Last update: Oct 2026 Romania 144.3K

Cost of Living in Bacau

For one person, living costs in Bacau are estimated at $913 a month, including rent and utilities – 18% below the national average. Rent and utilities take about a third of the total.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Bacau

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Bacau actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $913 per month with rent, or $571 for everyday expenses alone.

$913 /mo

A couple spends around $1,548 per month with rent, or $1,124 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,548 /mo

A family of three spends around $2,182 per month with rent, or $1,677 without housing.

$2,182 /mo

Overall, Bacau is 23–32% below the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are well below average (48% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Currency
Do you live in Bacau? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.05 RON 66.5
$10.41 RON 49.27
$17.28 RON 81.8
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$85.1 RON 402
$46.78 RON 221
$85.7 RON 406
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.39 RON 34.96
$5.28 RON 24.98
$12.03 RON 56.9
Cappuccino
$1.98 RON 9.37
$1.45 RON 6.87
$3.12 RON 14.78
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94 RON 9.16
$1.23 RON 5.81
$3.09 RON 14.60
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.90 RON 8.97
$1.71 RON 8.09
$2.14 RON 10.13
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.48 RON 11.75
$2.07 RON 9.78
$4.14 RON 19.57
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16 RON 14.96
$2.45 RON 11.59
$4.49 RON 21.24
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.22 RON 5.76
$1.07 RON 5.04
$1.91 RON 9.02
White Bread (500g)
$0.65 RON 3.09
$0.50 RON 2.36
$1.60 RON 7.58
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.64 RON 7.74
$1.22 RON 5.79
$1.85 RON 8.76
Eggs
$3.39 RON 16.03
$1.49 RON 7.06
$4.96 RON 23.46
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.79 RON 36.87
$4.25 RON 20.09
$12.75 RON 60.3
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.43 RON 25.67
$4.01 RON 18.98
$6.34 RON 29.98
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.42 RON 39.86
$6.32 RON 29.89
$10.54 RON 49.87
Apples (1kg)
$1.14 RON 5.41
$0.86 RON 4.06
$1.49 RON 7.05
Banana (1kg)
$1.49 RON 7.06
$1.49 RON 7.06
$1.92 RON 9.09
Oranges (1kg)
$1.55 RON 7.32
$1.26 RON 5.98
$1.90 RON 9.00
Tomato (1kg)
$1.74 RON 8.24
$1.22 RON 5.79
$3.07 RON 14.54
Potato (1kg)
$0.72 RON 3.43
$0.43 RON 2.06
$1.29 RON 6.12
Onion (1kg)
$0.65 RON 3.07
$0.30 RON 1.44
$1.23 RON 5.82
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.76 RON 3.59
$0.54 RON 2.56
$1.09 RON 5.17
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68 RON 3.23
$0.41 RON 1.94
$1.02 RON 4.84
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.47 RON 25.87
$5.37 RON 25.39
$6.43 RON 30.44
Wine (Bottle)
$5.08 RON 24.02
$3.05 RON 14.42
$7.72 RON 36.51
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.94 RON 4.46
$0.61 RON 2.87
$1.61 RON 7.60
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.22 RON 5.78
$0.96 RON 4.53
$2.13 RON 10.06
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.74 RON 3.51
$0.74 RON 3.51
$0.85 RON 4.04
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$29.14 RON 138
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.62 RON 2.92
$0.62 RON 2.92
$0.74 RON 3.51
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.67 RON 3.17
$0.62 RON 2.92
$1.10 RON 5.20
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.08 RON 33.51
$3.44 RON 16.27
$7.28 RON 34.43
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.80 RON 8.50
$1.49 RON 7.05
$2.14 RON 10.15
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.9K RON 136.6K
$27.5K RON 130.1K
$28.9K RON 136.6K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.9K RON 117.9K
$24.0K RON 113.6K
$36.6K RON 173.4K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$106 RON 502
$63.7 RON 301
$213 RON 1,009
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.51 RON 35.53
$6.17 RON 29.20
$24.70 RON 117
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$4.83 RON 22.86
$4.30 RON 20.33
$8.59 RON 40.67
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.72 RON 122
$20.85 RON 98.7
$31.28 RON 148
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.83 RON 74.9
$10.56 RON 49.95
$21.11 RON 99.9
Cinema Ticket
$6.44 RON 30.45
$5.37 RON 25.40
$10.74 RON 50.8
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$591 RON 2,794
$422 RON 1,996
$738 RON 3,492
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,858 RON 23.0K
$4,135 RON 19.6K
$5,582 RON 26.4K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.9 RON 392
$41.43 RON 196
$114 RON 539
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.49 RON 149
$20.72 RON 98.0
$72.5 RON 343
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$59.6 RON 282
$41.10 RON 194
$123 RON 583
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.6 RON 395
$62.8 RON 297
$126 RON 595
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$400 RON 1,891
$287 RON 1,358
$512 RON 2,424
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$235 RON 1,113
$166 RON 783
$305 RON 1,443
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$546 RON 2,584
$462 RON 2,186
$630 RON 2,981
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$399 RON 1,889
$330 RON 1,562
$468 RON 2,216
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,818 RON 8,604
$1,818 RON 8,604
$1,818 RON 8,604
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,199 RON 5,673
$1,199 RON 5,673
$1,199 RON 5,673
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$933 RON 4,415
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.97
6.5
7.2

