Cost of Living Comparison Between Constanta and Bucharest Cost of Living Comparison Between Constanta and Bucharest

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,323 in Constanta versus $1,434 in Bucharest.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,009 in Constanta versus $2,168 in Bucharest.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,696 in Constanta versus $2,901 in Bucharest.

Living in Constanta costs roughly 8% less than in Bucharest, driven mainly by Eating Out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Constanta is 4% below, Bucharest is 4% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.10 RON 59.2
$14.25 RON 64.4
-8.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$67.5 RON 305
$60.5 RON 273
11.61%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.78 RON 35.12
$7.53 RON 33.99
3.32%
Cappuccino
$3.31 RON 14.95
$3.72 RON 16.81
-11.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.82 RON 8.22
$2.41 RON 10.89
-24.48%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30 RON 5.87
$2.27 RON 10.26
-42.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.16 RON 9.75
$4.09 RON 18.46
-47.19%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24 RON 14.65
$4.32 RON 19.52
-25.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.72 RON 7.78
$1.78 RON 8.04
-3.37%
White Bread (500g)
$1.31 RON 5.89
$1.47 RON 6.63
-10.88%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.74 RON 7.88
$1.81 RON 8.17
-3.87%
Eggs
$3.06 RON 13.80
$3.82 RON 17.24
-19.90%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.96 RON 40.47
$9.49 RON 42.85
-5.58%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.95 RON 26.89
$6.95 RON 31.39
-14.39%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.37 RON 42.33
$12.58 RON 56.8
-25.52%
Apples (1kg)
$1.36 RON 6.15
$1.33 RON 5.99
2.26%
Banana (1kg)
$1.75 RON 7.89
$1.65 RON 7.43
6.06%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.64 RON 7.42
$1.61 RON 7.26
1.86%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.74 RON 12.38
$2.69 RON 12.15
1.86%
Potato (1kg)
$1.02 RON 4.63
$0.88 RON 3.97
15.91%
Onion (1kg)
$1.04 RON 4.68
$0.76 RON 3.43
36.84%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.05 RON 4.74
$0.86 RON 3.90
22.09%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.92 RON 4.16
$0.98 RON 4.43
-6.12%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.55 RON 29.56
$6.92 RON 31.25
-5.35%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.82 RON 30.81
$6.77 RON 30.57
0.74%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.07 RON 4.82
$1.29 RON 5.82
-17.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 RON 8.12
$1.73 RON 7.82
4.05%
🚌 Getting Around
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.63 RON 2.85
$0.85 RON 3.83
-25.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$17.52 RON 79.1
$22.35 RON 101
-21.61%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.85 RON 3.82
$0.65 RON 2.93
30.77%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.86 RON 3.89
$0.69 RON 3.10
24.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.86 RON 35.48
$6.84 RON 30.87
14.91%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.85 RON 8.36
$2.03 RON 9.18
-8.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.2K RON 131.9K
$29.4K RON 132.9K
-0.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5K RON 115.0K
$27.6K RON 124.4K
-7.56%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$176 RON 797
$198 RON 894
-10.86%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.14 RON 36.74
$8.71 RON 39.35
-6.54%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.72 RON 39.40
$10.07 RON 45.48
-13.41%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.6 RON 260
$54.8 RON 247
5.13%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.22 RON 64.2
$25.74 RON 116
-44.76%
Cinema Ticket
$7.06 RON 31.88
$8.74 RON 39.47
-19.22%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$591 RON 2,668
$648 RON 2,925
-8.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,122 RON 36.7K
$15.2K RON 68.5K
-46.49%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.2 RON 317
$95.7 RON 432
-26.65%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.40 RON 219
$40.35 RON 182
19.95%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.2 RON 412
$81.2 RON 367
12.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.4 RON 404
$101 RON 457
-11.66%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$626 RON 2,828
$702 RON 3,172
-10.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$491 RON 2,216
$487 RON 2,199
0.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,105 RON 4,992
$1,143 RON 5,164
-3.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$776 RON 3,506
$754 RON 3,406
2.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,583 RON 11.7K
$4,032 RON 18.2K
-35.95%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,100 RON 9,485
$2,332 RON 10.5K
-9.93%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,001 RON 4,520
$1,535 RON 6,933
-34.81%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.99
6.82
2.49%

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

Last update for Constanta: September 6, 2026

Last update for Bucharest: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $626 in Constanta and $702 in Bucharest. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Bucharest pays 53% 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 Constanta vs $60.0 in Bucharest. Groceries flip the comparison at $215 vs $235, with Constanta 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
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 8% in total monthly costs ($1,323 vs $1,434 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 53% 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: $626 in Constanta versus $702 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 $1,323 per month in Constanta versus $1,434 in Bucharest – a 8% 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 28% 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 $1,323 in Constanta versus $1,434 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 8% less than in Bucharest. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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