Cost of Living in Bucharest - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Bucharest
Address: Bucharest, RO

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $732 (excluding rent), and $1,322 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,958 (excluding rent), and $2,977 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$13.60 RON 59.6

$9.06 RON 39.69

$27.19 RON 119

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$69.3 RON 303

$46.17 RON 202

$104 RON 455

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.95 RON 34.80

$6.81 RON 29.84

$10.21 RON 44.73

Cappuccino

$3.40 RON 14.88

$2.09 RON 9.14

$4.65 RON 20.35

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

$2.30 RON 10.06

$1.16 RON 5.07

$3.48 RON 15.22

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.30 RON 10.06

$1.68 RON 7.38

$3.36 RON 14.71

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.35 RON 14.68

$2.23 RON 9.79

$5.37 RON 23.53

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.84 RON 16.81

$2.71 RON 11.87

$6.11 RON 26.75

Milk (1 liter)

$1.78 RON 7.80

$1.16 RON 5.10

$2.56 RON 11.22

White Bread (500g)

$1.40 RON 6.14

$0.70 RON 3.05

$2.32 RON 10.16

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.93 RON 8.44

$1.42 RON 6.20

$2.83 RON 12.40

Eggs

$3.69 RON 16.14

$2.03 RON 8.90

$4.65 RON 20.37

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.44 RON 41.33

$6.41 RON 28.06

$13.27 RON 58.1

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.09 RON 31.06

$4.17 RON 18.27

$9.28 RON 40.64

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.31 RON 53.9

$8.35 RON 36.59

$18.56 RON 81.3

Apples (1kg)

$1.41 RON 6.18

$0.94 RON 4.12

$1.88 RON 8.24

Banana (1kg)

$1.72 RON 7.52

$1.35 RON 5.93

$2.71 RON 11.85

Oranges (1kg)

$1.84 RON 8.06

$1.18 RON 5.18

$2.84 RON 12.43

Tomato (1kg)

$2.50 RON 10.93

$1.40 RON 6.13

$4.68 RON 20.48

Potato (1kg)

$1.01 RON 4.42

$0.66 RON 2.90

$1.59 RON 6.97

Onion (1kg)

$1.00 RON 4.40

$0.70 RON 3.06

$1.63 RON 7.15

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.00 RON 4.36

$0.72 RON 3.14

$1.43 RON 6.27

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.94 RON 4.14

$0.70 RON 3.06

$1.42 RON 6.21

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.54 RON 28.66

$6.08 RON 26.62

$7.01 RON 30.71

Wine (Bottle)

$7.91 RON 34.64

$5.42 RON 23.75

$11.30 RON 49.49

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.22 RON 5.36

$0.90 RON 3.94

$1.80 RON 7.88

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 RON 8.53

$1.36 RON 5.97

$2.96 RON 12.94

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.17 RON 5.11

$0.70 RON 3.07

$1.17 RON 5.11

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.93 RON 87.3

$18.76 RON 82.2

$23.45 RON 103

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.67 RON 2.91

$0.60 RON 2.62

$1.11 RON 4.85

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.65 RON 2.83

$0.55 RON 2.42

$0.86 RON 3.77

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.11 RON 31.15

$6.13 RON 26.87

$11.85 RON 51.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.69 RON 7.42

$1.62 RON 7.11

$1.86 RON 8.13

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

$28.9K RON 126.7K

$25.5K RON 111.5K

$30.8K RON 134.8K

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

$30.6K RON 133.9K

$28.0K RON 122.6K

$35.0K RON 153.3K

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

$180 RON 787

$114 RON 501

$283 RON 1,239

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

$8.94 RON 39.14

$3.46 RON 15.16

$17.32 RON 75.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$11.16 RON 48.89

$7.99 RON 34.99

$20.54 RON 90.0

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$53.9 RON 236

$34.37 RON 151

$91.6 RON 401

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$29.53 RON 129

$16.33 RON 71.6

$46.66 RON 204

Cinema Ticket

$9.43 RON 41.31

$7.78 RON 34.09

$11.79 RON 51.6

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

$654 RON 2,865

$453 RON 1,983

$908 RON 3,978

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.5K RON 63.6K

$9,201 RON 40.3K

$27.5K RON 120.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$80.3 RON 352

$41.22 RON 181

$137 RON 602

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.00 RON 197

$22.96 RON 101

$68.9 RON 302

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.8 RON 393

$68.6 RON 300

$114 RON 501

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 RON 471

$67.7 RON 297

$147 RON 643

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$655 RON 2,871

$461 RON 2,020

$925 RON 4,053

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$429 RON 1,880

$339 RON 1,485

$567 RON 2,483

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,350 RON 5,911

$929 RON 4,071

$2,680 RON 11.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$831 RON 3,642

$637 RON 2,790

$1,706 RON 7,474

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,145 RON 18.2K

$3,210 RON 14.1K

$5,351 RON 23.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,281 RON 9,989

$1,952 RON 8,548

$2,939 RON 12.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,467 RON 6,427

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: January 13, 2026

Bucharest Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

315

Mbps

273

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🇪🇺 Europe

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.