Cost of Living in Bender - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $485 (excluding rent), and $701 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $887 (excluding rent), and $1,378 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.58 MDL 144

$3.43 MDL 57.6

$14.3 MDL 240

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.35 MDL 291

$69.4 MDL 1,165

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6 MDL 101

$9 MDL 151

Cappuccino

$1.11 MDL 18.64

$0.77 MDL 13

$2.98 MDL 49.93

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.93 MDL 15.58

$0.68 MDL 11.48

$1.43 MDL 23.94

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.53 MDL 8.85

$0.45 MDL 7.56

$1.4 MDL 23.48

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.96 MDL 16.09

$2.98 MDL 50

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.1 MDL 35.2

$1.79 MDL 30.05

$3.59 MDL 60.3

Milk (1 liter)

$0.92 MDL 15.36

$0.91 MDL 15.19

$1.7 MDL 28.59

White Bread (500g)

$0.5 MDL 8.45

$0.36 MDL 6.04

$0.9 MDL 15.18

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.46 MDL 24.55

$1.16 MDL 19.41

$2.31 MDL 38.82

Eggs

$1.89 MDL 31.72

$1.24 MDL 20.81

$3.18 MDL 53.4

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.19 MDL 70.3

$20.95 MDL 352

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.18 MDL 70.1

$3.5 MDL 58.7

$5.89 MDL 98.9

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.02 MDL 84.2

$4.59 MDL 77

$11.29 MDL 189

Apples (1kg)

$0.75 MDL 12.6

$0.6 MDL 10.01

$1.2 MDL 20.2

Banana (1kg)

$1.81 MDL 30.45

$1.19 MDL 19.9

$2.96 MDL 49.67

Oranges (1kg)

$1.7 MDL 28.61

$1.15 MDL 19.23

$2.86 MDL 48.01

Tomato (1kg)

$1.64 MDL 27.52

$0.9 MDL 15.14

$3.3 MDL 55.4

Potato (1kg)

$0.76 MDL 12.78

$0.55 MDL 9.26

$1.06 MDL 17.73

Onion (1kg)

$0.55 MDL 9.29

$0.34 MDL 5.7

$1.42 MDL 23.79

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.32 MDL 22.2

$0.59 MDL 9.98

$3.18 MDL 53.4

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.75 MDL 12.53

$0.63 MDL 10.55

$1.15 MDL 19.29

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.89 MDL 48.54

$4.05 MDL 68

Wine (Bottle)

$2.62 MDL 44

$7.57 MDL 127

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.75 MDL 12.51

$0.59 MDL 9.94

$1.49 MDL 25.02

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.6 MDL 26.78

$1.08 MDL 18.14

$2.65 MDL 44.4

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.34 MDL 5.64

$0.28 MDL 4.67

$0.39 MDL 6.6

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$4.14 MDL 69.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.09 MDL 18.22

$1.03 MDL 17.24

$3.43 MDL 57.6

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.27 MDL 4.58

$0.23 MDL 3.87

$0.56 MDL 9.33

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.2 MDL 20.13

$7.2 MDL 121

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.43 MDL 24.03

$1.32 MDL 22.14

$1.79 MDL 30.03

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$17.2K MDL 289.3K

$40.2K MDL 674.9K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$17.8K MDL 298.2K

$40.1K MDL 673.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$176 MDL 2,946

$119 MDL 2,000

$304 MDL 5,101

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$7.41 MDL 124

$4.6 MDL 77.2

$14.38 MDL 241

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$8.03 MDL 135

$7.45 MDL 125

$14.33 MDL 240

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$23.25 MDL 390

Cinema Ticket

$2.28 MDL 38.23

$8.54 MDL 143

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$384 MDL 6,444

$287 MDL 4,822

$460 MDL 7,715

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,671 MDL 128.7K

$3,532 MDL 59.3K

$14.1K MDL 237.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$11.52 MDL 193

$115 MDL 1,932

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.37 MDL 443

$23.44 MDL 393

$87.9 MDL 1,475

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$114 MDL 1,908

$70.8 MDL 1,188

$147 MDL 2,475

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$120 MDL 2,018

$80.3 MDL 1,348

$172 MDL 2,888

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$222 MDL 3,731

$146 MDL 2,447

$299 MDL 5,016

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$96 MDL 1,611

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$316 MDL 5,304

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$225 MDL 3,770

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$269 MDL 4,518

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.24

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

Last update: December 2, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Bender - Frequently Asked Questions

For many travelers and remote workers, Bender offers practical value without sacrificing access to essentials. Housing, groceries, and services typically come at a more relaxed tempo than larger urban centers, enabling a comfortable lifestyle on a flexible budget. The town’s pace supports you to focus on work, leisure, and local culture, with riverfront strolls and market days adding daily charm. Seasonal shifts influence leisure choices and casual expenses, but you generally trade big-city prices for steadier routines. Cost of Living in Bender, Moldova is a solid baseline for planning longer stays that prioritize quality of life over flash. Tip: Build a simple monthly plan that covers rent, utilities, food, and transport.

Daily life in Bender unfolds with accessible basics and a friendly local rhythm. Your housing search benefits from a mix of older apartment blocks and smaller newer units, often within easy reach of the river and town center. Food options range from affordable markets to casual eateries where you can taste local ingredients without overspending. For transport, walking and cycling cover most needs, with occasional bus options for longer trips. If you work remotely, consider cafés with reliable Wi-Fi or a small coworking setup; amenities are pragmatic and user-friendly. Bender, Moldova living cost informs your shopping and travel choices. Tip: Start by checking the same neighborhoods for housing and groceries to compare convenience.

Quality of life in Bender comes from a blend of pace, access to services, and a sense of community. Use a simple budgeting framework: list essentials (rent, food, utilities) and discretionary items (dining out, activities), then set realistic caps for each category. Seasonality affects energy use and outdoor activities, so have flexible plans for cooler months and sunny days. Neighborhood fit matters: central areas offer quick access to markets and cafés, while quieter outskirts provide space and greener walks. Take time to sample local markets, join a language exchange, and prioritize safety and connectivity. Tip: keep a small emergency fund and track one monthly trend to refine your plan.