🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,314 in Constanta versus $1,361 in Bucharest.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,126 in Constanta versus $2,177 in Bucharest.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,939 in Constanta versus $2,994 in Bucharest.
🌍Living in Constanta costs roughly 3% less than in Bucharest, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Constanta is 2% below, Bucharest is 2% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.83RON 63.4
$13.58RON 62.3
1.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.9RON 316
$69.3RON 318
-0.59%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.98RON 36.59
$8.20RON 37.61
-2.68%
Cappuccino
$3.31RON 15.19
$3.27RON 15.01
1.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96RON 8.98
$2.31RON 10.59
-15.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30RON 5.95
$2.33RON 10.69
-44.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.35RON 10.78
$3.36RON 15.41
-30.06%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24RON 14.84
$3.84RON 17.62
-15.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.70RON 7.80
$1.78RON 8.14
-4.49%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30RON 5.94
$1.36RON 6.25
-4.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.93RON 8.84
$1.93RON 8.86
-
Eggs
$3.16RON 14.47
$3.62RON 16.61
-12.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.98RON 45.74
$9.49RON 43.50
5.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.69RON 30.65
$6.86RON 31.44
-2.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.69RON 53.6
$12.27RON 56.2
-4.73%
Apples(1kg)
$1.46RON 6.69
$1.39RON 6.38
5.04%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71RON 7.86
$1.70RON 7.80
0.59%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.73RON 7.94
$1.76RON 8.05
-1.70%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.50RON 11.46
$2.52RON 11.53
-0.79%
Potato(1kg)
$1.00RON 4.58
$1.04RON 4.77
-3.85%
Onion(1kg)
$1.10RON 5.06
$1.01RON 4.64
8.91%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02RON 4.67
$1.00RON 4.57
2.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86RON 3.94
$0.95RON 4.37
-9.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.43RON 29.48
$6.32RON 28.96
1.74%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.49RON 29.76
$6.35RON 29.13
2.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.13RON 5.19
$1.28RON 5.85
-11.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.78RON 8.18
$2.00RON 9.17
-11.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.67RON 3.06
$1.12RON 5.12
-40.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.55RON 85.1
$19.43RON 89.1
-4.53%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.88RON 4.02
$0.66RON 3.03
33.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.71RON 3.25
$0.60RON 2.77
18.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.96RON 36.48
$6.81RON 31.20
16.89%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.70RON 7.80
$1.72RON 7.89
-1.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.5KRON 130.8K
$29.0KRON 133.2K
-1.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.9KRON 128.0K
$29.9KRON 137.1K
-6.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$189RON 868
$179RON 819
6.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.03RON 36.81
$8.77RON 40.20
-8.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.04RON 41.43
$11.15RON 51.1
-18.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$59.7RON 274
$54.8RON 251
8.98%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$37.16RON 170
$29.28RON 134
26.91%
Cinema Ticket
$8.09RON 37.08
$9.41RON 43.16
-14.03%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$552RON 2,529
$668RON 3,061
-17.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,479RON 38.9K
$14.4KRON 66.0K
-41.12%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.0RON 321
$80.6RON 370
-13.23%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$66.5RON 305
$44.84RON 206
48.26%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$75.2RON 345
$89.4RON 410
-15.89%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.5RON 365
$109RON 501
-27.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$584RON 2,678
$657RON 3,015
-11.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456RON 2,089
$432RON 1,983
5.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,155RON 5,298
$1,334RON 6,117
-13.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$884RON 4,051
$857RON 3,929
3.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,592RON 11.9K
$3,890RON 17.8K
-33.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,026RON 9,291
$2,171RON 9,953
-6.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$984RON 4,512
$1,436RON 6,583
-31.47%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.78
7.1
-4.51%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Constanta: July 21, 2026
Last update for Bucharest: July 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $584 in Constanta and $657 in Bucharest. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bucharest pays 46% 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: $69.0 in Constanta vs $69.0 in Bucharest for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $228 vs $234 per month, with Constanta 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
Constanta vs Bucharest: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Constanta and in Bucharest?
Constanta and Bucharest differ by about 4% in total monthly costs ($1,314 vs $1,361 including rent). Constanta 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 46% lower in Bucharest. 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 Constanta and in Bucharest?
Rent for a central apartment: $584 in Constanta versus $657 in Bucharest. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Constanta or Bucharest?
All in, you'll spend $1,314 per month in Constanta versus $1,361 in Bucharest – a 4% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Constanta and in Bucharest?
A monthly transit pass in Constanta 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 $1,500 per month?
At $1,314 in Constanta versus $1,361 in Bucharest, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Constanta but tight or insufficient in Bucharest. The gap between the two cities makes Constanta the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Constanta and Bucharest?
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 Constanta or Bucharest safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Constanta and Bucharest 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: Constanta or Bucharest?
Expats usually find Constanta 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.