europe

Cost of Living in Ljubljana, Slovenia
2026 Expat Guide

affordable 33% below the global city average (CoL 87.2)

Cost of living in Ljubljana (Slovenia): index 58.6 on the NYC=100 scale, putting it in the affordable category. Central 1BR rent: ~$470/month. Affordable meal: ~$10.

With a population of 272,000, Ljubljana is a smaller city in Slovenia.

Monthly Budget: $500–800/month  ·  CoL Index: N/A (NYC = 100, global avg 87.2)
🇸🇮 Slovenia Pop. 272k Capital Updated April 2026
CoL Index
N/A
NYC = 100
Rent Index
N/A
NYC = 100
1-BR Centre
$470*
monthly rent
Avg. Salary
$3,486
net/month
Cheap Meal
N/A
restaurant
Groceries
N/A
monthly basket

Key Cost of Living Data

Ljubljana 2026 · NYC baseline = 100

Cost of Living
N/A
Rent Index
N/A
Cheap Meal USD
N/A
Monthly Groceries
N/A
Monthly Transport
N/A
CategoryValueNotesSource
CoL IndexN/ANYC baseline = 100 · global avg 87.2GlobalCostData 2026
Rent IndexN/AAvg rent vs NYCGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR City Centre$470*Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR Outside Centre$325*Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Cheap Restaurant MealN/APer person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly GroceriesN/ASingle person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly TransportN/ATransit pass, USDGlobalCostData 2026

* country-level average used as proxy (per-city sample not yet collected)

Affordability snapshot

Rent / Salary ratio
13%

Share of average net salary absorbed by 1-bed city-centre rent. Lower = more disposable income.

Country context · Slovenia

Avg net salary
$4,710
Food basket /mo
N/A
Avg rent /mo
$408
Internet speed
86 Mbps
Safety index
8.4
HDI
0.926
Life expectancy
79.9 yrs
Purchasing power
52.8

Housing & Rent

USD per month · 2026

TypeUSD / monthNotes
1-bed, city centre$470*Capital city avg.
1-bed, outside centre$325*Suburbs avg.
Country avg rent$408Slovenia (national)

* country-level average used as proxy (per-city sample not yet collected)

Food & Dining

Per-item prices in USD

ItemPrice (USD)Notes
Cheap restaurant mealN/APer person
Mid-range restaurant (2p)N/A3-course
Monthly groceries (single)N/ASingle person estimate
Country food basketN/ASlovenia (national avg)

* country-level average used as proxy (per-city sample not yet collected)

Transport

Monthly costs in USD

TypePrice (USD)Notes
Monthly transit passN/APublic transport avg.

City Insight

In Ljubljana, a 1-bedroom city-centre apartment ($470/mo) absorbs approximately 13% of the average net salary ($3,486/mo). This leaves solid disposable income.

Country profile
Full cost of living guide for Slovenia
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Related · TaxRatesByCountry.com
Tax Rates in Slovenia for Expats 2026
Income tax, corporate rates, capital gains & special regimes
Read guide →

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Monthly Budget Estimates

Ljubljana · 2026 · Single person

LifestyleMonthly Budget (USD)Notes
Frugal$500Shared room, basic lifestyle
Comfortable$8001-bed apt, normal expat lifestyle
Western expat$1,300Private apt, regular travel

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Frequently Asked Questions

Ljubljana cost of living

Is Ljubljana good for digital nomads on a budget?
Ljubljana is one of the more affordable cities for digital nomads, with a CoL Index of 58.6 (roughly 41% below New York City). A comfortable remote-work lifestyle — including a private apartment, fast internet, and regular dining out — typically costs $586–$820/month, making it highly competitive on a USD or EUR income.
What is the cheapest area to live in Ljubljana?
Outside the city centre, a 1-bedroom apartment in Ljubljana averages $325/month, compared to $470/month in central areas. Outer districts and emerging neighbourhoods can be even cheaper — local expat forums are the best source for current listings.
How does Ljubljana compare to other affordable cities?
With a CoL Index of 58.6, Ljubljana sits comfortably in the affordable tier (below 60 on the NYC=100 scale). It compares favourably with similar budget destinations in the region, offering a good balance of infrastructure and low cost that appeals to long-stay travellers and expats alike.
Is Ljubljana, the capital, more expensive than other cities in Slovenia?
As the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana tends to command a premium over smaller regional cities. Its CoL Index of 58.6 (NYC=100) reflects the concentration of government, business, and international institutions that typically drive up housing and service costs. Secondary cities in Slovenia are often 20–40% cheaper for rent.
What is the average salary in Ljubljana?
The average net monthly salary in Ljubljana is approximately $3,486, equivalent to around $41,828/year after taxes. Technology, finance, and international companies typically pay above average. Expat packages often include housing allowances on top of the base salary.

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Comparable CoL Index (+/- 10 points) to Ljubljana

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Similar cost cities are computed from the CoL Index.

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Sources: World Bank Open Data 2026 · GlobalCostData Research 2026. Data verified April 2026. Not financial or legal advice.
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and vary by neighbourhood and individual lifestyle. Verify with local sources before relocating.