Cost of Living in Bucharest - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bucharest
Address: Bucharest, RO

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $719 (excluding rent), and $1,320 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,962 (excluding rent), and $2,906 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.01 RON 61.4

$9.34 RON 40.94

$28.01 RON 123

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$68.3 RON 299

$45.51 RON 200

$102 RON 449

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.93 RON 34.75

$6.79 RON 29.8

$10.19 RON 44.67

Cappuccino

$3.45 RON 15.11

$2.12 RON 9.28

$4.71 RON 20.67

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

$2.22 RON 9.73

$1.12 RON 4.91

$3.36 RON 14.72

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.31 RON 10.13

$1.69 RON 7.43

$3.38 RON 14.82

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.5 RON 15.35

$2.33 RON 10.23

$5.61 RON 24.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.85 RON 16.86

$2.71 RON 11.9

$6.12 RON 26.83

Milk (1 liter)

$1.8 RON 7.9

$1.18 RON 5.16

$2.59 RON 11.36

White Bread (500g)

$1.38 RON 6.04

$0.68 RON 3

$2.28 RON 9.99

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.93 RON 8.47

$1.42 RON 6.21

$2.83 RON 12.43

Eggs

$3.56 RON 15.6

$1.96 RON 8.6

$4.49 RON 19.68

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.32 RON 40.87

$6.33 RON 27.75

$13.1 RON 57.5

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.08 RON 31.05

$4.16 RON 18.26

$9.26 RON 40.63

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.26 RON 53.8

$8.31 RON 36.46

$18.47 RON 81

Apples (1kg)

$1.41 RON 6.18

$0.94 RON 4.12

$1.88 RON 8.23

Banana (1kg)

$1.73 RON 7.61

$1.37 RON 6

$2.74 RON 12

Oranges (1kg)

$1.8 RON 7.91

$1.16 RON 5.08

$2.78 RON 12.19

Tomato (1kg)

$2.41 RON 10.59

$1.35 RON 5.94

$4.52 RON 19.84

Potato (1kg)

$1.04 RON 4.56

$0.68 RON 3

$1.64 RON 7.2

Onion (1kg)

$1.01 RON 4.43

$0.7 RON 3.09

$1.64 RON 7.2

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.94 RON 4.12

$0.68 RON 2.96

$1.35 RON 5.92

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.87 RON 3.84

$0.65 RON 2.84

$1.31 RON 5.75

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.31 RON 27.68

$5.86 RON 25.71

$6.76 RON 29.66

Wine (Bottle)

$7.86 RON 34.47

$5.61 RON 24.61

$10.1 RON 44.3

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.21 RON 5.33

$0.89 RON 3.92

$1.79 RON 7.84

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2 RON 8.77

$1.4 RON 6.14

$3.04 RON 13.31

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.17 RON 5.12

$0.7 RON 3.07

$1.17 RON 5.12

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.38 RON 85

$18.24 RON 80

$22.8 RON 100

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.7 RON 3.09

$0.63 RON 2.77

$1.17 RON 5.15

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.62 RON 2.71

$0.53 RON 2.32

$0.82 RON 3.61

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.06 RON 30.98

$6.09 RON 26.72

$11.77 RON 51.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.64 RON 7.2

$1.57 RON 6.9

$1.8 RON 7.88

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

$28.3K RON 123.9K

$24.9K RON 109.1K

$30.1K RON 131.9K

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

$30.4K RON 133.5K

$27.9K RON 122.2K

$34.8K RON 152.8K

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

$177 RON 778

$113 RON 495

$279 RON 1,224

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

$9.07 RON 39.76

$3.51 RON 15.4

$17.57 RON 77.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$11.29 RON 49.51

$8.08 RON 35.44

$20.78 RON 91.1

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$54.4 RON 238

$34.68 RON 152

$92.5 RON 406

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$29.7 RON 130

$16.43 RON 72

$46.93 RON 206

Cinema Ticket

$9.11 RON 39.93

$7.51 RON 32.95

$11.38 RON 49.9

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

$660 RON 2,896

$457 RON 2,004

$917 RON 4,021

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.3K RON 62.7K

$9,060 RON 39.7K

$27.1K RON 118.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$79.3 RON 348

$40.71 RON 179

$136 RON 595

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.3 RON 199

$23.11 RON 101

$69.3 RON 304

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.9 RON 390

$67.9 RON 298

$113 RON 496

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 RON 473

$68 RON 298

$147 RON 646

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$663 RON 2,910

$467 RON 2,047

$937 RON 4,108

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$436 RON 1,911

$344 RON 1,510

$576 RON 2,524

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,328 RON 5,824

$914 RON 4,010

$2,637 RON 11.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$851 RON 3,730

$652 RON 2,858

$1,746 RON 7,655

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,607 RON 15.8K

$2,293 RON 10.1K

$4,585 RON 20.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,106 RON 9,234

$1,601 RON 7,020

$2,809 RON 12.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,365 RON 5,986

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.1

5.5

9.33

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

Last update: November 25, 2025

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Cost of Living in Bucharest - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Bucharest, Romania offers a comparative edge for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Western-style comforts share space with local markets, so you can balance comfort with cost. Neighborhoods near the historic center and business districts provide easy access to cafés, coworking spaces, and transit, while outer areas often offer quieter streets and lower rents for longer stays. Housing options range from short-term lets to longer leases, letting you calibrate risk and value without overcommitting. Public transport is reliable and affordable, making day trips practical without a car. Tip: test a few neighborhoods by living like a local for a week before renewing.

Understanding Bucharest, Romania living cost helps you plan daily life from groceries to transit. Housing search tends to work best with a mix of online portals and in-person inquiries, plus longer leases to secure better terms. Central districts offer quick access to cafés, coworking spaces, and nightlife, while quieter neighborhoods farther from the core balance peace with a slower pace. Food can be affordable at neighborhood markets and casual eateries, or pricier in tourist areas. Public transit is practical for errands and weekend explorations; cycling is growing, with bike lanes expanding in several axes. Tip: spend a few days exploring on foot or by bike to gauge convenience and character.

Quality of life in Bucharest comes from balance: a stable home base, predictable routines, and accessible culture. Build a light budgeting framework with three buckets: housing, groceries and meals, and activities or coworking. Seasonality shapes daily life – hot summers make siestas in shaded courtyards appealing, while chilly winters encourage cozy cafés and reliable heating. To find your fit, visit a few districts on different days and note walkability, noise levels, and green space. Embrace the network: local markets, language-friendly services, and mixed-use neighborhoods make daily life smoother for long stays. Tip: trial a couple of neighborhoods during both workdays and weekends before deciding.