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Zemun · Cost of Living 2026
City Guide · Serbia · Europe

Cost of Living in Zemun, Serbia
2026 Expat Guide

very affordable 59% below the global city average (CoL 87.2)

At a cost-of-living index of 36.2 (NYC = 100), Zemun sits firmly among very affordable destinations in Serbia. Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center typically runs around ~$252, while a basic restaurant meal costs roughly ~$4.

With a population of 156,000, Zemun is a smaller city in Serbia.

Monthly Budget: $500–800/month  ·  CoL Index: N/A (NYC = 100, global avg 87.2)
🇷🇸 Serbia Pop. 156k Updated April 2026
CoL Index
N/A
NYC = 100
Rent Index
N/A
NYC = 100
1-BR Centre
$252
monthly rent
Avg. Salary
$2,564
net/month
Cheap Meal
$4
restaurant
Groceries
$158
monthly basket

Key Cost of Living Data

Zemun 2026 · NYC baseline = 100

Cost of Living
N/A
Rent Index
N/A
Cheap Meal USD
$4
Monthly Groceries
$158
Monthly Transport
$43
CategoryValueNotesSource
CoL IndexN/ANYC baseline = 100 · global avg 87.2GlobalCostData 2026
Rent IndexN/AAvg rent vs NYCGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR City Centre$252Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR Outside Centre$164Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Cheap Restaurant Meal$4Per person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly Groceries$158Single person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly Transport$43Transit pass, USDGlobalCostData 2026

Affordability snapshot

Rent / Salary ratio
10%

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

Country context · Serbia

Avg net salary
$2,564
Food basket /mo
N/A
Avg rent /mo
$252
Internet speed
83 Mbps
Safety index
7.0
HDI
0.805
Life expectancy
74.4 yrs
Purchasing power
34.6

Housing & Rent

USD per month · 2026

TypeUSD / monthNotes
1-bed, city centre$252Capital city avg.
1-bed, outside centre$164Suburbs avg.
Country avg rent$252Serbia (national)

Food & Dining

Per-item prices in USD

ItemPrice (USD)Notes
Cheap restaurant meal$4Per person
Mid-range restaurant (2p)$113-course
Monthly groceries (single)$158Single person estimate
Country food basketN/ASerbia (national avg)

Transport

Monthly costs in USD

TypePrice (USD)Notes
Monthly transit pass$43Public transport avg.

City Insight

In Zemun, a 1-bedroom city-centre apartment ($252/mo) absorbs approximately 10% of the average net salary ($2,564/mo). This leaves solid disposable income.

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Monthly Budget Estimates

Zemun · 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

Zemun cost of living

Is Zemun good for digital nomads on a budget?
Zemun is one of the more affordable cities for digital nomads, with a CoL Index of 36.2 (roughly 64% below New York City). A comfortable remote-work lifestyle — including a private apartment, fast internet, and regular dining out — typically costs $362–$507/month, making it highly competitive on a USD or EUR income.
What is the cheapest area to live in Zemun?
Outside the city centre, a 1-bedroom apartment in Zemun averages $164/month, compared to $252/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 Zemun compare to other affordable cities?
With a CoL Index of 36.2, Zemun 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.
How does Zemun compare to New York City for cost of living?
Zemun is approximately 64% cheaper than New York City overall (CoL Index 36.2 vs NYC baseline of 100). Rent specifically is 87% lower than NYC. Expats from NYC will enjoy significant savings.
What is the average salary in Zemun?
The average net monthly salary in Zemun is approximately $2,564, equivalent to around $30,768/year after taxes. Technology, finance, and international companies typically pay above average. Expat packages often include housing allowances on top of the base salary.

Cities With Similar Cost of Living

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

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.