Cost Of Living For a Student in Novi Sad 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: RSD
Average monthly spending for students in Novi Sad
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Novi Sad?
Students in Novi Sad spend around 71,000 RSD per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 11,000 RSD or as high as 470,000 RSD. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Novi Sad
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
| 470 RSD | 710 RSD | 1,400 RSD |
Fine dining meal for one
| 950 RSD | 1,400 RSD | 5,700 RSD |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 690 RSD | 920 RSD | 1,800 RSD |
Average car 1-day rental
| 730 RSD | 970 RSD | 1,500 RSD |
Average car price
| 350,000 RSD | 690,000 RSD | 920,000 RSD |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 970 RSD | 1,500 RSD | 2,900 RSD |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 430 RSD | 2,800 RSD | 19,000 RSD |
Internet and cable
| 690 RSD | 1,400 RSD | 1,800 RSD |
Mobile phone charges
| 550 RSD | 920 RSD | 2,800 RSD |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
| 1,200 RSD | 1,500 RSD | 2,900 RSD |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 860 RSD | 1,200 RSD | 1,800 RSD |
Woman dress
| 810 RSD | 1,100 RSD | 3,600 RSD |
Woman shoes
| 770 RSD | 1,000 RSD | 2,400 RSD |
Men's shoes
| 660 RSD | 810 RSD | 1,600 RSD |
Men suit
| 730 RSD | 910 RSD | 4,900 RSD |
Regular t-shirt
| 360 RSD | 490 RSD | 1,500 RSD |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 12,000 RSD | 18,000 RSD | 49,000 RSD |
1-bedroom apartment
| 18,000 RSD | 29,000 RSD | 73,000 RSD |
2-bedroom apartment
| 24,000 RSD | 36,000 RSD | 97,000 RSD |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 2.4M RSD | 3.6M RSD | 7.3M RSD |
1-bedroom apartment
| 2.9M RSD | 4.9M RSD | 18M RSD |
2-bedroom apartment
| $45,000 | $130,000 | $270,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 14,000 RSD | 17,000 RSD | 23,000 RSD |
Double Bed
| 9,200 RSD | 14,000 RSD | 17,000 RSD |
Single Bed
| 8,200 RSD | 11,000 RSD | 14,000 RSD |
Living Room
| 15,000 RSD | 20,000 RSD | 69,000 RSD |
Dining Table
| 6,900 RSD | 9,200 RSD | 17,000 RSD |
Sofa or Couch
| 9,200 RSD | 13,000 RSD | 28,000 RSD |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 9,200 RSD | 14,000 RSD | 28,000 RSD |
Fridge or Freezer
| 8,200 RSD | 13,000 RSD | 17,000 RSD |
Washing Machine
| 11,000 RSD | 15,000 RSD | 28,000 RSD |
Stove or Cooker
| 9,900 RSD | 13,000 RSD | 17,000 RSD |
Mobile Phone
| 12,000 RSD | 14,000 RSD | 20,000 RSD |
Laptop or Computer
| 13,000 RSD | 15,000 RSD | 28,000 RSD |
How do students spend their money in Novi Sad?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost18%
18% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)
| LOW | $24 2,600 RSD |
| AVERAGE | $160 17,000 RSD |
| HIGH | $1,000 110,000 RSD |
| Per Month |
Students in Novi Sad typically spend from 13% to 24% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 18% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 17,000 RSD with expenditure ranging from 2,600 RSD to 110,000 RSD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $4 430 RSD |
| AVERAGE | $26 2,800 RSD |
| HIGH | $170 19,000 RSD |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Novi Sad ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 2,800 RSD with 430 RSD and 19,000 RSD being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $7 750 RSD |
| AVERAGE | $46 5,000 RSD |
| HIGH | $310 33,000 RSD |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 750 RSD to 33,000 RSD in a month on commuting with 5,000 RSD being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $20 2,200 RSD |
| AVERAGE | $130 14,000 RSD |
| HIGH | $870 94,000 RSD |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Novi Sad is 14,000 RSD. The cost of groceries can range between 2,200 RSD to 94,000 RSD. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $6 650 RSD |
| AVERAGE | $39 4,200 RSD |
| HIGH | $260 28,000 RSD |
| Per Month |
Students in Novi Sad allocate 6% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 650 RSD to 28,000 RSD with 4,200 RSD being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
| LOW | $5 540 RSD |
| AVERAGE | $33 3,500 RSD |
| HIGH | $220 24,000 RSD |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 540 RSD to 24,000 RSD with 3,500 RSD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $19 2,000 RSD |
| AVERAGE | $120 13,000 RSD |
| HIGH | $830 90,000 RSD |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 13,000 RSD per month with 2,000 RSD being the minimum spent amount and 90,000 RSD being the maximum.
