How many salaries does an apartment cost in 2026?

The data surprised even the experts.

In 2026, the real estate market in Sofia is marking historic record price levels. At first glance, it seems that buying your own home is becoming an increasingly unattainable dream. But is this really the case, or are fears of a “property bubble” distorting the facts?

An examination of long-term trends since 2007 reveals a surprising paradox: despite prices being at their highest, properties in the capital are actually more affordable than ever.

The most accurate way to assess housing affordability is by comparing the average price of a specific type of property with the minimum wage for the corresponding period. This analysis tracks the market development for a standard two-room apartment in Sofia (with an area of about 55-56 sq. m) over the last two decades.

| Timeline of affordability: From the 2007 bubble to today

To understand where we stand today, we need to go back to the peak of the property bubble before the great financial crisis. In 2007, the minimum wage in Bulgaria was barely around 90 euros per month. At the same time, the average price of a two-room apartment in the capital reached 66,000 euros. The math shows that purchasing such a property then required an astonishing 691 minimum wages. This was the period of the lowest housing affordability in our modern history.

After the subsequent economic shock, in 2009 the market began to correct. The price of two-room apartments fell to around 50,000 euros, while the minimum wage gradually rose to 120 euros. This balance reduced the required number of wages to 419.

Stabilization occurred around 2014 – at that time, property price levels held steady at about 50,000 euros, but income increased to 170 euros, making 290 wages necessary for one home.

In 2019, we witnessed a significant economic upturn. The minimum wage increased substantially to 285 euros. Property prices also responded with over a 50% rise, reaching an average of 79,000 euros. Interestingly, despite the price increase, affordability slightly improved, requiring 281 salaries.

| Trends in recent years (2022 – 2025)

The pandemic and post-pandemic years brought a new wave of inflation and changes. In 2022, the minimum wage was 330 euros, and the average price of a two-room apartment jumped to 113,000 euros, temporarily worsening the indicator to 313 salaries.

By 2024, the market entered a more balanced phase. With a minimum wage of 470 euros and an average property price of 116,000 euros, the index dropped to 247 salaries.

| The big surprise of 2026

We have now reached the current year 2026, which turns out to be the most interesting for analysts. Nominally, prices show a new significant increase – the average two-room apartment in Sofia is now traded for around 150,000 euros. At the same time, however, the minimum wage has also risen and now amounts to 620 euros.

The final result is surprising: today it takes only 241 minimum wages to acquire a home.

| Comparative Data Analysis

For better clarity of the processes, the table below shows the dynamics of the ratio between incomes and prices over the last 19 years:

What does the statistics tell us? Yes, it is a fact – real estate prices in Sofia are at their highest levels in 2026. But an equally important fact is that Bulgarians’ incomes have increased at similar rates.

For the period 2021-2026, average housing prices have increased by 83.2%, while wages have risen by about 86%. This means that household purchasing power has managed to keep pace with the rising property prices.

Is there a property bubble then? The short answer is no. A classic bubble is characterized by prices outpacing incomes to unsustainable levels. The market today in 2026 shows that despite record prices, income growth largely offsets the increase in housing costs. Therefore, market affordability remains relatively stable despite the significant rise in price levels.

It turns out that despite record prices, purchasing power relative to housing prices remains among the most favorable levels in the last two decades.

| Are you ready to take the next step?

Although statistics show that 2026 is the most economically advantageous time to buy in decades, the market requires an informed choice and careful planning. We at the real estate agency “New Home 1” are here to guide you through the entire process: from market analysis, through property selection and document preparation, to the successful completion of the deal.

Contact our experts for a free professional consultation and let’s find together the property that meets your long-term goals!