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.
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.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.9KRON 136.6K
$27.5KRON 130.1K
$28.9KRON 136.6K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.9KRON 117.9K
$24.0KRON 113.6K
$36.6KRON 173.4K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$106RON 502
$63.7RON 301
$213RON 1,009
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.51RON 35.53
$6.17RON 29.20
$24.70RON 117
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$4.83RON 22.86
$4.30RON 20.33
$8.59RON 40.67
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.72RON 122
$20.85RON 98.7
$31.28RON 148
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.83RON 74.9
$10.56RON 49.95
$21.11RON 99.9
Cinema Ticket
$6.44RON 30.45
$5.37RON 25.40
$10.74RON 50.8
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$591RON 2,794
$422RON 1,996
$738RON 3,492
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,858RON 23.0K
$4,135RON 19.6K
$5,582RON 26.4K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.9RON 392
$41.43RON 196
$114RON 539
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.49RON 149
$20.72RON 98.0
$72.5RON 343
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$59.6RON 282
$41.10RON 194
$123RON 583
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.6RON 395
$62.8RON 297
$126RON 595
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$400RON 1,891
$287RON 1,358
$512RON 2,424
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$235RON 1,113
$166RON 783
$305RON 1,443
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$546RON 2,584
$462RON 2,186
$630RON 2,981
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$399RON 1,889
$330RON 1,562
$468RON 2,216
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,818RON 8,604
$1,818RON 8,604
$1,818RON 8,604
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,199RON 5,673
$1,199RON 5,673
$1,199RON 5,673
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$933RON 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.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Bacau$913
Bacau$2,182
🏠Accommodation & Living
$235 25.8%
🍽Eating Out
$192 21.1%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$176 19.3%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$118 13%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$116 12.7%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$39 4.2%
🚌Getting Around
$36 4%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$399 18.3%
🍽Eating Out
$818 37.5%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$415 19%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$126 5.8%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$258 11.8%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$93 4.3%
🚌Getting Around
$74 3.4%
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
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
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.