Zagreb is the beautiful capital city of Croatia. While it's not Paris or Rome, it has its own unique charms, impressive history, and amazing heritage. It's also a major business and finance hub of the country, making it a staple for those who move to Croatia for work. But whether one already lives here or has just relocated here, if there's one thing residents ought to know about the city, it's the living costs. Just how expensive is it to live in the Croatian capital? Well, here's what you need to know.
Costs of Renting in Zagreb
Oftentimes, a good way to gauge just how expensive it is to live in a city is to check out its common rental fees. After all, for the most part, one's rent is his/her most expensive cost, often ranging within the thousands mark. Here in Zagreb, a one-bedroom
luxury home commonly costs around 2,000.00 kn to 4,508.42 kn a month, while a three-bedroom will be around 3,000.00 kn to 9,016.83 kn a month. So, how does that measure up to the average Zagreb resident? According to
the country's job market, a standard subordinate earns around 8,000.00 kn to 9,000.00 kn a month. So overall, the rental costs here aren't that bad.
Costs of Buying Property in Zagreb
Now, if you want to buy property in Zagreb, that's an entirely different story. It's not fair to say you can gauge the real estate costs of a place in the same way that common rental fees do because the former is always going to be expensive. Here in the Croatian capital, you'll need to spend around 18,000.00 kn to 26,299.10 kn per square meter to purchase your own place in any of the
central districts. And even if you want your home to be along the outskirts of town, that will still cost you 11,500.00 kn to 20,000.00 kn per square meter.
Utilities Costs
If all of that overwhelmed you, you'd be glad to know that the utilities costs in Zagreb aren't all that high. In fact, in some ways, they're the lowest of them all. For all your basic monthly bills—including electricity, water, heating, garbage disposal, and the like—you'll only have to pay around 850.00 kn to 1,800.00 kn per month. Of course, if you're taking up more than the standard, such bills will cost higher! But how about your wifi connection, the modern-day necessity that practically all homes have nowadays? That will cost you around 150.00 kn to 240.45 kn a month!
Food Costs
In the whole grand scheme of things, Zagreb's food costs aren't all that high. However, if you compare them to those of other European cities in their respective currencies, you might find that the differences are quite stark. In those places, their general food costs don't reach the hundreds mark in their own currencies. But in Zagreb, the total median common price is 364.67 kn. This will account for everything, from a loaf of bed and a dozen eggs to all sorts of fruits, vegetables, and meats. Best of all, they can last you around one to two weeks tops!
Dining Costs
What about when you want to eat out? Going to a business lunch with clients, perhaps? Or taking your significant other out on a date. How much will that cost you? It depends! If you go for the
most popular foodie hotspots in the city, expect to pay a lot for just a meal. However, if you go for a meal in an affordable restaurant instead, it will only cost you 40.00 kn to 70.00 kn. Remember that hot date with your SO? If you take him/her to a mid-range place, you'll only have to pay around 200.00 kn to 400.00 kn for a three-course meal!
Transportation Costs
Since
public transport is thriving in Zagreb, this gives you a myriad of alternatives to buying your own car here. And that's good news too considering that the latter will cost you around 140,000.00 kn to 180,000.00 kn, no matter what type of vehicle it is or what company it came from. But with public transport, you'll only have to pay a minimum of 4.00 kn to 70.00 kn for the buses and trams. And the more expensive ones are good for as long as a couple of days, not just for your initial ride. Not a bad deal, right?
Clothing Costs
Shopping in Zagreb? You can still save a lot while still getting plenty of goodies! Granted, if you only go for the more affordable brands. Of course, if you purchase any item from a designer store, of which Zagreb has a good fair share of, even the tiniest piece you found might cost you an arm and a leg. But if you, for instance, shop at a high street label, it will only cost you around 120.00 kn to 350.00 kn a piece. Want to buy a new pair of kicks? Even if you go to a famous sportswear brand, it will only cost you 400.00 kn to 850.00 kn!
Leisure Costs
Remember! Since Croatia is known for its beaches and whatnot, wouldn't you want to have a bangin' body to show off? If you do, you can always become a member of any of the fine gyms in Zagreb. Memberships in the standard mid-range places cost only 190.00 kn to 350.00 kn. But if you go for a more upscale fitness club, that will, of course, cost higher! And what if you want to rent a court on the weekends to play sports? That's going to be 50.00 kn to 100.00 kn an hour! Finally, if you want to relax and watch a movie, tickets here cost around 35.00 kn to 45.00 kn!
Childcare & Education Costs
If there's one thing that you ought to prepare to shell out a ton of money for, it's your child's safety and education. Here in Zagreb, that's going to cost you a pretty penny! Just how much? Well, while they're still young and you can't take care of them because of work and whatnot, you can enroll them in a private daycare center that costs around 600.00 kn to 3,000.00 kn per month. And when they grow older, if you enroll them in a private or
international school in Zagreb (which you should if you could afford it!), you'll face yearly tuition fees of around 20,000.00 kn to 72,000.00 kn! Just think of them as investing for your little one's future!
Living in Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia, will cost you a pretty penny. Just how pretty that will be will depend on you and your lifestyle! But overall, compared to other cities in this part of the world, the living costs here aren't that bad!
