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: $1,307 in Constanta versus $1,355 in Bucharest.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,122 in Constanta versus $2,137 in Bucharest.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,937 in Constanta versus $2,918 in Bucharest.

Living in Constanta costs roughly 4% less than in Bucharest, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

The two cities straddle the global median: Constanta is 2% below, Bucharest is 1% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.00 RON 60.8
$13.58 RON 58.9
3.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.4 RON 297
$69.5 RON 301
-1.53%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.00 RON 34.71
$8.03 RON 34.84
-0.37%
Cappuccino
$3.29 RON 14.29
$3.42 RON 14.86
-3.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.89 RON 8.19
$2.33 RON 10.13
-18.88%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30 RON 5.63
$2.32 RON 10.09
-43.97%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.34 RON 10.15
$3.51 RON 15.21
-33.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.27 RON 14.19
$3.82 RON 16.60
-14.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.77 RON 7.70
$1.71 RON 7.41
3.51%
White Bread (500g)
$1.28 RON 5.57
$1.41 RON 6.13
-9.22%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.86 RON 8.07
$1.83 RON 7.95
1.64%
Eggs
$3.32 RON 14.40
$3.52 RON 15.29
-5.68%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.63 RON 41.78
$9.42 RON 40.90
2.23%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.74 RON 29.26
$7.09 RON 30.77
-4.94%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.60 RON 50.4
$12.28 RON 53.3
-5.54%
Apples (1kg)
$1.47 RON 6.38
$1.34 RON 5.82
9.70%
Banana (1kg)
$1.79 RON 7.78
$1.72 RON 7.47
4.07%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.78 RON 7.72
$1.77 RON 7.67
0.56%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.50 RON 10.83
$2.39 RON 10.37
4.60%
Potato (1kg)
$1.02 RON 4.41
$1.04 RON 4.52
-1.92%
Onion (1kg)
$1.11 RON 4.81
$0.98 RON 4.25
13.27%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.98 RON 4.25
$0.93 RON 4.04
5.38%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86 RON 3.72
$0.96 RON 4.18
-10.42%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.46 RON 28.04
$6.28 RON 27.26
2.87%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.07 RON 30.68
$7.24 RON 31.42
-2.35%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.10 RON 4.75
$1.24 RON 5.37
-11.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 RON 8.06
$2.02 RON 8.76
-7.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.66 RON 2.85
$1.18 RON 5.11
-44.07%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$18.52 RON 80.4
$19.62 RON 85.2
-5.61%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.94 RON 4.08
$0.66 RON 2.88
42.42%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.74 RON 3.22
$0.60 RON 2.62
23.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.94 RON 34.46
$7.08 RON 30.74
12.15%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.67 RON 7.25
$1.67 RON 7.23
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.5K RON 119.5K
$28.4K RON 123.3K
-3.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.5K RON 119.4K
$30.5K RON 132.2K
-9.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$185 RON 803
$182 RON 791
1.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.06 RON 34.98
$8.93 RON 38.74
-9.74%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.29 RON 40.30
$11.15 RON 48.37
-16.68%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$58.4 RON 253
$54.3 RON 235
7.56%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$36.20 RON 157
$28.96 RON 126
25.00%
Cinema Ticket
$7.85 RON 34.05
$9.19 RON 39.89
-14.58%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$542 RON 2,352
$662 RON 2,873
-18.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,256 RON 35.8K
$14.4K RON 62.7K
-42.81%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.3 RON 305
$79.5 RON 345
-11.57%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$64.4 RON 280
$45.22 RON 196
42.46%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$75.0 RON 325
$91.1 RON 395
-17.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.2 RON 352
$110 RON 477
-26.23%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$582 RON 2,526
$661 RON 2,869
-11.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$458 RON 1,987
$429 RON 1,863
6.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,129 RON 4,899
$1,352 RON 5,869
-16.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$866 RON 3,760
$851 RON 3,691
1.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,648 RON 11.5K
$4,026 RON 17.5K
-34.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,052 RON 8,905
$2,284 RON 9,911
-10.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$994 RON 4,313
$1,522 RON 6,605
-34.70%
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: April 22, 2026

Last update for Bucharest: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $582 in Constanta and $661 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 in Constanta vs $69 in Bucharest for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $229 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 Bucharest?
Constanta and Bucharest differ by about 4% in total monthly costs ($1,307 vs $1,355 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, Bucharest earns 53% less. 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 Bucharest?
Rent for a central apartment: $582 in Constanta versus $661 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 $1,307 per month in Constanta versus $1,355 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 Bucharest?
A monthly transit pass in Constanta runs roughly 6% 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 $1,307 in Constanta versus $1,355 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.

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