Cost of Living in Bucharest - Updated Prices & Insights

55.86
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $710 (excluding rent), and $1,343 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,931 (excluding rent), and $3,005 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.04 RON 61
$9.35 RON 40.62
$28.06 RON 122
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.3 RON 301
$46.17 RON 200
$104 RON 451
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.86 RON 34.13
$6.74 RON 29.26
$10.11 RON 43.87
Cappuccino
$3.45 RON 14.99
$2.12 RON 9.21
$4.72 RON 20.51
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21 RON 9.61
$1.12 RON 4.85
$3.35 RON 14.54
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34 RON 10.16
$1.72 RON 7.45
$3.42 RON 14.85
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.43 RON 14.88
$2.29 RON 9.92
$5.49 RON 23.85
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.82 RON 16.58
$2.7 RON 11.7
$6.08 RON 26.38
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.74 RON 7.55
$1.14 RON 4.94
$2.5 RON 10.86
White Bread (500g)
$1.35 RON 5.85
$0.67 RON 2.91
$2.23 RON 9.69
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.93 RON 8.38
$1.42 RON 6.15
$2.84 RON 12.31
Eggs
$3.62 RON 15.74
$2 RON 8.68
$4.57 RON 19.86
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.3 RON 40.36
$6.31 RON 27.4
$13.07 RON 56.8
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.24 RON 31.45
$4.26 RON 18.5
$9.48 RON 41.15
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.27 RON 53.3
$8.33 RON 36.14
$18.5 RON 80.3
Apples (1kg)
$1.39 RON 6.04
$0.93 RON 4.03
$1.86 RON 8.06
Banana (1kg)
$1.78 RON 7.74
$1.41 RON 6.11
$2.81 RON 12.21
Oranges (1kg)
$1.83 RON 7.95
$1.18 RON 5.11
$2.82 RON 12.26
Tomato (1kg)
$2.4 RON 10.41
$1.35 RON 5.84
$4.49 RON 19.52
Potato (1kg)
$1.03 RON 4.48
$0.68 RON 2.94
$1.63 RON 7.07
Onion (1kg)
$1.02 RON 4.44
$0.71 RON 3.09
$1.66 RON 7.22
Lettuce (1 head)
$1 RON 4.34
$0.72 RON 3.12
$1.44 RON 6.24
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.89 RON 3.87
$0.66 RON 2.86
$1.34 RON 5.81
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.61 RON 28.71
$6.14 RON 26.67
$7.08 RON 30.76
Wine (Bottle)
$8.2 RON 35.59
$5.62 RON 24.42
$10.54 RON 45.74
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.28 RON 5.54
$0.94 RON 4.08
$1.88 RON 8.16
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94 RON 8.43
$1.36 RON 5.91
$2.95 RON 12.8
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.13 RON 4.91
$0.68 RON 2.94
$1.13 RON 4.91
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.71 RON 85.6
$18.55 RON 80.5
$23.19 RON 101
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.7 RON 3.06
$0.63 RON 2.75
$1.17 RON 5.09
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.62 RON 2.68
$0.53 RON 2.3
$0.82 RON 3.57
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.84 RON 29.71
$5.9 RON 25.62
$11.4 RON 49.48
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.66 RON 7.22
$1.59 RON 6.92
$1.82 RON 7.91
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.8K RON 125.2K
$25.4K RON 110.2K
$30.7K RON 133.2K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.6K RON 128.7K
$27.1K RON 117.8K
$33.9K RON 147.3K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$177 RON 770
$113 RON 490
$279 RON 1,212
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.09 RON 39.48
$3.52 RON 15.29
$17.63 RON 76.5
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.17 RON 48.48
$7.99 RON 34.7
$20.55 RON 89.2
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$53.3 RON 231
$33.97 RON 147
$90.6 RON 393
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.72 RON 129
$16.44 RON 71.4
$46.97 RON 204
Cinema Ticket
$9.38 RON 40.72
$7.74 RON 33.61
$11.72 RON 50.9
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$668 RON 2,900
$462 RON 2,007
$927 RON 4,026
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.3K RON 62.1K
$9,073 RON 39.4K
$27.1K RON 117.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.2 RON 357
$42.17 RON 183
$141 RON 610
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.35 RON 197
$23.14 RON 100
$69.4 RON 301
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.9 RON 390
$68.6 RON 298
$114 RON 497
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110 RON 477
$69.3 RON 301
$150 RON 651
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$645 RON 2,801
$454 RON 1,971
$911 RON 3,955
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$445 RON 1,932
$352 RON 1,526
$588 RON 2,552
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,328 RON 5,767
$915 RON 3,971
$2,638 RON 11.5K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$843 RON 3,658
$646 RON 2,803
$1,729 RON 7,508
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,529 RON 15.3K
$2,355 RON 10.2K
$4,543 RON 19.7K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,011 RON 8,729
$1,612 RON 7,001
$2,534 RON 11K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,359 RON 5,899
-
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.
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Cost of Living in Bucharest - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bucharest affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads compared to other European cities?
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.
What does daily life look like for someone settling in Bucharest, including housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
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.
What affects overall quality of life in Bucharest, and how should a traveler budget and plan to fit long-term stays?
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.
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