Cost of Living in Chisinau - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $588 (excluding rent), and $1,214 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,478 (excluding rent), and $2,445 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.56 MDL 144

$6.85 MDL 115

$14.27 MDL 240

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$37.16 MDL 624

$26.76 MDL 449

$71.4 MDL 1,197

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.7 MDL 129

$7.11 MDL 119

$8.89 MDL 149

Cappuccino

$1.86 MDL 31.18

$1.18 MDL 19.82

$2.95 MDL 49.48

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

$0.93 MDL 15.57

$0.68 MDL 11.47

$1.43 MDL 23.92

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.68 MDL 11.46

$0.48 MDL 8.04

$1.49 MDL 24.98

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.77 MDL 29.62

$1.18 MDL 19.8

$2.95 MDL 49.43

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 MDL 38.31

$1.71 MDL 28.65

$3.42 MDL 57.5

Milk (1 liter)

$1.29 MDL 21.67

$0.95 MDL 15.99

$1.79 MDL 30.1

White Bread (500g)

$0.53 MDL 8.87

$0.4 MDL 6.73

$0.86 MDL 14.45

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.51 MDL 25.41

$1.2 MDL 20.09

$2.39 MDL 40.18

Eggs

$2.59 MDL 43.38

$1.27 MDL 21.35

$3.26 MDL 54.7

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.25 MDL 172

$5.79 MDL 97.2

$20.27 MDL 340

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.39 MDL 90.4

$4.03 MDL 67.6

$5.82 MDL 97.7

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.62 MDL 145

$7.39 MDL 124

$11.21 MDL 188

Apples (1kg)

$0.88 MDL 14.82

$0.59 MDL 9.88

$1.19 MDL 19.94

Banana (1kg)

$1.75 MDL 29.4

$1.15 MDL 19.22

$2.86 MDL 47.96

Oranges (1kg)

$1.77 MDL 29.66

$1.19 MDL 19.94

$2.97 MDL 49.78

Tomato (1kg)

$2.16 MDL 36.2

$0.9 MDL 15.03

$3.28 MDL 55

Potato (1kg)

$0.83 MDL 13.89

$0.6 MDL 10.07

$1.15 MDL 19.27

Onion (1kg)

$0.55 MDL 9.3

$0.34 MDL 5.71

$1.14 MDL 19.1

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.29 MDL 21.68

$0.56 MDL 9.45

$3.01 MDL 50.5

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.82 MDL 13.83

$0.67 MDL 11.25

$1.12 MDL 18.81

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.24 MDL 54.3

$2.93 MDL 49.24

$4.11 MDL 69

Wine (Bottle)

$5.34 MDL 89.7

$3.56 MDL 59.7

$7.71 MDL 129

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.26 MDL 21.15

$0.89 MDL 15.01

$1.48 MDL 24.91

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 MDL 33.26

$1.42 MDL 23.88

$2.61 MDL 43.84

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 MDL 6.09

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.6 MDL 228

$23.25 MDL 390

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.01 MDL 33.69

$1.71 MDL 28.76

$3.44 MDL 57.7

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.25 MDL 4.15

$0.21 MDL 3.51

$0.49 MDL 8.3

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.38 MDL 90.2

$3.59 MDL 60.2

$7.17 MDL 120

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.43 MDL 24.04

$1.32 MDL 22.15

$1.49 MDL 25.07

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

$31.5K MDL 529.1K

$28.7K MDL 481K

$40.1K MDL 673.4K

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

$30.9K MDL 518.5K

$25.6K MDL 430.1K

$40.8K MDL 684.2K

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

$171 MDL 2,865

$116 MDL 1,945

$296 MDL 4,960

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

$7.59 MDL 127

$4.72 MDL 79.2

$11.62 MDL 195

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$10.9 MDL 183

$7.65 MDL 128

$14.72 MDL 247

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.68 MDL 733

$26.36 MDL 442

$117 MDL 1,966

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.88 MDL 367

$11.59 MDL 194

$34.75 MDL 583

Cinema Ticket

$7.5 MDL 126

$6.34 MDL 106

$8.65 MDL 145

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

$394 MDL 6,614

$295 MDL 4,949

$472 MDL 7,918

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,571 MDL 127K

$3,486 MDL 58.5K

$13.9K MDL 234K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$65 MDL 1,091

$34.61 MDL 581

$115 MDL 1,936

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54 MDL 907

$23.49 MDL 394

$88.1 MDL 1,478

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$115 MDL 1,925

$71.4 MDL 1,199

$149 MDL 2,497

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$122 MDL 2,051

$81.6 MDL 1,369

$175 MDL 2,934

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$658 MDL 11K

$513 MDL 8,612

$926 MDL 15.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$470 MDL 7,881

$348 MDL 5,833

$588 MDL 9,868

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,224 MDL 20.5K

$919 MDL 15.4K

$2,037 MDL 34.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$823 MDL 13.8K

$641 MDL 10.8K

$1,184 MDL 19.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,537 MDL 42.6K

$1,794 MDL 30.1K

$3,539 MDL 59.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,699 MDL 28.5K

$1,446 MDL 24.3K

$2,054 MDL 34.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$767 MDL 12.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.24

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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🇪🇺 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.