Cost of Living in Cyprus

Written by Luis Minvielle Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Luis Minvielle

Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: September 26, 2025

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2026

The cost of living in Cyprus (the EU-administered section) is approximately €880 per month for a single person, excluding rent, but costs vary depending on the location. In Nicosia, the capital, living costs average €880, while in Limassol—known for its beaches, luxury, and higher prices—they average about €950. Families of four that choose public childcare and education can expect to spend €3,100 each month, but housing and location mean everything. In this article, we’ll break down the costs of living in Cyprus (EU part) so that you can determine your budget and plan ahead.

How expensive is it to live in Cyprus?

Living in Cyprus is not that expensive, as it is on par with the European average. A single person might spend €880 monthly plus €900 for a rental flat. If you’re looking to relocate with your family, then expect €3,100 for living expenses plus €1,700 for rent, if you send your kids to public school.

The quality of life is high, as is the purchasing power of inhabitants. It is a very attractive destination for expats and tourists. However, sometimes prices for expats can be higher, especially if you’re looking to obtain English-based services. But a bit of cultural integration will take you a long way and make living in Cyprus an incredibly rewarding (and financially affordable) experience.

Most expensive cities in Cyprus

According to Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index, these three cities are among the most expensive in Cyprus:

• Limassol: Limassol is Cyprus’s most expensive city to live in. It’s a seafront city, home to the Cyprus Medieval Museum and various other cultural gems from Neolithic, Roman, Cypriot, Greek, and international origins. If you want to relocate here, you can expect the costs of living to be €950 (excluding rent) for a single person, and €3,370 for a family of four (excluding private education).
• Nicosia: Nicosia is the divided capital city of Cyprus. The cost of living in Nicosia averages at €880 monthly for a single person, excluding rent, and €3,100 for a family of four (if you choose public education).
• Larnaca: The costs of living in a main city like Larnaca are relatively low compared to Limassol and Nicosia. For a single person, it amounts to around €830, excluding rent, and families of four can expect to spend €2,950 (excluding private education).

The following cities come with a lower cost of living:

• Famagusta: Unlike Nicosia and the other Cypriot cities listed here, Famagusta is under full administration of the Turkish side. Famagusta is known for its beautiful beaches and the Varosha suburb ghost town. If you want to live here, Livingcost.org suggests you can expect €650 of monthly living costs and €1,940 for a family of four, excluding rent and private care, and education.
• Paphos: The birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite is also one of Cyprus’s cheapest places to live, according to Numbeo. The estimated monthly costs for a single person are €840 and €2,980 for a family of four, excluding rent and private education.

Cost of Living in Cyprus vs the UK

The cost of living in Cyprus is generally more affordable than living in the United Kingdom—if you have non-Cypriot wages, that is. The Cypriot average monthly living costs for a single person are €880 (excluding rent), compared to the UK’s €960 average, or €3,100 vs. €3,270 for a family of four if they choose public childcare and education. Bear in mind that Cypriots earn an average of around €2,100 monthly after tax, while Britons earn significantly more at £2,985 (equivalent to €3,434), or around £2,400 net.

If we do a quick comparison of each country’s capital city, Larnaca is way more affordable than London. In London, you’d be spending €1,200 excluding rent, but in the Cypriot capital, this would be €840—that’s a whopping ~42% difference!

Since London prices are a bit too far-fetched, even for a capital city, for now, let’s just focus on comparing the national averages of each country when it comes to everyday items:

Cost of Living in Cyprus vs the US

The cost of living in Cyprus is relatively inexpensive compared to the biggest cities in the United States (think New York City, L.A., or Chicago), considering you earn more than the average Cypriot. A single person living in the US would usually spend around €1,000 per month, not counting rent, and a family of four could expect €3,600 in costs. That’s quite a big jump from where Cyprus stands—and even more than London!—typically between €880 and €3,270 per month depending on household size.

