😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,331 in Bucharest versus $1,120 in Dealu.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,166 in Bucharest versus $1,706 in Dealu.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,000 in Bucharest versus $2,292 in Dealu.
😐Living in Bucharest is roughly 19% more expensive than Dealu, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bucharest1% lower, Dealu17% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bucharest
Dealu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.87RON 62.7
$11.45RON 51.8
21.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.0RON 317
$58.5RON 264
19.74%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.23RON 37.24
$8.16RON 36.89
0.86%
Cappuccino
$3.45RON 15.60
$3.40RON 15.38
1.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33RON 10.54
$2.31RON 10.44
0.87%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31RON 10.47
$2.20RON 9.93
5.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.51RON 15.89
$3.27RON 14.81
7.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79RON 17.16
$3.85RON 17.41
-1.56%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bucharest
Dealu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.78RON 8.06
$1.80RON 8.15
-1.11%
White Bread(500g)
$1.43RON 6.47
$1.28RON 5.81
11.72%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.83RON 8.28
$1.82RON 8.23
0.55%
Eggs
$3.53RON 15.98
$3.39RON 15.33
4.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.61RON 43.47
$9.70RON 43.90
-0.93%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.92RON 31.28
$7.15RON 32.35
-3.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.27RON 55.5
$11.80RON 53.4
3.98%
Apples(1kg)
$1.39RON 6.29
$1.20RON 5.41
15.83%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72RON 7.76
$1.71RON 7.76
0.58%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.75RON 7.92
$1.61RON 7.29
8.70%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.40RON 10.85
$2.40RON 10.85
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.04RON 4.69
$0.95RON 4.28
9.47%
Onion(1kg)
$0.96RON 4.36
$0.98RON 4.44
-2.04%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.98RON 4.46
$1.03RON 4.67
-4.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91RON 4.12
$0.87RON 3.94
4.60%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.35RON 28.73
$6.41RON 28.98
-0.94%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.62RON 29.94
$6.76RON 30.57
-2.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.22RON 5.54
$1.15RON 5.21
6.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01RON 9.08
$1.96RON 8.84
2.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Bucharest
Dealu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.12RON 5.05
$0.68RON 3.07
64.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.94RON 90.2
$19.59RON 88.6
1.79%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.70RON 3.18
$1.01RON 4.57
-30.69%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.66RON 2.97
$0.71RON 3.20
-7.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.79RON 30.74
$9.42RON 42.61
-27.92%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.73RON 7.81
$1.66RON 7.49
4.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.1KRON 131.5K
$28.2KRON 127.4K
3.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.4KRON 137.4K
$26.1KRON 118.1K
16.41%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bucharest
Dealu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$178RON 804
$161RON 730
10.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.16RON 41.45
$9.18RON 41.54
-0.22%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.22RON 50.7
$10.09RON 45.66
11.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bucharest
Dealu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$55.2RON 250
$41.68RON 189
32.49%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.55RON 134
$19.52RON 88.3
51.38%
Cinema Ticket
$8.96RON 40.51
$8.11RON 36.68
10.48%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bucharest
Dealu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$657RON 2,973
$479RON 2,168
37.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.5KRON 65.8K
$10.6KRON 48.1K
36.77%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bucharest
Dealu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$81.4RON 368
$69.3RON 313
17.55%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.88RON 208
$40.30RON 182
13.85%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.4RON 405
$85.0RON 384
5.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109RON 495
$98.1RON 444
11.67%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bucharest
Dealu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$644RON 2,914
$394RON 1,780
63.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$444RON 2,007
$295RON 1,333
50.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,343RON 6,074
$595RON 2,689
125.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$847RON 3,833
$441RON 1,995
92.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,941RON 17.8K
$2,186RON 9,888
80.30%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,248RON 10.2K
$1,454RON 6,579
54.56%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bucharest
Dealu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,425RON 6,444
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.1
5.85
21.37%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bucharest: June 8, 2026
Last update for Dealu: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $644 in Bucharest and $394 in Dealu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $70.0 in Bucharest vs $58.0 in Dealu for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $233 vs $229 per month, with Dealu cheaper across the board.
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 Dealu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Bucharest and Dealu?
Bucharest and Dealu differ by about 19% in total monthly costs ($1,331 vs $1,120 including rent). Dealu is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Bucharest compared to Dealu?
You'd need roughly $1,997 in Bucharest and $1,680 in Dealu to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Bucharest and Dealu?
Rent for a central apartment: $644 in Bucharest versus $394 in Dealu. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Bucharest or Dealu?
All in, you'll spend $1,331 per month in Bucharest versus $1,120 in Dealu – a 19% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Bucharest and Dealu?
A monthly transit pass in Dealu runs roughly 2% less than in Bucharest. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,120 in Dealu versus $1,331 in Bucharest, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Dealu but tight or insufficient in Bucharest. The gap between the two cities makes Dealu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Bucharest and Dealu?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Bucharest or Dealu safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Bucharest and Dealu are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Bucharest or Dealu?
Expats usually find Dealu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 19% less than in Bucharest. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.