Cost of Living in Chisinau - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $571 (excluding rent), and $1,240 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,430 (excluding rent), and $2,400 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.89 MDL 153

$7.11 MDL 123

$14.81 MDL 256

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$36.59 MDL 632

$26.35 MDL 455

$70.3 MDL 1,213

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.65 MDL 132

$7.07 MDL 122

$8.83 MDL 152

Cappuccino

$1.82 MDL 31.46

$1.16 MDL 20.01

$2.89 MDL 49.93

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

$0.93 MDL 16.09

$0.69 MDL 11.86

$1.43 MDL 24.73

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.69 MDL 11.99

$0.49 MDL 8.41

$1.51 MDL 26.13

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.79 MDL 30.87

$1.19 MDL 20.64

$2.98 MDL 51.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.41 MDL 41.53

$1.80 MDL 31.06

$3.61 MDL 62.3

Milk (1 liter)

$1.28 MDL 22.08

$0.94 MDL 16.30

$1.78 MDL 30.67

White Bread (500g)

$0.56 MDL 9.63

$0.42 MDL 7.32

$0.91 MDL 15.70

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.51 MDL 26.03

$1.19 MDL 20.57

$2.38 MDL 41.15

Eggs

$2.49 MDL 42.92

$1.22 MDL 21.12

$3.14 MDL 54.2

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.48 MDL 181

$5.92 MDL 102

$20.73 MDL 358

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.62 MDL 97.1

$4.20 MDL 72.6

$6.07 MDL 105

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.01 MDL 156

$7.73 MDL 134

$11.72 MDL 202

Apples (1kg)

$0.89 MDL 15.39

$0.59 MDL 10.26

$1.20 MDL 20.70

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 MDL 30.55

$1.16 MDL 19.97

$2.89 MDL 49.83

Oranges (1kg)

$1.72 MDL 29.67

$1.16 MDL 19.95

$2.88 MDL 49.80

Tomato (1kg)

$2.17 MDL 37.48

$0.90 MDL 15.56

$3.30 MDL 56.9

Potato (1kg)

$0.84 MDL 14.44

$0.61 MDL 10.47

$1.16 MDL 20.03

Onion (1kg)

$0.58 MDL 10.05

$0.36 MDL 6.17

$1.19 MDL 20.63

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.31 MDL 22.68

$0.57 MDL 9.89

$3.06 MDL 52.9

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.82 MDL 14.13

$0.67 MDL 11.50

$1.11 MDL 19.23

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.30 MDL 56.9

$2.99 MDL 51.6

$4.19 MDL 72.3

Wine (Bottle)

$5.18 MDL 89.4

$3.56 MDL 61.4

$7.10 MDL 123

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.23 MDL 21.23

$0.87 MDL 15.07

$1.45 MDL 25.00

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.97 MDL 33.98

$1.41 MDL 24.40

$2.59 MDL 44.79

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.34 MDL 5.79

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.44 MDL 232

$22.98 MDL 397

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.02 MDL 34.83

$1.72 MDL 29.74

$3.45 MDL 59.6

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.27 MDL 4.70

$0.23 MDL 3.98

$0.54 MDL 9.40

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.28 MDL 91.2

$3.52 MDL 60.8

$7.05 MDL 122

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.43 MDL 24.62

$1.31 MDL 22.69

$1.49 MDL 25.68

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

$32.2K MDL 555.4K

$29.2K MDL 504.9K

$40.9K MDL 706.9K

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

$30.7K MDL 530.8K

$25.5K MDL 440.3K

$40.6K MDL 700.4K

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

$170 MDL 2,939

$116 MDL 1,995

$295 MDL 5,088

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

$7.70 MDL 133

$4.79 MDL 82.7

$11.78 MDL 203

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$11.01 MDL 190

$7.73 MDL 133

$14.86 MDL 257

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.28 MDL 765

$26.72 MDL 462

$119 MDL 2,051

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.02 MDL 380

$11.66 MDL 201

$34.98 MDL 604

Cinema Ticket

$7.80 MDL 135

$6.60 MDL 114

$9.01 MDL 156

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

$388 MDL 6,700

$290 MDL 5,013

$464 MDL 8,021

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,588 MDL 131.0K

$3,494 MDL 60.3K

$14.0K MDL 241.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.7 MDL 1,151

$35.47 MDL 613

$118 MDL 2,042

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.0 MDL 915

$23.01 MDL 397

$86.3 MDL 1,491

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$114 MDL 1,977

$71.3 MDL 1,231

$148 MDL 2,564

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$124 MDL 2,137

$82.6 MDL 1,427

$177 MDL 3,057

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$654 MDL 11.3K

$510 MDL 8,808

$920 MDL 15.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$468 MDL 8,087

$347 MDL 5,985

$586 MDL 10.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,249 MDL 21.6K

$938 MDL 16.2K

$2,079 MDL 35.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$822 MDL 14.2K

$641 MDL 11.1K

$1,183 MDL 20.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,665 MDL 46.0K

$2,252 MDL 38.9K

$3,459 MDL 59.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,860 MDL 32.1K

$1,605 MDL 27.7K

$2,376 MDL 41.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$842 MDL 14.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.24

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

Last update: March 2, 2026

Chisinau Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

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.