But, as you’ll be guessing, US prices are vastly different depending on state and city. So, of course, you can expect that cities like New York, Honolulu, or San Francisco will be much more expensive than Cyprus. Instead, let’s take a look at the costs on a national level:

Rent per month in Cyprus

Rent costs in Cyprus are primarily dependent on property size, location, as well as supply and demand fluctuations. According to a July research report from the Landbank Group real estate agents, the average monthly rent for a flat in Cyprus is €1,800, while houses stand at €3,250 per month. Properties along the coast or in the city centre are pricier, while inland or suburban options are more accessible. This makes the rent costs of Limassol some of the priciest, due to the luxurious beaches and high demand. Tourist locations like Paphos also drive rent costs up. On the other hand, Larnaca offers fairer prices and a more complete array of amenities, like schools, healthcare, transport, and the airport. Let’s have a look at what you can expect per city:

Apart from renting, it’s also common for expats to buy properties in Cyprus. For instance, owning a holiday home is certainly an attractive prospect. And for foreigners looking for a permanent residency in Cyprus, hear this: if you purchase a property with a minimum value of €300,000 (excluding VAT), you can request the Cyprus Golden Visa, which also promises many EU benefits. Still, be careful about renting on the side that is controlled by Turkey, as disagreements from the conflict could, very hypothetically and in a worst-case scenario, make a lending agreement less valid or null. You can’t be too careful.

How to find a flat in Cyprus

In Cyprus, you can find a flat using real estate portals, websites, and real estate agents. After you have determined what region you want to live in and what kind of accommodation you’d like to rent out, the next step is to check property listings or locate a realtor. Once you have found a suitable accommodation, you should arrange a viewing to make sure everything is as you expected and that it works properly. And if you want to take on the property, do negotiate the terms of rental and determine details such as duration of lease, amount of deposit, utilities, and maintenance fees. Here we’ve categorised the most popular methods for finding a property:

Website listings

Using rental platforms is a popular way of browsing rental listings. However, be aware that not every post might be authentic.

• Bazaraki.com
• home.cy
• Zyprus
• Viotopo
• Facebook Marketplace and other groups for apartment hunting in Cyprus

Real estate agents

Partnering with a realtor is one of the best ways to make the house-hunting process less stressful. With their help and extra services like reviewing contracts, you can feel more at ease taking this important step toward moving. They know the local market well and can help you with negotiations, and some are specialised in dealing with foreigners. However, do your research and ask potential realtors about their commission and brokerage fees before making a decision. These are a few well-known agencies:

• Plus Wise Estates
• Paliren Casa Ltd.
• Foytina Real Estate Agency
• FOX Smart Estate Agency
• RE/MAX Cyprus
• Home.cy (a very large real estate marketplace website)

Word of mouth and on-site searching

Despite the various listing platforms, many offers don’t always show up online. If you have the chance to visit Cyprus and meet or befriend some locals, take the chance to ask if they know of available places.

There are a few things you should keep in mind when it comes to differences in rental contracts between the South and North of Cyprus. In the South, rental contracts are generally in Greek, but it’s common to obtain English translations. The process is quite formal, so registration with the local authorities is necessary if you’re staying for over 3 months, and for longer stays, EU citizens will need a “Yellow Slip” residence permit. The deposit will usually be between 1 and 2 months’ rent.

A common but arguable opinion is that it’s better to stick to the EU-administered portion of the island. The housing process in the North is less formalised, and expats must keep an eye open for risks. Common rental disputes may impact you if the property is affected by the unresolved land ownership claims of the 1974 conflict. This is especially important if you’re considering moving to Famagusta. Hiring a real estate lawyer or broker would be a smart idea to help you sidestep potential hazards. And speaking of legalities, the legal system is based on Turkish and British law. In the North, the deposit will typically be 1 month's rent.

Utilities and internet

If you live in the EU part of Cyprus, you can expect utility costs to be around €200 per month, for a family of four, and an additional €25.00 for internet. Let’s break down each:

Water supply and sewage

The bill for water supply is progressive, and it includes a fixed amount, a maintenance fee, and costs per actual consumption. Taking Limassol as a point of reference, the fixed charge would be €16.00, the maintenance fee €6.00, and the consumption charges are progressive, for example, €0.90 for 1–40 cubic meters up to €5.00 for 121 and over cubic meters of water used. These values are the August 2025 rates from the Limassol Water Board, representative of a four-month period.

