Budgeting Guide
The Real Cost of Living in Cyprus: A Detailed Breakdown (2025)
One of the most pressing questions for any aspiring expat is, "How much will it cost to live there?" While Cyprus is generally more affordable than many Northern European countries or the UK, costs can vary significantly depending on your lifestyle and, crucially, your chosen city. This CyExpats.com guide provides a realistic look at the numbers to help you budget for your new life.
💡 Want a personalized budget? Use our interactive Cost of Living Calculator to estimate your monthly expenses based on your lifestyle and city choice.
The Main Factor: Your biggest expense by far will be accommodation. Rental prices in Limassol are significantly higher than in Paphos, Larnaca, or Nicosia. Choosing your city wisely will have the largest impact on your overall cost of living.
Estimated Monthly Budgets (Excluding School Fees)
These are estimated monthly budgets for a moderate lifestyle. Your actual spending will vary.
Estimated Monthly Cost of Living (Excl. Rent)
When you factor in rent, the total picture changes dramatically:
- Single Person: €1,500 - €2,500+ per month (depending heavily on city and apartment cost).
- Couple: €2,200 - €3,500+ per month.
- Family of Four: €3,500 - €5,500+ per month (this excludes private school fees, which can be a major additional expense).
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Let's look at the average prices for common expenses across the island.
| Expense Category | Average Cost (€) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (Monthly Rent) | |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment (City Centre) | €900 - €1,500+ (Limassol is highest) |
| 3-Bedroom Apartment (City Centre) | €1,600 - €3,000+ |
| Utilities (Monthly) | |
| Basic (Electricity, Water, Heating, Garbage) for 85m² apt. | €150 - €250 (higher in summer due to A/C) |
| Internet (60+ Mbps Fibre) | €30 - €50 |
| Groceries (Selected Items) | |
| Milk (1 litre) | €1.70 |
| Loaf of Fresh Bread | €1.80 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | €8.00 |
| Local Cheese (Halloumi, 1kg) | €12.00 |
| Bottle of Mid-Range Wine | €7.00 |
| Transportation | |
| Petrol (1 litre) | €1.45 - €1.55 |
| City Bus (Single Ticket) | €2.00 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | €5.00 |
| Leisure & Entertainment | |
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | €15 - €20 |
| Three-Course Meal for 2 (Mid-range Restaurant) | €60 - €80 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | €3.50 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught) | €3.00 - €4.00 |
| Cinema Ticket (1 seat) | €10.00 |
| Monthly Gym Fitness Club | €50 - €70 |
🧮 Drill Deeper Into Your Budget
Use our specific calculators to fine-tune your financial planning:
- Estimate your housing costs with the Rental Cost Calculator.
- Predict your monthly power bill with the Electricity Bill Calculator.
- Plan your transport spending with the Car Ownership & Costs Calculator.
Private Schooling
This is a major expense for many expat families. Fees vary by school and age group, but you should budget approximately **€6,000 to €15,000 per child, per year** for a reputable private international school.
City vs. City: Rental Price Comparison
To illustrate the biggest variable in your budget, here's how average rental prices compare across the main cities.
Average Monthly Rent (2-Bedroom Apartment)
Data Source: The information presented is aggregated from user-contributed data on platforms like Numbeo and reflects market trends for 2025. Prices are illustrative and subject to change.