Returning from Australia to Bosnia and Herzegovina brought one man from Mostar an unpleasant surprise at gas stations and in stores.

According to his experience, gasoline is more expensive than in Australia, while food prices are roughly the same, with a big difference in wages.

As reported by N1 BiH in a report by author Tatjana Drljić, the interviewee returned from Australia 3 years ago and is still adjusting to life here. His statement is not a statistical comparison of the 2 countries, but it raises an understandable question: how much do the same groceries burden the household budget when they are bought with different salaries?

'We are getting used to life here, but prices are currently very similar to those in Australia. But salaries cannot be compared. Gasoline is very expensive, more expensive than in Australia. And food, when we convert the amounts from Australian dollars, costs almost the same,' said the interviewee.

Almost €8 more for the same tank

The increase in fuel prices could already be felt at every fill-up. According to data from the Federal Ministry of Trade reported by FENA, the average price of diesel in the Federation of BiH rose from 3.43 KM or about €1.75 to 3.74 KM, or €1.91 per liter, from the beginning of September to September 22. Gasoline in the same period rose from 3.06 KM or €1.56 to 3.31 KM or €1.69. For 50 liters of diesel, that means an additional 15.50 KM, or €7.93, without a single extra kilometer driven.

These data refer to the Federation of BiH and the stated period, and prices vary among stations.

At the same time, N1 states that the average price per square meter of new construction has exceeded 3,700 KM, which is about €1,892. At that price, an apartment of 60 m² would cost 222,000 KM, or approximately €113,507, without additional purchase and furnishing costs.

Bills are paid with a domestic salary

For the citizens of BiH, in the end it is less important whether certain products are more expensive in Mostar or in Australia than how much money they have left after basic expenses. That is why the returnee's comparison hits hardest precisely in the part about income. If food and fuel take up an ever larger share of the salary, there is less and less room for savings, car repairs, or an unexpected bill. And then every new price increase is paid for by giving up something else.