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Bacau $913
Accommodation & Living
$235
Eating Out
$192
Groceries & Markets
$176
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$118
Clothing & Footwear
$116
Sport & Entertainment
$39
Getting Around
$36

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $400, dropping to $235 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 43% of the average salary ($933) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $933. With monthly costs around $913, saving is possible but often limited. A more comfortable lifestyle typically starts at $1,369.

Groceries cost around $176 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $85.0 – above the European average of $73.0.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $29.14 – among the cheapest in Europe (average $49.00).

Cost Highlights

Internet is cheaper than 99% of cities in Europe

White bread is cheaper than 96% of cities in Europe

Gym membership is cheaper than 96% of cities in Europe

Good to know
🕒 Local time
18:53 6:53 PM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
144,307
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to RON – Romanian Leu Converter

Romanian Leu exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 4.73 RON (1 RON = 0.211 USD). 1 EUR = 5.32 RON (1 RON = 0.188 EUR).

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Bacau Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Bacau - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the overall affordability of Bacau, Romania stack up for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to find it good value?
Compared with Romania’s larger cities and many Western hubs, Bacau offers a calmer pace and simpler day-to-day costs. You’ll usually find housing, groceries, and everyday services stretch a bit farther when you choose older, well-connected neighborhoods and shop at local markets. For travelers, expats, and digital nomads on a budget, the city provides a solid balance of comfort and value, with opportunities to save through longer stays, shared housing, and sensible transit choices. It’s common to trade some metropolitan polish for accessibility and a slower tempo. Cost of Living in Bacau, Romania. Tip: Start with a short-term rental near essential services and reevaluate after a few weeks.
What does daily life look like in Bacau, Romania, including housing search, food options, transport, coworking, and errands?
Daily life in Bacau blends practical convenience with a touch of smaller-city charm. When searching for housing, look in Centru for proximity, or broader residential belts for quieter corners; expect straightforward contracts and a range of furnished options. Food-wise, local markets and bakeries offer fresh produce and ready meals that fit casual routines. Transport relies on buses and taxis, with rideshare apps expanding options for late evenings. Co-working spaces and cafés with reliable Wi‑Fi support remote work and social meetups. Bacau, Romania living cost is often gentler than bigger cities, helping you stretch a budget while you settle in. Tip: Start with a short-term rental near a coworking hub, then reassess after a month to fine-tune your daily routines.
How can you maximize quality of life in Bacau, Romania through budgeting, seasonality, and neighborhood fit?
Quality of life in Bacau comes from balancing routine with discovery. Build a simple budgeting framework by tracking housing, groceries, transport, and leisure, then adjust as seasons shift. In winter, heating and warm clothing can influence the budget; in summer, outdoor activities and markets create different opportunities. Neighborhood fit matters: Centru is walkable and convenient for services, while outlying areas offer quieter streets and more space. Practical savings come from cooking with seasonal produce, sharing accommodations when possible, and choosing longer stays to unlock better terms. Tip: Map a weekly routine that groups errands and transit to cut fuel and time, then review it after a couple of weeks.
How much of a salary does housing take in Bacau?
Housing in Bacau takes a heavy bite – about 43% of a typical income, which is above the 30% international benchmark. That squeezes the budget for everything else and is one of the main pain points for residents here.
How much does it cost to live in Bacau per month?
Plan for roughly $913 a month in Bacau if you're renting, or around $571 for non-housing expenses. That covers one person's basics: food, bills, getting around, and a modest social life. Couples and families will need more, especially for housing and childcare.
What salary is needed for a comfortable life in Bacau?
You'll want at least $1,369 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Bacau. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
What is the average rent for an apartment in Bacau?
A central one-bedroom apartment in Bacau runs about $400 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $235. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.
Is grocery shopping affordable in Bacau?
Groceries in Bacau are cheap – a single person spends about $176 per month. Local markets and budget supermarkets push costs even lower. Food is one of the city's strongest affordability points.
What is a monthly transit pass in Bacau?
Public transport in Bacau costs about $29.14 per month – usually unlimited rides on buses, metro, or trams within the main zone. Much cheaper than owning a car, and the practical choice for most residents.
Is $1,000 enough to live comfortably in Bacau?
$1,000 a month in Bacau? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $913, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.
How welcoming is Bacau to foreigners?
Bacau has an established expat community and is welcoming to foreigners. fast internet, low crime rates, vibrant nightlife smooth the transition, and English-speaking landlords, expat-focused healthcare, and international services are all reasonably accessible. Monthly costs average $913 including housing.
Is Bacau a cheap city to live in?
Bacau is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $913 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.

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