The cost of living in Montenegro occupies a middle ground that is increasingly rare today: it is not extremely low, as in some countries in the region, yet it remains significantly more affordable than in most Western countries and popular Mediterranean destinations. Its greatest advantage is flexibility: you can live very modestly, or quite comfortably, depending on the region, the city, and the lifestyle you choose.
• The coast: the most expensive, especially in summer
• Podgorica and the central region: steady, moderate, and the most realistic for everyday living
• The north: the most affordable, with the exception of winter tourist resorts
Let us break this down in detail.
Prices vary more here than in any other category.
Podgorica:
• One-bedroom apartment rental: €400 to €600
• Two-bedroom apartment: €550 to €800
• Luxury areas: €800 to €1,200
The coast:
• In winter, prices are similar to Podgorica, and sometimes even lower
• In summer, they rise by 30 to 100 percent, depending on the town
Budva, Tivat, and Kotor are the most expensive.
Herceg Novi and Bar are more affordable.
Ulcinj is very budget-friendly out of season.
The north:
• Much more affordable than Podgorica and the coast
• Žabljak and Kolašin become more expensive in both summer and winter because of tourism
Property prices also vary considerably.
• Podgorica: €2,000 to €2,800 per square meter
• The coast: €2,500 to €4,000, with luxury properties reaching as much as €7,000
• The north: €900 to €1,500
Montenegro has solid local production of certain food products, so some food items are of good quality and affordably priced.
Average monthly food costs:
• One person: €500
• A family with children: €1,200
Examples of prices:
• Bread: €0.70 to €1.50
• Milk: €1
• Eggs (10): €3
• Cheese: €7 to €10 per kg
• Meat: €15 to €20 per kg for veal, €5 to €8 per kg for pork, €4 to €6 for chicken
• Fruit and vegetables: seasonal, generally slightly cheaper than in Western Europe
• Oil: €1.40 to €1.80
Montenegro is a country where people often eat out, because prices are reasonable and accessible.
Coffee: €2 to €3.50
A meal in a mid-range restaurant: €7 to €15
A fish meal in a coastal tavern: €15 to €25
Pizza/pasta: €5 to €12
Fine dining: €25 to €60 per person
Beer: €2 to €4
Local transport:
• Bus ticket: €0.90
• Urban taxi rides: €3 to €8
• Monthly pass: €20 to €30, depending on the type of pass
Fuel: €1.35 to €1.55 per litre, with frequent fluctuations.
Car rental: €20 to €40 out of season, €40 to €80 in summer.
Monthly bills for an average apartment:
• Electricity: €20 to €60, higher in winter because of heating
• Water and garbage collection: €8 to €15
• Internet and cable package: €25 to €35
• Mobile phone service: €7 to €15, with plans that include generous data allowances
Montenegro has excellent mobile network coverage and good internet quality, especially in urban areas. It ranks third in the region for fixed internet speed, with an average speed of 87.64 Mbps.
Public healthcare is free for citizens and registered residents.
The private sector is affordable.
Specialist consultation with ultrasound: €50 to €70
Dentist: €40 to €60 for basic services
Laboratory tests: €10 to €30 for most analyses
For foreigners and digital nomads, the private sector is especially attractive because of its price and quality.
Public schools are free. Public kindergartens cost €50 per month.
Private schools and kindergartens are significantly more affordable than in the EU.
Private kindergartens: €300 per month
The cost of studying in Montenegro is as follows: at the state university, students who do not earn 45 ECTS credits pay €250 per semester for most programmes, or €500 for arts and architecture. Private universities generally charge around €1,350 to €2,500 per year.
The most expensive because of the season, but also the most varied in what it offers.
Very affordable in winter.
In summer, the prices of accommodation, groceries, and taxis rise.
The most stable and the most affordable for long-term living.
Podgorica has the best infrastructure and the most realistic prices.
The most affordable, except for winter resort towns.
Food and utilities are very reasonably priced.
Accommodation is the cheapest in the country.
• Digital nomads
• Foreigners who work while earning salaries from abroad
• Families seeking a safe, peaceful, and affordable life
• Retirees from Western Europe
• Locals with stable incomes
For one person in Montenegro, a minimal but decent monthly budget usually ranges from around €700 to €1,000, while a more comfortable lifestyle generally requires €1,200 to €1,800, depending on the city and the rent. In practice, a family usually needs between €1,800 and €3,000 per month, and on the coast in summer, even more.
