Compare countries · Bulgaria vs Turkey
Bulgaria vs Turkey
Across 13 comparable indicators: Bulgaria leads on 7, Turkey on 4, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Bulgaria cheaper than Turkey?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Bulgaria at 41.6 and Turkey at 39.2. Turkey is about 6% cheaper overall.
Is Bulgaria or Turkey safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Bulgaria scores 1.63 and Turkey scores 2.60. Bulgaria ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Bulgaria or Turkey?
On the UN Human Development Index, Bulgaria scores 0.845 and Turkey scores 0.853. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Bulgaria compared to Turkey?
GNI per capita runs $17,780 in Bulgaria against $16,300 in Turkey; people live 75.8 years on average against 77.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 58 against 71. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Bulgaria
41.6
Around the global middle
Turkey
39.2
Better than 58% of countries
Turkey: 6% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Bulgaria
11.1
Better than 68% of countries
Turkey
13.3
Around the global middle
Bulgaria: 17% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Bulgaria
1.63
Better than 84% of countries
Turkey
2.60
Worse than 83% of countries
Bulgaria: more peaceful (1.63 vs 2.60).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Bulgaria
64.5
Better than 70% of countries
Turkey
58.5
Better than 59% of countries
Bulgaria: higher perceived safety (64.5 vs 58.5).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Bulgaria
0.845
Better than 71% of countries
Turkey
0.853
Better than 74% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Bulgaria
$44,451
Better than 72% of countries
Turkey
$45,288
Better than 73% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Bulgaria
75.8 yrs
Better than 57% of countries
Turkey
77.4 yrs
Better than 66% of countries
Turkey: 1.6 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Bulgaria
58.3
Worse than 67% of countries
Turkey
71.3
Better than 73% of countries
Turkey: better-rated healthcare (71.3 vs 58.3).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Bulgaria
94 Mbps
Around the global middle
Turkey
78 Mbps
Worse than 61% of countries
Bulgaria: 21% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Bulgaria
60/100
Better than 60% of countries
Turkey
28/100
Worse than 91% of countries
Bulgaria: freer press (60 vs 28 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Bulgaria
5.70
Worse than 58% of countries
Turkey
5.30
Worse than 64% of countries
Bulgaria: happier on the Cantril ladder (5.70 vs 5.30).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Bulgaria
594
Better than 80% of countries
Turkey
488
Worse than 62% of countries
Bulgaria: stronger English proficiency (594 vs 488).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Bulgaria
81.2
Around the global middle
Turkey
90.0
Better than 75% of countries
Turkey: more pleasant climate rating (90.0 vs 81.2).
Deciding between Bulgaria and Turkey for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Bulgaria profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Turkey profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.