Skyline of Budva
Cost of Living: 80 19,000

Budva, Montenegro

Montenegro's most famous coastal resort town, known for its medieval Old Town, vibrant nightlife, and the beautiful beaches of the Budva Riviera.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Budva is a city in Budva with a population of 19,000. Montenegro’s most famous coastal resort town, known for its medieval Old Town, vibrant nightlife, and the beautiful beaches of the Budva Riviera. Housing is more affordable than the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 6a growing zone supports Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, with about 260 sunny days a year. Reported crime rates are relatively low.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 80

Below Average vs Montenegro Avg (100)

Housing Index 78

Affordable

Median Income €13,000

Household income

Unemployment 10.0%

Job market health

Budva vs Montenegro Average

Cost of Living
Budva: 80
Montenegro Avg: 100
Housing Index
Budva: 78
Montenegro Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Budva: 9%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 9.0%
  • Sales Tax: 21.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: €13,000
  • Unemployment: 10.0%
  • Population: 19,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 260/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 40°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: €250,000
  • 1BR Rent: €700/mo

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Cost of Living

Budva's cost of living index is 80 (Montenegro average = 100).

CategoryBudvaNational AverageDifference
Overall80100-20.0%
Housing78100-22.0%

Data source: MONSTAT / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price€250,000
Median Rent (1BR)€700/mo
Median Rent (2BR)€875/mo
Price per Sq Ft€166

Data source: Nekretnine.me / Numbeo, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

%
$90,000 down
%
%

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Budva:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity€30
Heating & Cooling€60Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)€5Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water€15Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)€25Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities€135Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: REGAGEN, EPCG, Crnogorski Telekom 2025

Remote Work Score

Budva scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
80
Rent
€700
Sunny Days
260
Tax
9%
Unemployment
10.0%
Climate
88°F / 40°F
Safety
1.9 homicides/100k
Population
19,000
Internet Speed
60 Mbps

Climate

Budva has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January60°F40°F2.5"
April73°F55°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F58°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Budva faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Adriatic coast with wildfire risk.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Dinaric Alps with landslides.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Montenegro experiences winter storms.

Avalanche Moderate Risk

Dinaric Alps with avalanches.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 9%
  • Sales Tax: 21%
  • Property Tax: ~0.3% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 10.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Budva per 100,000 residents:

33.0
Violent Crime
115.4
Property Crime
1.9
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Eurostat

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Sep-Jan), Spring (Feb-Jun)
Summer Break June to September (12 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break March/April (1-2 weeks)

Standard academic calendar.

Demographics

The population of Budva is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Albanian
5.0%
Bosniak
9.0%
Montenegrin
45.0%
Other
12.0%
Serb
29.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
30.0%
High school graduate
30.0%
Less than high school
20.0%
Some college
20.0%

Religion

Christian (Catholic)
3.0%
Christian (Orthodox)
72.0%
Muslim
19.0%
Other
6.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Statistical Office of Montenegro (MONSTAT) (2021)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Budva, Montenegro?

The cost of living index in Budva is 80, which is Lower the Montenegro national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Budva?

The median home price in Budva is €250,000. The housing index is 78.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Budva is approximately €700/mo.

Does Budva, Budva have income tax?

Budva is in Budva, which has an income tax rate of 9%.

What is the climate like in Budva?

Budva enjoys approximately 260 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 40°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: MONSTAT / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Nekretnine.me / Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: MONSTAT Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities REGAGEN, EPCG, Crnogorski Telekom 2025

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.