Rents in Sofia and Athens: Two capitals converge on price

Rents in Sofia and Athens are now close to each other. That is shown by a comparison by Bulgarian broadcaster Bulgaria ON AIR on Oct. 17, 2026. According to it, a square meter in downtown Athens costs around 9.52 euros on average, and 11.30 euros in the more expensive southern districts. Ordinary apartments mostly rent for 600 to 800 euros a month, while new or renovated apartments on the Athens Riviera in Glyfada, Voula and Vouliagmeni often go for more than 1,000 euros. The figures for Athens come from the broadcaster's Greece correspondent.

In Sofia, the average rent is 9.36 to 10.29 euros per square meter, according to the report. One-room apartments cost 365 to 530 euros on average, two-room apartments 600 to 650 euros and three-room apartments around 900 euros. In sought-after neighborhoods such as Lozenets, Krastova Vada or around South Park, landlords ask 11 to more than 18 euros per square meter, compared with about 6 to 8 euros in Lyulin, Nadezhda or Obelya.

Although rents are converging in euro terms, both capitals have become among the least affordable cities in Europe for locals, in the broadcaster's assessment. In Athens, rent swallows almost half of an average income, according to the data cited. The report does not name a data source or methodology; the figures should therefore be understood as guideline values.