Cost of Living Comparison Between Bucharest and Targoviste Cost of Living Comparison Between Bucharest and Targoviste

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,354 in Bucharest versus $997 in Targoviste.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,145 in Bucharest versus $1,445 in Targoviste.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,936 in Bucharest versus $1,893 in Targoviste.

Living in Bucharest is roughly 36% more expensive than Targoviste, driven mainly by Eating Out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Bucharest is 1% above, Targoviste is 26% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bucharest
Targoviste
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.79 RON 60.0
$9.39 RON 40.85
46.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.5 RON 298
$27.76 RON 121
146.72%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.85 RON 34.13
$6.71 RON 29.18
16.99%
Cappuccino
$3.39 RON 14.74
$2.37 RON 10.29
43.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33 RON 10.13
$1.50 RON 6.55
55.33%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29 RON 9.97
$1.44 RON 6.25
59.03%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.47 RON 15.09
$2.31 RON 10.06
50.22%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.98 RON 17.31
$2.92 RON 12.72
36.30%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bucharest
Targoviste
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.73 RON 7.52
$1.54 RON 6.70
12.34%
White Bread (500g)
$1.35 RON 5.87
$0.99 RON 4.30
36.36%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.91 RON 8.32
$1.65 RON 7.16
15.76%
Eggs
$3.49 RON 15.17
$2.71 RON 11.79
28.78%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.57 RON 41.64
$3.51 RON 15.27
172.65%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.97 RON 30.31
$6.73 RON 29.28
3.57%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.12 RON 52.7
$9.68 RON 42.12
25.21%
Apples (1kg)
$1.39 RON 6.05
$1.22 RON 5.32
13.93%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 RON 7.44
$1.72 RON 7.49
-0.58%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.84 RON 8.01
$1.54 RON 6.72
19.48%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.51 RON 10.90
$1.84 RON 8.00
36.41%
Potato (1kg)
$1.00 RON 4.36
$1.08 RON 4.71
-7.41%
Onion (1kg)
$0.96 RON 4.17
$1.09 RON 4.75
-11.93%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.91 RON 3.97
$0.79 RON 3.43
15.19%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.89 RON 3.89
$0.81 RON 3.51
9.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.35 RON 27.61
$5.95 RON 25.89
6.72%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.02 RON 30.55
$6.10 RON 26.52
15.08%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.27 RON 5.53
$1.31 RON 5.68
-3.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93 RON 8.40
$2.29 RON 9.98
-15.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Bucharest
Targoviste
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.13 RON 4.93
$0.45 RON 1.94
151.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.18 RON 83.4
$20.11 RON 87.5
-4.62%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.67 RON 2.92
$0.79 RON 3.45
-15.19%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.60 RON 2.61
$0.76 RON 3.30
-21.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.85 RON 29.82
$7.08 RON 30.82
-3.25%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.72 RON 7.50
$1.54 RON 6.70
11.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.1K RON 126.4K
$28.5K RON 124.0K
1.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.3K RON 131.8K
$27.7K RON 120.4K
9.48%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bucharest
Targoviste
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$181 RON 786
$209 RON 910
-13.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.87 RON 38.60
$7.90 RON 34.39
12.28%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.10 RON 48.28
$9.01 RON 39.18
23.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bucharest
Targoviste
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$54.9 RON 239
$23.15 RON 101
137.19%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.47 RON 128
$19.15 RON 83.3
53.89%
Cinema Ticket
$9.16 RON 39.86
$3.44 RON 14.96
166.28%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bucharest
Targoviste
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$658 RON 2,861
$351 RON 1,527
87.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.3K RON 62.2K
$8,951 RON 38.9K
59.81%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bucharest
Targoviste
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$81.9 RON 356
$69.4 RON 302
17.97%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.07 RON 196
$35.17 RON 153
28.15%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.8 RON 399
$58.3 RON 254
57.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108 RON 471
$79.5 RON 346
36.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bucharest
Targoviste
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$643 RON 2,798
$376 RON 1,635
71.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$443 RON 1,927
$281 RON 1,220
57.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,329 RON 5,781
$487 RON 2,117
173.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$844 RON 3,672
$437 RON 1,899
93.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,172 RON 18.2K
$1,755 RON 7,634
137.76%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,298 RON 9,997
$1,393 RON 6,058
65.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bucharest
Targoviste
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,515 RON 6,589
$940 RON 4,088
61.16%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.1
6.28
13.06%

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

Last update for Bucharest: April 28, 2026

Last update for Targoviste: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $643 in Bucharest and $376 in Targoviste. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Bucharest pays 61% 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: $68.0 in Bucharest vs $28.00 in Targoviste for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $233 vs $189 per month, with Targoviste 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 Targoviste: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Bucharest and Targoviste?
Bucharest and Targoviste differ by about 36% in total monthly costs ($1,354 vs $997 including rent). Targoviste is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Bucharest or Targoviste?
Bucharest pays 61% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Bucharest and Targoviste?
Rent for a central apartment: $643 in Bucharest versus $376 in Targoviste. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Bucharest or Targoviste?
All in, you'll spend $1,354 per month in Bucharest versus $997 in Targoviste – a 36% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Bucharest and Targoviste?
A monthly transit pass in Targoviste runs roughly 5% 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 $997 in Targoviste versus $1,354 in Bucharest, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Targoviste but tight or insufficient in Bucharest. The gap between the two cities makes Targoviste the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Bucharest and Targoviste?
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 Targoviste safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Bucharest and Targoviste 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 Targoviste?
Expats usually find Targoviste gentler on the wallet – expenses run 36% less than in Bucharest. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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