Cost of Living
Details about the cost of living in Bulgaria.
The cost of living is very low compared to UK standards and the national minimum wage is 50 leva per month (about £15). This means that what may seem cheap to British people may be expensive to Bulgarian Nationals. Generally goods and services are a third cheaper than in the UK and you can enjoy a hearty meal with wine for 15 leva (£5) per couple.
There are a few "trendy" bars opening up around the country which can make you feel as though you are in "Manchester" or other cosmopolitan areas, these may look expensive but again are extremely cheap to drink and eat in. Below are some examples of the price differences between the UK and Bulgaria.
Food
Basic commodities like Bread, Rice, Spaghetti & Flour in the UK are approximately 4 times the Bulgarian price. Dairy products in the UK are approximately 2 times the Bulgarian price.
Meat cuts in the UK are approximately 5x the Bulgarian prices.
Fruit & Vegetables prices in the UK vary from 3 to 1.5 times the cost in Bulgaria. Greater parity of prices is observed on imported (unseasonal) products.
Coffee – Both fresh ground & Instant coffee in the UK is 2 times cost of Bulgaria but UK brands are not available.
Soft drinks – Coca Cola in the UK is almost 3 times the cost of Bulgaria. 
Restaurants / Take away meals
Pricing has been based on 'popular restaurants' and the cost of a 3 course meal in the UK is approximately 3 times the cost of a Bulgarian restaurant.
Take away meals in the UK are approximately 2.5 times the cost of Bulgarian.
Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco
Alcohol and Tobacco – Locally produced Bulgarian wines and spirits are 2 to 5 times less than the cost in the UK and Tobacco products are up to 19 times more expensive in the UK than in Bulgaria.
Personal Care
Basic personal care products such as soap, toothpaste and razor blades are just under 2 times the cost in the UK as compared to Bulgaria.
Hairdressing
Hairdressing costs for men & women in the UK are 5 times the cost of Bulgaria hairdressing services.
Household
Basic Household products in UK are approximately 2 times the cost of similar products in Bulgaria.
Domestic Help
Domestic help – Babysitting, House Cleaning and Nanny costs in the UK are approximately 8 times the cost of the same services in Bulgaria.
Clothing
Men’s clothing and footwear in the UK are up to 4 times more than the price in Bulgaria.
Household Appliances
Household electrical appliances are much closer to parity between Bulgaria & the UK – however there are low cost products on the Bulgarian market that will not appeal to UK consumers.
Communications, Leisure & Media
National newspapers in Bulgaria are under one third the cost of the UK, Cable Television subscription in Bulgaria is one tenth the cost of a similar service in the UK. 
Utilities
Cost of water, electricity and gas in the UK varies between 4 to 3 times the costs in Bulgaria.
Transport
Public Transport - Buses in Cities are up to 14 times more expensive in the UK than in Bulgaria, Train Fares are 4.5 times more expensive in the UK, Petrol is 1.7 times more costly in the UK and Taxis are 22 times more expensive in the UK.