😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,316 in Bucharest versus $1,269 in Keelung.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,132 in Bucharest versus $2,047 in Keelung.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,949 in Bucharest versus $2,824 in Keelung.
🌍Living in Bucharest is roughly 4% more expensive than in Keelung, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bucharest1% lower, Keelung5% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bucharest
Keelung
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.55RON 61.6
$5.18NT$167
161.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.7RON 312
$30.17NT$974
127.58%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.83RON 35.59
$5.33NT$172
46.90%
Cappuccino
$3.44RON 15.65
$2.97NT$95.8
15.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29RON 10.43
$1.11NT$35.98
106.31%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42RON 11.02
$0.79NT$25.64
206.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.40RON 15.47
$2.18NT$70.4
55.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.89RON 17.68
$2.94NT$95.0
32.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bucharest
Keelung
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.81RON 8.21
$3.45NT$111
-47.54%
White Bread(500g)
$1.42RON 6.45
$1.56NT$50.4
-8.97%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.86RON 8.45
$1.19NT$38.56
56.30%
Eggs
$3.70RON 16.80
$2.38NT$77.0
55.46%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.40RON 42.74
$31.14NT$1,006
-69.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.20RON 32.72
$5.93NT$191
21.42%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.98RON 54.5
$15.58NT$503
-23.11%
Apples(1kg)
$1.39RON 6.33
$4.59NT$148
-69.72%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72RON 7.80
$1.81NT$58.4
-4.97%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.74RON 7.92
$2.22NT$71.6
-21.62%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47RON 11.24
$3.07NT$99.1
-19.54%
Potato(1kg)
$1.00RON 4.55
$1.33NT$43.10
-24.81%
Onion(1kg)
$1.03RON 4.68
$1.91NT$61.5
-46.07%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.00RON 4.54
$2.28NT$73.5
-56.14%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.93RON 4.24
$1.28NT$41.42
-27.34%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.37RON 28.97
$3.95NT$128
61.27%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.70RON 30.45
$9.05NT$292
-25.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.27RON 5.79
$1.21NT$39.13
4.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01RON 9.12
$2.66NT$86.0
-24.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Bucharest
Keelung
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.18RON 5.38
$0.53NT$17.06
122.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.18RON 87.2
$66.6NT$2,150
-71.19%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.66RON 2.99
$2.81NT$90.9
-76.51%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.62RON 2.81
$1.19NT$38.39
-47.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.95RON 31.59
$10.30NT$333
-32.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.72RON 7.80
$1.00NT$32.37
72.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.2KRON 128.3K
$33.6KNT$1.1M
-16.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.1KRON 136.7K
$25.4KNT$820.5K
18.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bucharest
Keelung
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$182RON 828
$43.58NT$1,407
317.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.96RON 40.71
$24.59NT$794
-63.56%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.24RON 51.1
$11.73NT$379
-4.18%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bucharest
Keelung
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.7RON 244
$37.84NT$1,222
41.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.04RON 132
$34.48NT$1,113
-15.78%
Cinema Ticket
$9.00RON 40.91
$8.33NT$269
8.04%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bucharest
Keelung
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$661RON 3,005
$354NT$11.4K
86.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.6KRON 66.4K
$20.4KNT$658.5K
-28.33%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bucharest
Keelung
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$81.2RON 369
$85.8NT$2,770
-5.39%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.34RON 202
$34.98NT$1,130
26.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$90.2RON 410
$51.4NT$1,661
75.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110RON 500
$33.24NT$1,073
230.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bucharest
Keelung
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$661RON 3,005
$607NT$19.6K
8.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$443RON 2,014
$504NT$16.3K
-12.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,328RON 6,038
$1,120NT$36.2K
18.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$830RON 3,772
$1,032NT$33.3K
-19.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,866RON 17.6K
$3,290NT$106.2K
17.50%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,178RON 9,902
$2,312NT$74.7K
-5.81%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bucharest
Keelung
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,432RON 6,512
$2,450NT$79.1K
-41.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.1
2.18
225.69%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bucharest: July 27, 2026
Last update for Keelung: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $661 in Bucharest and $607 in Keelung. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Keelung pays 71% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $69.0 in Bucharest vs $30.00 in Keelung. Groceries flip the comparison at $235 vs $354, 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 4% in total monthly costs ($1,316 vs $1,269 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 71% 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: $661 in Bucharest versus $607 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 $1,316 per month in Bucharest versus $1,269 in Keelung – a 4% 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 247% 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 $1,269 in Keelung versus $1,316 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 4% less than in Bucharest. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.