Cost of Living in Serbia
The average consumer basket in Serbia cost RSD 111,031.18 in July 2026, and the minimum basket RSD 57,286.18, according to the Ministry of Internal and Foreign Trade. That is 0.91 average net salaries. Consumer prices were about 37.5% below the EU average in 2025, and inflation was 4.1% in September 2026.
This page covers what living in Serbia costs, using official figures only: consumer prices and the household budget survey from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (RZS), the consumer basket from the Ministry of Internal and Foreign Trade, and price levels and housing costs from Eurostat. RZS does not publish an average rent in dinars, so we leave that figure out.
Housing costs in Serbia, 2025 and 2026
Price levels in Serbia against the EU average, 2023 to 2025
Rent in Serbia
The Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (RZS) does not publish an average rent in dinars, so this page gives the official figures on how housing costs move and what share they take. Rents rose 10.6% in the 12 months to September 2026, according to the consumer price index, much faster than prices overall. The wider housing group, with water, electricity, gas and other fuels, rose 9.7%: electricity 9.6% and water supply 21.8%.
Housing costs are low against the EU average. Eurostat puts the price level of housing, water and energy in Serbia at 38.8 in 2025, with the EU average at 100. In 2025, 7.9% of people in Serbia lived in a household that spent more than 40% of its disposable income on housing, close to 7.6% in the EU and down from 15.4% in 2023. For people below the poverty line the rate was 34.9%.
Consumer prices and inflation
Consumer prices in Serbia were 4.1% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, up from 2.2% in August, according to RZS. Since December 2025 they rose 3.3%. Transport rose 10.1% over the year, with fuels up 17%, while food fell 1.3%. The October figure is due on 12 November 2026.
Overall, prices are well below the EU average. Eurostat puts Serbian consumer prices at 62.5 in 2025, with the EU average at 100, so about 37.5% lower. Food is close to the EU level at 97.1, and information and communication is at 102.7, slightly above it.
Household spending
The RZS household budget survey shows that the average household spent RSD 109,787 a month on consumption in 2025, 11.8% more than in 2024, with an income of RSD 109,136. Food and non-alcoholic drinks took 36.6% of spending, housing and utilities 16.1%, transport 9% and communication 5.5%. Salaries made up 54.8% of household income and pensions 29.8%.
The Ministry of Internal and Foreign Trade prices an average and a minimum consumer basket each month from RZS data. In July 2026 the average basket cost RSD 111,031.18 and the minimum basket RSD 57,286.18.
| Consumer basket, July 2026 | Average basket | Share | Minimum basket | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | RSD 42,004.78 | 37.83% | RSD 25,785.93 | 45.01% |
| Alcoholic beverages and tobacco | RSD 10,450.78 | 9.41% | RSD 4,829.18 | 8.43% |
| Clothing and footwear | RSD 3,772.78 | 3.40% | RSD 1,459.50 | 2.55% |
| Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels | RSD 24,368.74 | 21.95% | RSD 12,146.08 | 21.20% |
| Furnishings and household maintenance | RSD 4,528.18 | 4.08% | RSD 2,346.77 | 4.10% |
| Health | RSD 3,783.14 | 3.41% | RSD 2,066.17 | 3.61% |
| Transport | RSD 7,397.10 | 6.66% | RSD 2,867.70 | 5.01% |
| Information and communication | RSD 2,608.14 | 2.35% | RSD 1,179.19 | 2.06% |
| Recreation, sport and culture | RSD 6,804.69 | 6.13% | RSD 2,158.19 | 3.77% |
| Education | RSD 554.61 | 0.50% | RSD 144.32 | 0.25% |
| Restaurants and hotels | RSD 1,463.58 | 1.32% | RSD 486.09 | 0.85% |
| Insurance and financial services | RSD 395.67 | 0.36% | RSD 218.21 | 0.38% |
| Personal care, social protection and other | RSD 2,898.99 | 2.61% | RSD 1,598.85 | 2.79% |
| Total | RSD 111,031.18 | 100% | RSD 57,286.18 | 100% |
Transport, utilities and local costs
Transport takes RSD 7,397.10 a month in the average basket, 6.66%. No national figure for public transport fares is published by RZS, and fares are set by each city. Utilities sit inside the housing group of the basket, RSD 24,368.74 a month. Electricity prices were 9.6% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier.
What it means for pay and hiring
In July 2026 the average consumer basket cost 0.91 average net salaries, by the ministry's figures. In Belgrade the basket was RSD 116,919.05 and the average net salary RSD 149,577, a ratio of 0.78. The average net salary for Serbia was RSD 117,282 in August 2026, so the July basket was about 95% of it. The 2026 minimum wage, RSD 64,554 net for 174 hours, is about 113% of the minimum basket, by our calculation.
| City, July 2026 | Average net salary | Average basket | Basket as share of net salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serbia | RSD 121,346 | RSD 111,031.18 | 0.91 |
| Belgrade | RSD 149,577 | RSD 116,919.05 | 0.78 |
| Novi Sad | RSD 136,754 | RSD 124,586.47 | 0.91 |
| Niลก | RSD 118,240 | RSD 104,281.59 | 0.88 |
Pay in Serbia is usually quoted net, so compare offers on the same basis. See average salary in Serbia for pay by activity and region, the Serbia minimum wage page, and our guide to hiring in Serbia for employer costs and rules.
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Frequently asked questions
How much is rent in Serbia?
RZS does not publish an average rent in dinars. Its consumer price index shows rents 10.6% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier. Eurostat puts the price level of housing, water and energy at 38.8 in 2025, with the EU average at 100.
How expensive is Serbia compared with the EU?
Eurostat puts Serbian consumer prices at 62.5 in 2025, with the EU average at 100, so about 37.5% lower. Food was at 97.1, close to the EU level.
What is inflation in Serbia?
Consumer prices were 4.1% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to RZS.
How much is the consumer basket in Serbia?
The average consumer basket cost RSD 111,031.18 in July 2026 and the minimum basket RSD 57,286.18, according to the Ministry of Internal and Foreign Trade.
How much does a Serbian household spend each month?
In 2025 the average household spent RSD 109,787 a month on consumption, according to the RZS household budget survey. Food took 36.6% and housing and utilities 16.1%.
Sources
- Ministry of Internal and Foreign Trade, Purchasing power: consumer basket, July 2026. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- Ministry of Internal and Foreign Trade, Consumer basket 2026, monthly releases. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- RZS, Consumer price indices by COICOP, September 2026, 12 Oct 2026. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- RZS, Income in money and in kind and individual consumption of households, 2025, 9 Apr 2026. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- Eurostat, HICP annual rates of change. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- Eurostat, Price level indices. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- Eurostat, Housing cost overburden rate. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- RZS, Average salaries per employee, August 2026. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- Government of Serbia, Decision on the minimum wage for 2026. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
