Cost of Living in Chisinau - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $587 (excluding rent), and $1,224 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,474 (excluding rent), and $2,470 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.88 MDL 151

$7.11 MDL 121

$14.80 MDL 252

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$36.72 MDL 626

$26.44 MDL 451

$70.5 MDL 1,202

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.66 MDL 130

$7.07 MDL 121

$8.84 MDL 151

Cappuccino

$1.82 MDL 30.94

$1.15 MDL 19.68

$2.88 MDL 49.11

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

$0.97 MDL 16.47

$0.71 MDL 12.14

$1.49 MDL 25.31

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.70 MDL 11.89

$0.49 MDL 8.34

$1.52 MDL 25.92

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.76 MDL 30.01

$1.18 MDL 20.07

$2.94 MDL 50.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 MDL 40.41

$1.77 MDL 30.22

$3.56 MDL 60.6

Milk (1 liter)

$1.25 MDL 21.28

$0.92 MDL 15.70

$1.73 MDL 29.55

White Bread (500g)

$0.56 MDL 9.52

$0.42 MDL 7.23

$0.91 MDL 15.51

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.49 MDL 25.47

$1.18 MDL 20.13

$2.36 MDL 40.27

Eggs

$2.60 MDL 44.37

$1.28 MDL 21.84

$3.29 MDL 56.0

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.46 MDL 178

$5.91 MDL 101

$20.68 MDL 352

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.45 MDL 92.8

$4.07 MDL 69.4

$5.88 MDL 100

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.78 MDL 150

$7.53 MDL 128

$11.41 MDL 194

Apples (1kg)

$0.86 MDL 14.64

$0.57 MDL 9.76

$1.16 MDL 19.69

Banana (1kg)

$1.82 MDL 31.00

$1.19 MDL 20.27

$2.97 MDL 50.6

Oranges (1kg)

$1.73 MDL 29.44

$1.16 MDL 19.80

$2.90 MDL 49.41

Tomato (1kg)

$2.10 MDL 35.78

$0.87 MDL 14.85

$3.19 MDL 54.4

Potato (1kg)

$0.76 MDL 12.97

$0.55 MDL 9.41

$1.06 MDL 18.00

Onion (1kg)

$0.58 MDL 9.89

$0.36 MDL 6.07

$1.19 MDL 20.30

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.31 MDL 22.41

$0.57 MDL 9.77

$3.06 MDL 52.2

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.90 MDL 15.37

$0.73 MDL 12.51

$1.23 MDL 20.90

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.29 MDL 56.1

$2.99 MDL 50.9

$4.18 MDL 71.3

Wine (Bottle)

$4.64 MDL 79.1

$3.48 MDL 59.4

$6.97 MDL 119

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.28 MDL 21.76

$0.91 MDL 15.44

$1.50 MDL 25.62

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.92 MDL 32.72

$1.38 MDL 23.49

$2.53 MDL 43.12

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.34 MDL 5.76

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.41 MDL 229

$22.93 MDL 391

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.08 MDL 35.50

$1.78 MDL 30.31

$3.57 MDL 60.8

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.27 MDL 4.61

$0.23 MDL 3.90

$0.54 MDL 9.22

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.28 MDL 89.9

$3.52 MDL 60.0

$7.04 MDL 120

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.42 MDL 24.27

$1.31 MDL 22.37

$1.49 MDL 25.31

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

$32.7K MDL 556.8K

$29.7K MDL 506.2K

$41.6K MDL 708.6K

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

$31.6K MDL 538.2K

$26.2K MDL 446.4K

$41.7K MDL 710.1K

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

$174 MDL 2,963

$118 MDL 2,012

$301 MDL 5,130

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

$7.31 MDL 125

$4.54 MDL 77.4

$11.18 MDL 191

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$10.95 MDL 187

$7.69 MDL 131

$14.79 MDL 252

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.78 MDL 729

$25.82 MDL 440

$115 MDL 1,955

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.45 MDL 383

$11.89 MDL 203

$35.67 MDL 608

Cinema Ticket

$7.45 MDL 127

$6.30 MDL 107

$8.59 MDL 146

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

$388 MDL 6,607

$290 MDL 4,944

$464 MDL 7,910

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,516 MDL 128.1K

$3,461 MDL 59.0K

$13.8K MDL 235.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.2 MDL 1,128

$35.24 MDL 600

$117 MDL 2,001

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.5 MDL 912

$23.26 MDL 396

$87.2 MDL 1,486

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$113 MDL 1,925

$70.3 MDL 1,199

$147 MDL 2,497

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$122 MDL 2,075

$81.3 MDL 1,386

$174 MDL 2,969

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$671 MDL 11.4K

$523 MDL 8,907

$943 MDL 16.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$469 MDL 7,984

$347 MDL 5,909

$587 MDL 9,997

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,263 MDL 21.5K

$949 MDL 16.2K

$2,103 MDL 35.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$808 MDL 13.8K

$630 MDL 10.7K

$1,163 MDL 19.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,680 MDL 45.7K

$2,241 MDL 38.2K

$3,465 MDL 59.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,813 MDL 30.9K

$1,571 MDL 26.8K

$2,094 MDL 35.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$813 MDL 13.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.24

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

Last update: January 19, 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.