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