Cost of Living in Chisinau - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $584 (excluding rent), and $1,213 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,478 (excluding rent), and $2,396 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.97 MDL 154

$7.18 MDL 123

$14.96 MDL 256

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$37.05 MDL 634

$26.68 MDL 457

$71.1 MDL 1,218

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.40 MDL 127

$6.83 MDL 117

$8.54 MDL 146

Cappuccino

$1.89 MDL 32.35

$1.20 MDL 20.57

$3.00 MDL 51.3

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

$0.91 MDL 15.58

$0.67 MDL 11.48

$1.40 MDL 23.94

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.70 MDL 12.00

$0.49 MDL 8.42

$1.53 MDL 26.16

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.71 MDL 29.34

$1.15 MDL 19.62

$2.86 MDL 48.96

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.30 MDL 39.40

$1.72 MDL 29.47

$3.45 MDL 59.1

Milk (1 liter)

$1.27 MDL 21.79

$0.94 MDL 16.09

$1.77 MDL 30.27

White Bread (500g)

$0.52 MDL 8.95

$0.40 MDL 6.80

$0.85 MDL 14.59

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.46 MDL 25.07

$1.16 MDL 19.82

$2.32 MDL 39.64

Eggs

$2.53 MDL 43.24

$1.24 MDL 21.28

$3.19 MDL 54.6

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.48 MDL 179

$5.92 MDL 101

$20.73 MDL 355

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.37 MDL 92.0

$4.02 MDL 68.8

$5.80 MDL 99.4

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.87 MDL 152

$7.61 MDL 130

$11.53 MDL 197

Apples (1kg)

$0.90 MDL 15.38

$0.60 MDL 10.26

$1.21 MDL 20.69

Banana (1kg)

$1.84 MDL 31.53

$1.20 MDL 20.61

$3.00 MDL 51.4

Oranges (1kg)

$1.77 MDL 30.25

$1.19 MDL 20.34

$2.97 MDL 50.8

Tomato (1kg)

$2.16 MDL 36.99

$0.90 MDL 15.35

$3.28 MDL 56.2

Potato (1kg)

$0.78 MDL 13.39

$0.57 MDL 9.70

$1.08 MDL 18.57

Onion (1kg)

$0.58 MDL 9.96

$0.36 MDL 6.12

$1.19 MDL 20.45

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.35 MDL 23.19

$0.59 MDL 10.11

$3.16 MDL 54.1

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.82 MDL 14.10

$0.67 MDL 11.47

$1.12 MDL 19.18

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.25 MDL 55.7

$2.95 MDL 50.5

$4.13 MDL 70.7

Wine (Bottle)

$4.84 MDL 82.8

$3.62 MDL 62.0

$7.25 MDL 124

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.27 MDL 21.71

$0.90 MDL 15.41

$1.49 MDL 25.56

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.94 MDL 33.21

$1.39 MDL 23.84

$2.56 MDL 43.76

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 MDL 6.24

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.85 MDL 237

$23.68 MDL 405

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.06 MDL 35.29

$1.76 MDL 30.13

$3.53 MDL 60.4

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.25 MDL 4.28

$0.21 MDL 3.62

$0.50 MDL 8.55

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.33 MDL 91.3

$3.56 MDL 60.9

$7.12 MDL 122

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.37 MDL 23.49

$1.26 MDL 21.64

$1.43 MDL 24.49

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

$32.1K MDL 550.3K

$29.2K MDL 500.3K

$40.9K MDL 700.4K

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

$31.5K MDL 538.6K

$26.1K MDL 446.7K

$41.5K MDL 710.7K

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

$175 MDL 2,989

$119 MDL 2,030

$302 MDL 5,176

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

$7.61 MDL 130

$4.73 MDL 81.0

$11.65 MDL 199

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$10.80 MDL 185

$7.58 MDL 130

$14.57 MDL 250

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.34 MDL 742

$26.15 MDL 448

$116 MDL 1,990

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.11 MDL 379

$11.71 MDL 200

$35.12 MDL 601

Cinema Ticket

$7.68 MDL 131

$6.50 MDL 111

$8.86 MDL 152

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

$388 MDL 6,640

$290 MDL 4,968

$464 MDL 7,949

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,616 MDL 130.4K

$3,507 MDL 60.0K

$14.0K MDL 240.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.9 MDL 1,110

$34.51 MDL 591

$115 MDL 1,969

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.9 MDL 923

$23.42 MDL 401

$87.8 MDL 1,504

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$112 MDL 1,920

$69.8 MDL 1,195

$145 MDL 2,490

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$125 MDL 2,140

$83.5 MDL 1,429

$179 MDL 3,062

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$657 MDL 11.2K

$512 MDL 8,764

$924 MDL 15.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$468 MDL 8,013

$346 MDL 5,930

$586 MDL 10.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,222 MDL 20.9K

$918 MDL 15.7K

$2,035 MDL 34.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$813 MDL 13.9K

$634 MDL 10.8K

$1,169 MDL 20.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,706 MDL 46.3K

$2,259 MDL 38.7K

$3,517 MDL 60.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,851 MDL 31.7K

$1,598 MDL 27.4K

$2,130 MDL 36.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$820 MDL 14.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.24

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

Chisinau Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

233

Mbps

206

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 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.