One person realistically needs €1,800–2,800 a month in Limassol and €1,200–1,800 in Larnaca or Nicosia. The main difference is rent: it makes up half the budget and varies twofold between cities.
Rent: 2026 benchmarks
| City | 1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|
| Limassol | €1 000–1 600 | €1 400–2 500 |
| Nicosia | €600–700 | €800–1 000 |
| Larnaca | €500–815 | €700–1 275 |
| Paphos | €500–1 000 | €700–1 300 |
According to the Council of Estate Agents, rent growth stalled in 2026: supply grew as flats moved from short-term to long-term letting. New seafront builds in Limassol remain more expensive, with one-bedroom flats from €1,500.
Utilities and communications
- Electricity in a flat: €30–60 in winter, €80–120 in summer with air conditioning. In a house, €200–400 in summer is easy.
- Water: €20–30 in a flat, €30–50 in a house. Bills come every 4 months.
- Refuse charge: €120–220 a year per household.
- Communal charges (koina): €50–150 a month depending on the building.
- 200 Mbps internet: €20–33 a month. Unlimited mobile: €15–22.
- A 10 kg gas cylinder: €13–16.
Groceries and eating out
- Groceries for one person: €250–300 cooking at home, €300–400 with cafes.
- Milk €1.62 a litre, bread €1.72, chicken breast €7.81 a kilo, a cappuccino €3.36.
- Lunch at a taverna around €15, dinner for two around €60, a beer €4–5.
- A weekly shop for a family of three: €150–200 at Alphamega or €110–130 combining Lidl with the markets.
Transport and the rest
- 95 octane petrol: €1.44–1.52 a litre.
- A monthly bus pass: €45–93.60 depending on the operator.
- Third-party car insurance: €170–300 a year; fully comprehensive €357–753.
- A gym: around €68 a month.
- A private kindergarten: €340–600 a month. An international school: €5,000–15,000 a year.
Total budget
| Who | Nicosia / Larnaca | Limassol |
|---|---|---|
| One person | €1 200–1 800 | €1 650–2 800 |
| A family of four | €2 950–4 650 | €4 350–7 500 |