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Sofia
#49 of 124
Europe

Sofia

Bulgaria

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Sofia compare to San Francisco?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Sofia is 38% worse off vs in San Francisco

This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Sofia compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.

Median Salary
$46,880
-$226K (-83%) vs San Francisco
Based on 180 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$39,614
-$133K (-77%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 16%

Community Insights

New

Sofia represents a classic geo-arbitrage opportunity for software engineers. While the city ranks significantly lower on infrastructure and pollution indices compared to Western European hubs, the financial trade-off is immense. A software engineer in Sofia often enjoys a higher disposable income than peers in London or Berlin due to the low cost of living and favorable tax environment. It is a city of contrasts: modern tech offices and hipster cafes sit next to crumbling Soviet-era blocks. For those who can overlook the grit and winter smog, it offers a lifestyle of financial freedom and outdoor adventure.

Resident Sentiment

The consensus among tech transplants is largely positive regarding finances but mixed on livability. Residents frequently boast about being able to buy property and eat out daily on a single salary—a feat impossible in many other capitals. However, there is a recurring theme of frustration regarding the "winter gloom" caused by smog and grey weather. Long-term residents often develop a love-hate relationship, appreciating the freedom and community but lamenting the slow pace of municipal improvements.

The Good

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

A quick look at climate, safety, pollution, and tech community compared to San Francisco.

Rankings

Tax Rate

Top 10%

#13

of 124 cities

16%

Current value (lower is better)

Cost of Living

Top 23%

#29

of 124 cities

33/100

Current value (lower is better)

Home Affordability

Middle of the pack

#47

of 124 cities

≈6.7 yrs to buy 80m²

Current value

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Sofia compared to San Francisco?

Avg. Property Price
$3,324 / m²
67% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Sofia to maintain the same standard of living.

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Cost of Living
63% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Sofia

Broadcom logo
Broadcom
Uber logo
Uber
DraftKings logo
DraftKings
High purchasing power for software engineers; local IT salaries allow for a luxurious lifestyle compared to Western Europe.
  • Extremely competitive tax rates (flat tax system) which significantly boosts net income.
  • Fast and cheap internet, consistently ranked among the best in the world.
  • Proximity to Vitosha Mountain, offering hiking and skiing less than an hour from the city center.
  • Vibrant and growing tech ecosystem with many international product companies and startups.
  • Walkable city center full of history, cafes, and parks.
  • Strong English proficiency among the younger population and within the tech sector.

    • The Bad

    • Severe air pollution, especially during winter months due to solid fuel heating and geography.
    • Poor infrastructure maintenance including broken sidewalks, potholes, and crumbling facades.
    • Bureaucracy can be slow, paper-based, and difficult to navigate without Bulgarian language skills.
    • Driving culture is often described as aggressive and chaotic.
    • Smoking is still prevalent in many outdoor areas and semi-enclosed spaces compared to other EU capitals.
    • Limited flight connections compared to major European hubs, often requiring layovers.

    The Verdict

    You'll love it if...

    The value-focused developer who wants to maximize savings without sacrificing city amenities. It is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who want mountains on their doorstep and early-career professionals looking to fast-track their financial goals. Expats who enjoy a "rough around the edges" charm and don't mind navigating some chaotic elements will thrive here.

    Skip it if...

    People with respiratory issues or high sensitivity to air quality should avoid Sofia, particularly in winter. Those who demand pristine infrastructure, strict adherence to rules, and polished urban aesthetics (like in Zurich or Munich) will likely find the city frustrating. It is also not suitable for those who expect a fully English-speaking environment outside of the tech bubble/city center.

    Updated 11/29/2025

    Weather4.1/10-53% vs San Francisco
    Safety61+55%
    Pollution68+38%
    Events0-100%
    4.1/10TechCities weather score vs 8.7/10 in San Francisco

    0–10 composite (higher is better) combining temperature comfort, sunshine hours, rainy-day count, and humid days. See methodology for weighting and data sources.

    Weather snapshot

    Average High
    16°C(vs 19°C in San Francisco)
    Average Low
    5°C(vs 12°C in San Francisco)
    Sunshine Hours
    2,177h/yr-885h/yr(-29%)
    Hottest Month High
    28°C(vs 22°C in San Francisco)
    Coldest Month Low
    -5°C(vs 8°C in San Francisco)
    Rainy Days
    66/yr+17/yr(+36%)

    Community & Quality

    Sofia community pulse

    Sofia has 0 Luma events listed.

    100% fewer events than San Francisco.

    Purchasing Power

    Middle of the pack

    #49

    of 124 cities

    Safety Index

    Middle of the pack

    #51

    of 124 cities

    61.2/100

    Current value

    Comfortable Weather

    Middle of the pack

    #69

    of 124 cities

    41/100 weather score

    Current value

    Net Income

    Middle of the pack

    #81

    of 124 cities

    $39,614/yr

    Current value

    Pollution Score

    Bottom 22%

    #98

    of 124 cities

    68/100

    Current value (lower is better)

    Community Events

    Bottom 4%

    #120

    of 124 cities

    0 events on luma

    Current value

    SWE Affordability
    6.7 years
    2.1 years longer than San Francisco
    Muggy Days
    1/yr(same as San Francisco)
    Cloud Cover
    39%(vs 34% in San Francisco)