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