Cost of Living Comparison Between Buzau and Iasi Cost of Living Comparison Between Buzau and Iasi

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,115 in Buzau versus $1,156 in Iasi.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,568 in Buzau versus $1,753 in Iasi.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,020 in Buzau versus $2,350 in Iasi.

Living in Buzau costs roughly 4% less than in Iasi, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Buzau 17% lower, Iasi 13% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Buzau
Iasi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.27 RON 56.3
$10.39 RON 47.66
18.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.22 RON 116
$51.6 RON 236
-51.09%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.79 RON 26.57
$7.12 RON 32.64
-18.68%
Cappuccino
$2.81 RON 12.88
$2.63 RON 12.08
6.84%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98 RON 9.08
$2.11 RON 9.67
-6.16%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 RON 7.25
$1.71 RON 7.85
-7.60%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.28 RON 15.05
$2.47 RON 11.34
32.79%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.52 RON 16.14
$3.36 RON 15.41
4.76%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Buzau
Iasi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.55 RON 7.12
$1.43 RON 6.55
8.39%
White Bread (500g)
$1.36 RON 6.23
$1.22 RON 5.58
11.48%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.70 RON 7.79
$1.89 RON 8.65
-10.05%
Eggs
$3.35 RON 15.36
$3.09 RON 14.15
8.41%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.70 RON 39.89
$8.12 RON 37.26
7.14%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.59 RON 30.21
$6.93 RON 31.76
-4.91%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.03 RON 45.99
$10.88 RON 49.90
-7.81%
Apples (1kg)
$0.96 RON 4.39
$1.23 RON 5.65
-21.95%
Banana (1kg)
$1.61 RON 7.37
$1.55 RON 7.13
3.87%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.18 RON 5.41
$1.71 RON 7.85
-30.99%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.72 RON 7.89
$1.92 RON 8.79
-10.42%
Potato (1kg)
$0.87 RON 3.99
$0.94 RON 4.30
-7.45%
Onion (1kg)
$1.06 RON 4.86
$1.00 RON 4.60
6.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.61 RON 2.79
$1.00 RON 4.59
-39.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59 RON 2.72
$0.86 RON 3.94
-31.40%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.59 RON 25.64
$6.28 RON 28.78
-10.99%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.59 RON 30.21
$6.39 RON 29.29
3.13%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.05 RON 4.82
$1.10 RON 5.04
-4.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68 RON 7.70
$1.92 RON 8.82
-12.50%
🚌 Getting Around
Buzau
Iasi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.70 RON 3.21
$0.79 RON 3.64
-11.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.62 RON 90.0
$27.96 RON 128
-29.83%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.69 RON 3.15
$0.94 RON 4.30
-26.60%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.70 RON 3.22
$0.71 RON 3.26
-1.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.11 RON 32.61
$8.14 RON 37.33
-12.65%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.63 RON 7.48
$1.68 RON 7.70
-2.98%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.6K RON 98.8K
$28.5K RON 130.8K
-24.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.7K RON 104.1K
$27.7K RON 127.1K
-18.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Buzau
Iasi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$126 RON 576
$157 RON 718
-19.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.41 RON 29.41
$8.51 RON 39.04
-24.68%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.76 RON 40.19
$10.26 RON 47.05
-14.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Buzau
Iasi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.26 RON 171
$47.27 RON 217
-21.18%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.99 RON 91.7
$18.50 RON 84.8
8.05%
Cinema Ticket
$5.86 RON 26.87
$8.00 RON 36.71
-26.75%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Buzau
Iasi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$339 RON 1,553
$471 RON 2,158
-28.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,608 RON 30.3K
$6,866 RON 31.5K
-3.76%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Buzau
Iasi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.4 RON 282
$61.0 RON 280
0.75%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.38 RON 199
$43.56 RON 200
-0.41%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.7 RON 444
$86.8 RON 398
11.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$96.7 RON 444
$87.5 RON 401
10.59%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Buzau
Iasi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$430 RON 1,973
$473 RON 2,170
-9.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$369 RON 1,694
$359 RON 1,647
2.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$633 RON 2,905
$742 RON 3,402
-14.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$462 RON 2,119
$533 RON 2,446
-13.35%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,524 RON 6,988
$2,911 RON 13.4K
-47.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,220 RON 5,594
$1,932 RON 8,861
-36.87%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Buzau
Iasi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$899 RON 4,123
$1,182 RON 5,421
-23.95%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.7
7.37
4.48%

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

Last update for Buzau: July 11, 2026

Last update for Iasi: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $430 in Buzau and $473 in Iasi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Iasi pays 31% 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: $25.00 in Buzau vs $52.0 in Iasi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $202 vs $211 per month, with Buzau 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
Buzau vs Iasi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Buzau and in Iasi?
Buzau and Iasi differ by about 4% in total monthly costs ($1,115 vs $1,156 including rent). Buzau 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 31% lower in Iasi. 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 Buzau and in Iasi?
Rent for a central apartment: $430 in Buzau versus $473 in Iasi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 4% higher in Iasi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Buzau – a meal for two runs $25.00 versus $52.0 in Iasi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,115 in Buzau versus $1,156 in Iasi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Buzau but tight or insufficient in Iasi. The gap between the two cities makes Buzau the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Buzau and Iasi?
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 Buzau or Iasi safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Buzau and Iasi 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: Buzau or Iasi?
Expats usually find Buzau gentler on the wallet – expenses run 4% less than in Iasi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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