Sewage fees depend on the estimated value of your property, not the market value. There is also a usage fee of €0.64 per cubic metre of water consumption, but this fee is charged through your water bill. A (not so) fun fact: bear in mind that the sewage system in Cyprus might be a bit finicky. Many houses and establishments have poor plumbing infrastructure, so they do not flush toilet paper down the toilet, unlike most European countries. Save yourself some grace and dispose of your toilet paper in the accompanying bin instead.

Electricity

According to the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority, domestic use consumers can expect €3.67/kWh monthly, so for a family of four, that would be around €50–€60 monthly. There is also another rate you can choose, which prices nighttime energy costs cheaper than those during the day. This is especially beneficial if you tend to turn heaters and other appliances off at night. You should bear in mind that your electricity bill in summer will likely rise, due to cooling costs. Also bear in consideration that for heating during the cool winter months, you can use either electricity or gas.

Gas

In Cyprus, there are no centralised gas pipelines, so inhabitants rely on gas cylinders for cooking and some heating. The deposit for a gas cylinder will be around 40, and refills generally cost around €10–€20. Consider that a cylinder will typically last you between 2–3 months.

Waste disposal

Starting in 2025, a “pay-as-you-throw” system was applied to waste disposal in Cyprus. With this approach, you only pay for the amount of organic waste you dispose of. For households, this means paying €150–€250 annually, which includes fixed charges and special waste bags. It’s a relatively new system that received a lot of backlash, but was put in place to reduce Cyprus’s high household waste output, which is currently ranked 5th in the EU.

Internet

In Southern Cyprus, the average monthly costs for 200 Mbps internet packages are between €20 and €30, with higher speeds or unlimited options costing €40–€50 or more. Some popular companies are Cablenet, CYTA, Epic, and Primetel.

Cost of groceries and eating out

In Cyprus, groceries will typically cost €250–€350 monthly per person, depending on how much you consume and the market you choose. Local markets are generally more affordable, since they offer fresh produce. Mid-range supermarket stores like Lidl are a good option for those looking for more variety and discounted brand goods. Other big supermarkets like AlphaMega offer even more variety, but might be pricier. All in all, these are some average grocery prices:

• Milk (1 litre): ~ €1.63
• Fresh bread (white): ~ €1.76
• Eggs (12): ~ €3.76
• Local cheese (1kg): ~ €12.14
• Chicken fillets (1kg): ~ €8.00
• Apples (1kg): ~ €2.73
• Tomatoes (1kg): ~ €2.80
• Rice (1kg): ~ €2.56
• Water (1.5L bottle): ~ €0.96
• Bottle of mid-range wine: ~ €7.00

Eating out

Besides the remarkable beaches and cultural history, don’t pass up on Cyprus’s delicious cuisine that blends Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern flavours. If you decide to go out, you can expect these prices:

• A casual lunch menu at a café or bistro: €15
• Fast food meal (e.g. McDonald’s): ~ €8
• Dinner at a mid-range restaurant (three courses for two): ~ €60
• Coffee (regular cappuccino): ~ €3.41
• Domestic beer (0.5L draught): ~ €5

Typical Cypriot cuisine is very meat-based, so enjoy souvla, kleftiko, souvlaki, koupes, koupepia stuffed grape leaves, with a good side of halloumi cheese.

Transportation costs

The best way to get around the island is by car, since there are no trains or a metro in Cyprus. Nevertheless, it is definitely doable to travel with public transport in Southern Cyprus, since it has a much more developed transport system than the North. The South has good urban and intercity buses, which are modern, usually on time, and keep standardised fares despite being run by different companies depending on the district. The Cyprus By Bus website puts all the information together:

City bus fares

City bus prices within a city or city suburb are relatively affordable, especially when it comes to the monthly passes, compared to countries like France.

Intercity bus fares

Intercity bus fares are vastly different depending on which cities you’re travelling to and from. The most expensive connections are from Paphos to Paralimni and from Nicosia to Paphos, which run at €7–€9 for one-way tickets and €130–€170 for a monthly package. Other than that, prices tend to be around €4–€5 for one-way tickets or €70–€100 monthly.

Mobile phone plans

In Cyprus, the main mobile phone plan companies are Epic, CYTA, and Cablenet. Depending on the provider, you can have a fixed subscription or a pay-as-you-go model. Standard fixed subscriptions of unlimited data and unlimited minutes/SMS generally stand at €20 monthly and cheaper packages with capped gigabytes and minutes/SMS stand at around €5–€10.

