Skyline of Novi Sad
Cost of Living: 78 341,000

Novi Sad, Serbia

Serbia's second-largest city, a cultural hub on the Danube known for the EXIT festival, Petrovaradin Fortress, and its charming old town.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Novi Sad is a city in Vojvodina with a population of 341,000. Serbia’s second-largest city, a cultural hub on the Danube known for the EXIT festival, Petrovaradin Fortress, and its charming old town. Housing is more affordable than the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. Reported crime rates are relatively low.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 78

Below Average vs Serbia Avg (100)

Housing Index 72

Affordable

Median Income RSD 1,050,000

Household income

Unemployment 8.5%

Job market health

Novi Sad vs Serbia Average

Cost of Living
Novi Sad: 78
Serbia Avg: 100
Housing Index
Novi Sad: 72
Serbia Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Novi Sad: 10%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 10.0%
  • Sales Tax: 20.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: RSD 1,050,000
  • Unemployment: 8.5%
  • Population: 341,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 215/year
  • Summer High: 82°F
  • Winter Low: 26°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: дин9,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: дин28000/mo

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Cost of Living

Novi Sad's cost of living index is 78 (Serbia average = 100).

CategoryNovi SadNational AverageDifference
Overall78100-22.0%
Housing72100-28.0%

Data source: RZS / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Priceдин9,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)дин28000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)дин35,000/mo
Price per Sq Ftдин6,000

Data source: CityExpert / Numbeo, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

дин
%
$90,000 down
%
%
дин

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Novi Sad:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricityдин5000
Heating & Coolingдин2688Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Waterдин2000Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)дин2000Broadband average
Garbage / Trashдин500Private service
Total Utilitiesдин12188Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: AERS, EPS, Telekom Srbija 2025

Remote Work Score

Novi Sad scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
78
Rent
дин28000
Sunny Days
215
Tax
10%
Unemployment
8.5%
Climate
82°F / 26°F
Safety
0.8 homicides/100k
Population
341,000
Internet Speed
80 Mbps

Climate

Novi Sad has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January46°F26°F2.5"
April67°F41°F2.8"
July82°F57°F1.5"
October62°F44°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Novi Sad faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding along Danube and Sava.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Mountainous region with landslides.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Serbia experiences winter storms.

Avalanche Moderate Risk

Mountainous region with avalanches.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 10%
  • Sales Tax: 20%
  • Property Tax: ~0.3% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 8.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Novi Sad per 100,000 residents:

85.0
Violent Crime
319.9
Property Crime
0.8
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-Dec), Spring (Jan-Jun)
Summer Break June to September (11 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break February (1 week)

Spring break is in February.

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1126
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University University of Novi Sad

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

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

Ethnicity

Hungarian
3.0%
Other
12.0%
Roma
2.0%
Serb
83.0%

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)
5.0%
Christian (Orthodox)
85.0%
Muslim
3.0%
Other
2.0%
Unaffiliated
5.0%

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 the Republic of Serbia (2022)

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 Novi Sad, Serbia?

The cost of living index in Novi Sad is 78, which is Lower the Serbia national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Novi Sad?

The median home price in Novi Sad is дин9,000,000. The housing index is 72.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Novi Sad is approximately дин28000/mo.

Does Novi Sad, Vojvodina have income tax?

Novi Sad is in Vojvodina, which has an income tax rate of 10%.

What is the climate like in Novi Sad?

Novi Sad enjoys approximately 215 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 82°F, while winter lows can drop to around 26°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: RZS / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: CityExpert / Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: RZS Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities AERS, EPS, Telekom Srbija 2025

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