Other Expenses18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $15 1,600 RSD |
| AVERAGE | $98 11,000 RSD |
| HIGH | $650 71,000 RSD |
| Per Month |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Novi Sad
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Novi Sad?
Around 65% of surveyed students think that living in Novi Sad is affordable with proper budgeting while 35% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Novi Sad
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options60%
Few low-cost options40%
Based on the survey, 60% of the students living in Novi Sad have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 40% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students of Novi Sad whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes62%
No38%
Based on the survey, 38% of the students living in Novi Sad said that they don't have an emergency fund while 62% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Serbia
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy58%
We asked student guardians and parents in Novi Sad whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 42% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 58% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of Serbia have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 40% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 60% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance40%
Easily manages finances60%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Novi Sad
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Novi Sad
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 12,000 RSD | 18,000 RSD | 49,000 RSD |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 18,000 RSD | 29,000 RSD | 73,000 RSD |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 24,000 RSD | 36,000 RSD | 97,000 RSD |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 29,000 RSD | 49,000 RSD | 130,000 RSD |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 58,000 RSD | 150,000 RSD | 290,000 RSD |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 49,000 RSD | 73,000 RSD | 210,000 RSD |
House monthly rent cost
| 58,000 RSD | 150,000 RSD | 290,000 RSD |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 73,000 RSD | 180,000 RSD | 290,000 RSD |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Novi Sad ranges between 12,000 RSD and 49,000 RSD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 18,000 RSD to 73,000 RSD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 24,000 RSD and 97,000 RSD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 29,000 RSD to 130,000 RSD. The average rent of a townhouse in Novi Sad is around 73,000 RSD while house rental costs can be as high as 150,000 RSD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 73,000 RSD to 290,000 RSD per month.
Apartment and house prices in Novi Sad
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 2.4M RSD | 3.6M RSD | 7.3M RSD |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 2.9M RSD | 4.9M RSD | 18M RSD |
2-bedroom apartment price
| $45,000 | $130,000 | $270,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| $150,000 | $220,000 | $670,000 |
Townhouse price
House price
| 24M RSD | 150M RSD | 210M RSD |
Villa price
| 29M RSD | 160M RSD | 240M RSD |
The average price of a studio apartment in Novi Sad can range from 2.4M RSD to 7.3M RSD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 2.9M RSD to 18M RSD. A villa can cost you 160M RSD on average with prices ranging from 29M RSD to 240M RSD.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Novi Sad will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 35 | x100 monthly income | 205 |
Property prices in Novi Sad can be x100 to x205 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x100 multiples of the average monthly salary in Novi Sad.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Novi Sad is around 31%. This means that people pay 31% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 21% to 41% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
29% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 220 RSD | 2,800 RSD | 28,000 RSD |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Novi Sad
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Novi Sad
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 430 RSD | 2,800 RSD | 19,000 RSD |
Internet and cable cost
| 690 RSD | 1,400 RSD | 1,800 RSD |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 550 RSD | 920 RSD | 2,800 RSD |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 2,800 RSD. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 690 RSD to 1,800 RSD with 1,400 RSD being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 920 RSD but can range between 550 RSD and 2,800 RSD depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Novi Sad is around 6.2%. This means that people pay 6.2% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.1% to 10% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Novi Sad
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Novi Sad
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Novi Sad is approximatly 280 RSD with meal cost ranging from 140 RSD to 460 RSD. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 470 RSD | 710 RSD | 1,400 RSD |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 470 RSD and 1,400 RSD with 710 RSD being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Novi Sad.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 950 RSD | 1,400 RSD | 5,700 RSD |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 950 RSD to 5,700 RSD with the average cost being 1,400 RSD for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Novi Sad.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Novi Sad is around 180 RSD. Price ranges between 120 RSD and 280 RSD depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Novi Sad is 110 RSD. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 140 RSD and the minimum being 92 RSD depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 92 RSD on average with 69 RSD and 140 RSD being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Novi Sad is between 160 RSD and 290 RSD depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 200 RSD.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 280 RSD. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Novi Sad costs around 100 RSD on average with prices rangeing between 75 RSD and 140 RSD depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 28 RSD to 69 RSD. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 65 RSD on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Novi Sad is around 28%. This means that students spend 28% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 20% to 34% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 2,200 RSD to 94,000 RSD with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