Childcare and education

In Cyprus, 28% of the income of an average couple will be spent on childcare costs, and the educational costs greatly vary depending on whether you choose the public system or private International/English schools. Compulsory education lasts for 10 years and 4 months and starts when your child is 4 years and 8 months (pre-primary education) till 15 years of age (end of lower secondary education).

Pre-Primary education is compulsory and free for children aged 4 years and 5 months and above. Within the public system, the fee for younger children aged between 3 and 4 and 5 is €42.00 monthly, but financial support is available, such as subsidies. This tuition and feeding subsidy scheme is also available for community pre-primary schools, which define their own fees. Community kindergartens can cost between €150 and €170 monthly, and private ones €150–€1,000, depending on the hours, location, program, and services offered. Many expats choose private education because public and community options are only in Greek.

For primary education, there are free public schools across the island and private schools that appeal to expats. Public schools are in Greek, but most provide after-school Greek lessons to help those students who do not master the language. Some also teach English as a foreign language. Many private schools offer English bilingual education, follow the British curriculum or the International Baccalaureate, and range from €2,350 to nearly €60,000 to cover six years.

While public secondary schools in Cyprus remain free, private secondary school prices are hefty and varied, as they can run from €20,000 up to €133,000 across 7 years. Also, bear in mind the variable extra cost of registration fees, supplies, meals, insurance, and uniforms.

Health insurance and medical expenses

Cyprus’ healthcare quality is overall good compared to the EU average (it even receives medical tourism), but it suffers from shortages and long waiting times, especially during the packed summer months. The public healthcare system operates in Greek, but you can access English-speaking doctors and faster appointments through private care—at a cost, of course. To access the public healthcare system, you must register with the General Healthcare System (GESY) after becoming a registered resident, or present your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if you’re a tourist needing urgent care. It’s important to note that you will not receive these benefits when obtaining healthcare on the Turkish side of Cyprus.

According to an OECD Health Statistics report, the Cypriot government invests less in healthcare than in other EU countries, which means that healthcare is not entirely free. Under this co-payment system, many patients typically pay 30.6% of the total costs for care, medicines, and services out-of-pocket.

If you have an EHIC card, you can expect to pay the following amount out-of-pocket for the following services:

• €3 for a visit to a general practitioner
• €6 for a visit to a specialist (it is highly recommended that you visit a specialist once you obtain a referral from your GP; otherwise, the visit will be much more expensive)
• €0.50 for each prescribed pharmaceutical product, capped at €10 per prescription
• €0.50 for each laboratory test, capped at €10 per test prescription form

Gym memberships and fitness

Gym memberships in Cyprus are quite expensive; they range from €50 to €70 per month. Some Redditors are so fed up with these prices that they suggest investing in their own gym equipment instead, or working out outside:

Gyms are 50 EUR a month. I ended up buying a secondhand cable machine and free weights; it felt like a better investment than a gym. 

You can find smaller gyms that have better deals, but if it's really out of your way, it doesn't seem worth it. You can check in January; they might have deals for New Year's resolutions or something.

Another suitable alternative is to download fitness apps that can guide you to complete your own workout. For example, Welltech—which is based in Limassol—offers accessible yoga, muscle training, and walking fitness applications and personalised training plans.

Is Cyprus more expensive than other European countries for expats?

Cyprus is mostly on par with other European countries. According to Eurostat, Cyprus is a mere 7.2 points lower (cheaper) than the EU average for final household expenditures. This means that:

• At €883 per month per person (excluding rent), Cyprus is cheaper than the Netherlands, France, and the Nordic countries.
• For example, the cost of living in Denmark amounts to €1,094 for a single person (excluding rent) and €1,700–€2,500 in France. So Cyprus is roughly 25% cheaper, depending on how you measure it, than Denmark.
• However, Cyprus does not beat its Greek and Turkish neighbours, nor other Balkan countries, in terms of being scrappy and cheap.

As you can see, the overall cost of living in Cyprus is fairly affordable. Some products, like dairy, can be more expensive than the EU average, and other categories, such as rent and fresh produce, can be cheaper. What mostly determines the price is which city you choose to live in, what your lifestyle is, and which institution you send your kids to.