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: $1,314 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
$13.83 RON 63.4
$13.58 RON 62.3
1.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.9 RON 316
$69.3 RON 318
-0.59%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.98 RON 36.59
$8.20 RON 37.61
-2.68%
Cappuccino
$3.31 RON 15.19
$3.27 RON 15.01
1.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 RON 8.98
$2.31 RON 10.59
-15.15%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30 RON 5.95
$2.33 RON 10.69
-44.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.35 RON 10.78
$3.36 RON 15.41
-30.06%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24 RON 14.84
$3.84 RON 17.62
-15.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.70 RON 7.80
$1.78 RON 8.14
-4.49%
White Bread (500g)
$1.30 RON 5.94
$1.36 RON 6.25
-4.41%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.93 RON 8.84
$1.93 RON 8.86
-
Eggs
$3.16 RON 14.47
$3.62 RON 16.61
-12.71%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.98 RON 45.74
$9.49 RON 43.50
5.16%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.69 RON 30.65
$6.86 RON 31.44
-2.48%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.69 RON 53.6
$12.27 RON 56.2
-4.73%
Apples (1kg)
$1.46 RON 6.69
$1.39 RON 6.38
5.04%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 RON 7.86
$1.70 RON 7.80
0.59%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.73 RON 7.94
$1.76 RON 8.05
-1.70%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.50 RON 11.46
$2.52 RON 11.53
-0.79%
Potato (1kg)
$1.00 RON 4.58
$1.04 RON 4.77
-3.85%
Onion (1kg)
$1.10 RON 5.06
$1.01 RON 4.64
8.91%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.02 RON 4.67
$1.00 RON 4.57
2.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86 RON 3.94
$0.95 RON 4.37
-9.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.43 RON 29.48
$6.32 RON 28.96
1.74%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.49 RON 29.76
$6.35 RON 29.13
2.20%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.13 RON 5.19
$1.28 RON 5.85
-11.72%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.78 RON 8.18
$2.00 RON 9.17
-11.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.67 RON 3.06
$1.12 RON 5.12
-40.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$18.55 RON 85.1
$19.43 RON 89.1
-4.53%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.88 RON 4.02
$0.66 RON 3.03
33.33%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.71 RON 3.25
$0.60 RON 2.77
18.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.96 RON 36.48
$6.81 RON 31.20
16.89%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.70 RON 7.80
$1.72 RON 7.89
-1.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.5K RON 130.8K
$29.0K RON 133.2K
-1.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.9K RON 128.0K
$29.9K RON 137.1K
-6.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$189 RON 868
$179 RON 819
6.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.03 RON 36.81
$8.77 RON 40.20
-8.44%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.04 RON 41.43
$11.15 RON 51.1
-18.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$59.7 RON 274
$54.8 RON 251
8.98%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$37.16 RON 170
$29.28 RON 134
26.91%
Cinema Ticket
$8.09 RON 37.08
$9.41 RON 43.16
-14.03%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$552 RON 2,529
$668 RON 3,061
-17.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,479 RON 38.9K
$14.4K RON 66.0K
-41.12%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.0 RON 321
$80.6 RON 370
-13.23%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$66.5 RON 305
$44.84 RON 206
48.26%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$75.2 RON 345
$89.4 RON 410
-15.89%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.5 RON 365
$109 RON 501
-27.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$584 RON 2,678
$657 RON 3,015
-11.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$456 RON 2,089
$432 RON 1,983
5.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,155 RON 5,298
$1,334 RON 6,117
-13.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$884 RON 4,051
$857 RON 3,929
3.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,592 RON 11.9K
$3,890 RON 17.8K
-33.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,026 RON 9,291
$2,171 RON 9,953
-6.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$984 RON 4,512
$1,436 RON 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.

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