😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,397 in Bucharest versus $967 in Keelung.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,105 in Bucharest versus $1,708 in Keelung.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,814 in Bucharest versus $2,450 in Keelung.
🌍Living in Bucharest is roughly 44% more expensive than in Keelung, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Bucharest is 2% above, Keelung is 29% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bucharest
Keelung
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.50RON 71.1
$4.88NT$155
217.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.9RON 275
$31.81NT$1,013
88.21%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.54RON 34.58
$4.79NT$153
57.41%
Cappuccino
$3.72RON 17.07
$2.84NT$90.6
30.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36RON 10.82
$1.00NT$31.74
136.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30RON 10.55
$0.73NT$23.24
215.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.98RON 18.26
$1.55NT$49.49
156.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.51RON 20.70
$2.84NT$90.5
58.80%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bucharest
Keelung
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.82RON 8.33
$3.12NT$99.3
-41.67%
White Bread(500g)
$1.44RON 6.62
$1.39NT$44.29
3.60%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.82RON 8.36
$1.18NT$37.68
54.24%
Eggs
$3.94RON 18.08
$2.25NT$71.6
75.11%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.47RON 43.44
$29.54NT$940
-67.94%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.05RON 32.36
$5.64NT$180
25.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.16RON 55.8
$17.02NT$542
-28.55%
Apples(1kg)
$1.33RON 6.11
$4.40NT$140
-69.77%
Banana(1kg)
$1.67RON 7.68
$1.97NT$62.6
-15.23%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.64RON 7.51
$1.77NT$56.3
-7.34%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.80RON 12.83
$2.21NT$70.2
26.70%
Potato(1kg)
$0.84RON 3.86
$1.20NT$38.12
-30.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.79RON 3.62
$1.90NT$60.5
-58.42%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.91RON 4.16
$2.46NT$78.2
-63.01%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.00RON 4.59
$0.90NT$28.71
11.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.00RON 32.12
$3.81NT$121
83.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.44RON 29.54
$9.74NT$310
-33.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.24RON 5.70
$1.09NT$34.57
13.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74RON 7.99
$2.47NT$78.6
-29.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Bucharest
Keelung
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86RON 3.93
$0.61NT$19.45
40.98%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$21.97RON 101
$63.0NT$2,004
-65.11%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.63RON 2.91
$2.75NT$87.4
-77.09%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69RON 3.17
$0.99NT$31.45
-30.30%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.68RON 30.66
$9.35NT$298
-28.56%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.97RON 9.05
$1.04NT$33.12
89.42%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.3KRON 134.6K
$34.3KNT$1.1M
-14.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.4KRON 130.4K
$23.4KNT$743.6K
21.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bucharest
Keelung
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$192RON 879
$41.86NT$1,332
357.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.51RON 39.03
$15.24NT$485
-44.16%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.09RON 46.28
$11.29NT$359
-10.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bucharest
Keelung
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.1RON 244
$35.55NT$1,132
49.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.78RON 118
$31.90NT$1,015
-19.18%
Cinema Ticket
$8.57RON 39.30
$7.76NT$247
10.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bucharest
Keelung
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$664RON 3,048
$348NT$11.1K
90.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.1KRON 69.3K
$16.9KNT$539.4K
-10.84%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bucharest
Keelung
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$94.5RON 434
$69.6NT$2,214
35.87%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.90RON 188
$36.18NT$1,152
13.05%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.4RON 378
$48.34NT$1,539
70.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$99.2RON 455
$31.31NT$997
216.90%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bucharest
Keelung
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$716RON 3,283
$405NT$12.9K
76.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$470RON 2,158
$251NT$8,001
87.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,149RON 5,273
$1,009NT$32.1K
13.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$739RON 3,389
$732NT$23.3K
0.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,881RON 17.8K
$3,420NT$108.9K
13.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,277RON 10.4K
$2,351NT$74.8K
-3.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bucharest
Keelung
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,484RON 6,809
$2,491NT$79.3K
-40.44%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.76
2.27
197.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bucharest: September 15, 2026
Last update for Keelung: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $716 in Bucharest and $405 in Keelung. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Keelung pays 68% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $60.0 in Bucharest vs $32.00 in Keelung. Groceries flip the comparison at $235 vs $337, with Bucharest cheaper for home cooking.
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 Keelung: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Bucharest and in Keelung?
Bucharest and Keelung differ by about 44% in total monthly costs ($1,397 vs $967 including rent). Keelung is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 68% lower in Keelung. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Bucharest and in Keelung?
Rent for a central apartment: $716 in Bucharest versus $405 in Keelung. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Bucharest or Keelung?
All in, you'll spend $1,397 per month in Bucharest versus $967 in Keelung – a 44% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Bucharest and in Keelung?
A monthly transit pass in Keelung runs roughly 187% 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 $2,000 per month?
At $967 in Keelung versus $1,397 in Bucharest, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Keelung but tight or insufficient in Bucharest. The gap between the two cities makes Keelung the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Bucharest and Keelung?
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 Keelung safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Bucharest and Keelung 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 Keelung?
Expats usually find Keelung gentler on the wallet – expenses run 44% less than in Bucharest. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.