Cost of Living in Chisinau - Updated Prices & Insights

42.28

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $591 (excluding rent), and $1,219 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,448 (excluding rent), and $2,421 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.55 MDL 145

$6.84 MDL 116

$14.25 MDL 241

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.96 MDL 609

$25.9 MDL 438

$69.1 MDL 1,169

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.72 MDL 131

$7.13 MDL 121

$8.91 MDL 151

Cappuccino

$1.89 MDL 31.99

$1.2 MDL 20.34

$3 MDL 50.8

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

$0.98 MDL 16.64

$0.72 MDL 12.26

$1.51 MDL 25.58

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.68 MDL 11.58

$0.48 MDL 8.12

$1.49 MDL 25.23

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.77 MDL 30.02

$1.19 MDL 20.07

$2.96 MDL 50.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.3 MDL 38.95

$1.72 MDL 29.13

$3.45 MDL 58.4

Milk (1 liter)

$1.25 MDL 21.12

$0.92 MDL 15.59

$1.73 MDL 29.33

White Bread (500g)

$0.52 MDL 8.74

$0.39 MDL 6.64

$0.84 MDL 14.25

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.45 MDL 24.57

$1.15 MDL 19.42

$2.29 MDL 38.84

Eggs

$2.49 MDL 42.08

$1.22 MDL 20.71

$3.14 MDL 53.1

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.55 MDL 179

$5.96 MDL 101

$20.87 MDL 353

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.39 MDL 91.3

$4.03 MDL 68.3

$5.83 MDL 98.6

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.6 MDL 146

$7.38 MDL 125

$11.18 MDL 189

Apples (1kg)

$0.85 MDL 14.38

$0.57 MDL 9.59

$1.14 MDL 19.34

Banana (1kg)

$1.81 MDL 30.59

$1.18 MDL 19.99

$2.95 MDL 49.9

Oranges (1kg)

$1.71 MDL 28.96

$1.15 MDL 19.47

$2.87 MDL 48.6

Tomato (1kg)

$2.13 MDL 36.11

$0.89 MDL 14.99

$3.24 MDL 54.8

Potato (1kg)

$0.76 MDL 12.87

$0.55 MDL 9.33

$1.06 MDL 17.86

Onion (1kg)

$0.55 MDL 9.32

$0.34 MDL 5.72

$1.13 MDL 19.12

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.36 MDL 23.09

$0.59 MDL 10.07

$3.18 MDL 53.8

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.82 MDL 13.92

$0.67 MDL 11.33

$1.12 MDL 18.94

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.24 MDL 54.9

$2.94 MDL 49.79

$4.12 MDL 69.7

Wine (Bottle)

$5.33 MDL 90.3

$3.56 MDL 60.2

$8.89 MDL 151

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.23 MDL 20.79

$0.87 MDL 14.75

$1.45 MDL 24.48

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.9 MDL 32.2

$1.37 MDL 23.12

$2.51 MDL 42.44

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.34 MDL 5.69

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.56 MDL 230

$23.18 MDL 392

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.01 MDL 34.01

$1.71 MDL 29.03

$3.44 MDL 58.2

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.25 MDL 4.19

$0.21 MDL 3.54

$0.49 MDL 8.37

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.14 MDL 87

$3.43 MDL 58.1

$6.86 MDL 116

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 MDL 23.87

$1.3 MDL 22

$1.47 MDL 24.9

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

$31.5K MDL 534.1K

$28.7K MDL 485.5K

$40.1K MDL 679.7K

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

$30.9K MDL 522.9K

$25.6K MDL 433.7K

$40.8K MDL 690K

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

$175 MDL 2,961

$119 MDL 2,010

$303 MDL 5,127

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

$7.32 MDL 124

$4.55 MDL 77.1

$11.2 MDL 190

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$10.79 MDL 183

$7.57 MDL 128

$14.57 MDL 247

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.15 MDL 747

$26.65 MDL 451

$118 MDL 2,005

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.74 MDL 368

$11.51 MDL 195

$34.53 MDL 585

Cinema Ticket

$7.83 MDL 133

$6.62 MDL 112

$9.03 MDL 153

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

$393 MDL 6,648

$294 MDL 4,975

$470 MDL 7,959

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,654 MDL 129.6K

$3,524 MDL 59.7K

$14.1K MDL 238.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$65.6 MDL 1,111

$34.91 MDL 591

$116 MDL 1,970

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.2 MDL 917

$23.55 MDL 399

$88.3 MDL 1,495

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$114 MDL 1,933

$71.1 MDL 1,204

$148 MDL 2,507

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$121 MDL 2,044

$80.6 MDL 1,365

$173 MDL 2,924

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$677 MDL 11.5K

$528 MDL 8,931

$952 MDL 16.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$471 MDL 7,967

$348 MDL 5,897

$589 MDL 9,975

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,242 MDL 21K

$933 MDL 15.8K

$2,068 MDL 35K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$803 MDL 13.6K

$626 MDL 10.6K

$1,155 MDL 19.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,294 MDL 38.8K

$1,723 MDL 29.2K

$3,445 MDL 58.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,663 MDL 28.1K

$1,187 MDL 20.1K

$2,076 MDL 35.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$708 MDL 12K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.24

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

City tags:

🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Chisinau - Frequently Asked Questions

Overall, Cost of Living in Chisinau, Moldova tends to be more accessible than many Western capitals, with comfortable housing options, affordable groceries, and a city layout that makes daily errands straightforward. For travelers, expats, and digital nomads, you’ll find reliable internet, a handful of well-equipped coworking spaces, and a pace that supports work and exploration without blowing your budget. Expect cheaper local markets for produce, straightforward transit, and a mix of cafes where you can work or meet neighbors. The key is choosing a neighborhood near the city center or university area to maximize value and convenience. Tip: Start your stay with a two-week exploration to map where you’ll find the best balance of prices, transport, and vibe.

Your housing search usually centers on renovated apartments in central districts or quieter residential areas a short tram ride from the core. Look for longer leases to lock in reasonable rates and clarify utilities, heating, and internet upfront. Food options range from fresh local markets to affordable cafés and casual eateries that keep meals budget-friendly. For getting around, buses, trolleys, and shared rides cover most routes, and the compact center means many places are walkable. Co-working spaces appear across several neighborhoods, making it easy to work nearby when you’re running errands. Chisinau, Moldova living cost stays steady as you establish a routine. Tip: map a few reliable transit lines and a weekend-market route.

Quality of life here blends affordable daily life with cultural richness. A practical budgeting framework helps: allocate roughly a third to housing, a third to living costs, and a final third to experiences and contingencies. Local markets and home cooking stretch meals, while occasional cafe outings offer social moments without overspending. Seasonality matters: winters bring heating needs and heavier clothing caches; summers invite outdoor events and lighter routines. Neighborhood fit depends on your rhythm: the busy center for nightlife and coworking, quieter residential belts for longer stays, or hillside zones for space and views. Tip: visit neighborhoods at different times of day to test safety, noise, and community feel.