Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Bucharest and Boras

For one person, living is cheaper in Bucharest: $1,340 a month against $1,862 in Boras, rent and utilities included – about $6,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Bucharest
🇷🇴 Romania
$1,340
/mo nomad
Boras
🇸🇪 Sweden
$1,862
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Bucharest and in Boras

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Bucharest and in Boras actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,340 in Bucharest versus $1,862 in Boras.

  • Bucharest $1,340
  • Boras $1,862

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,037 in Bucharest versus $2,190 in Boras.

  • Bucharest $2,037
  • Boras $2,190

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,734 in Bucharest versus $2,519 in Boras.

  • Bucharest $2,734
  • Boras $2,519

Living in Bucharest costs roughly 28% less than in Boras, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

The two cities straddle the global median: Bucharest is 1% below, Boras is 38% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bucharest
Boras
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.49 RON 68.6
$12.85 SEK 127
12.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.1 RON 275
$90.2 SEK 894
-35.58%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.48 RON 35.40
$9.85 SEK 97.6
-24.06%
Cappuccino
$3.44 RON 16.29
$4.33 SEK 42.89
-20.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37 RON 11.22
$2.12 SEK 21.02
11.79%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30 RON 10.88
$1.95 SEK 19.33
17.95%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.70 RON 17.51
$6.85 SEK 67.9
-45.99%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.16 RON 19.69
$6.94 SEK 68.8
-40.06%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bucharest
Boras
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.67 RON 7.90
$1.62 SEK 16.06
3.09%
White Bread (500g)
$1.37 RON 6.50
$2.56 SEK 25.34
-46.48%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.72 RON 8.14
$2.94 SEK 29.17
-41.50%
Eggs
$3.64 RON 17.22
$4.53 SEK 44.88
-19.65%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.08 RON 42.98
$12.43 SEK 123
-26.95%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.84 RON 32.35
$11.63 SEK 115
-41.19%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.00 RON 56.8
$15.46 SEK 153
-22.38%
Apples (1kg)
$1.23 RON 5.80
$3.10 SEK 30.72
-60.32%
Banana (1kg)
$1.63 RON 7.73
$2.61 SEK 25.83
-37.55%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.57 RON 7.45
$2.75 SEK 27.27
-42.91%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.54 RON 12.01
$3.47 SEK 34.42
-26.80%
Potato (1kg)
$0.79 RON 3.75
$1.46 SEK 14.43
-45.89%
Onion (1kg)
$0.77 RON 3.66
$1.35 SEK 13.41
-42.96%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.87 RON 4.13
$2.21 SEK 21.85
-60.63%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.99 RON 4.70
$1.35 SEK 13.39
-26.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.31 RON 29.86
$6.49 SEK 64.3
-2.77%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.20 RON 29.34
$8.23 SEK 81.6
-24.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19 RON 5.63
$1.78 SEK 17.65
-33.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57 RON 7.45
$1.62 SEK 16.08
-3.09%
🚌 Getting Around
Bucharest
Boras
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.86 RON 4.08
$3.66 SEK 36.29
-76.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$21.10 RON 99.8
$75.5 SEK 748
-72.04%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.64 RON 3.05
$5.03 SEK 49.83
-87.28%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.60 RON 2.86
$1.07 SEK 10.64
-43.93%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.43 RON 30.43
$40.70 SEK 403
-84.20%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.96 RON 9.25
$1.77 SEK 17.55
10.73%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.0K RON 137.2K
$25.3K SEK 250.5K
14.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6K RON 126.0K
$15.2K SEK 150.9K
74.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bucharest
Boras
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$196 RON 927
$58.6 SEK 580
234.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.04 RON 38.04
$28.96 SEK 287
-72.24%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.35 RON 44.21
$39.63 SEK 393
-76.41%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bucharest
Boras
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$50.2 RON 238
$34.24 SEK 339
46.70%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.33 RON 120
$24.72 SEK 245
2.47%
Cinema Ticket
$8.15 RON 38.55
$14.86 SEK 147
-45.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bucharest
Boras
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$628 RON 2,971
$156 SEK 1,542
303.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.1K RON 66.6K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bucharest
Boras
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.6 RON 424
$49.27 SEK 488
81.88%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.32 RON 181
$50.7 SEK 502
-24.43%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.3 RON 375
$78.5 SEK 778
0.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.4 RON 428
$101 SEK 998
-10.24%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bucharest
Boras
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$678 RON 3,209
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$448 RON 2,121
$862 SEK 8,540
-47.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,083 RON 5,125
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$725 RON 3,430
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,751 RON 17.7K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,195 RON 10.4K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bucharest
Boras
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,329 RON 6,290
$2,412 SEK 23.9K
-44.89%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.75
4.8
40.63%

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

Last update for Bucharest: October 12, 2026

Last update for Boras: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Bucharest
$448
Boras
$862 92.3% $414
Eating Out
Bucharest
$225
Boras
$249 10.4% $24
Groceries & Markets
Bucharest
$225
Boras
$334 48.3% $109
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bucharest
$213
Boras
$127 40.4% $86
Clothing & Footwear
Bucharest
$134
Boras
$126 6.2% $8.3
Sport & Entertainment
Bucharest
$67
Boras
$64 3.9% $2.6
Getting Around
Bucharest
$28
Boras
$101 256% $72

Cost Breakdown

Boras pays 81% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $58.0 in Bucharest vs $90.0 in Boras for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $225 vs $334 per month, with Bucharest cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇷🇴 Bucharest
🇸🇪 Boras
🕒 Local time
09:17 9:17 AM
08:17 8:17 AM
1 h behind Bucharest
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,883,425 Capital
66,273
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

SEK, USD, EUR to RON – Romanian Leu Converter

Romanian Leu exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 4.73 RON (1 RON = 0.211 USD). 1 EUR = 5.32 RON (1 RON = 0.188 EUR).

Swedish Krona exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 9.91 SEK (1 SEK = 0.101 USD). 1 EUR = 11.14 SEK (100 SEK = 8.98 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Bucharest Boras 1,730 km ≈ 2 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Bucharest
  • Boras

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Bucharest vs Boras: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boras cheaper than Bucharest?
Bucharest is cheaper overall, especially in eating out, groceries, and transport. The 39% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Bucharest or Boras?
On paper, salaries run 81% lower in Boras. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What are total monthly expenses in Bucharest and in Boras?
All in, you'll spend $1,340 per month in Bucharest versus $1,862 in Boras – a 39% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Bucharest runs roughly 258% less than in Boras. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Bucharest or in Boras?
At $1,340 in Bucharest versus $1,862 in Boras, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Bucharest but tight or insufficient in Boras. The gap between the two cities makes Bucharest the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Bucharest or Boras more family-friendly?
For families, Bucharest is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Boras, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Bucharest or Boras?
Safety-wise, Bucharest and Boras are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Bucharest gentler on the wallet – expenses run 39% less than in Boras. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Bucharest vs other spots: cost of living compared

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