🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,300 in Constanta versus $1,331 in Bucharest.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,124 in Constanta versus $2,166 in Bucharest.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,947 in Constanta versus $3,000 in Bucharest.
🙂Living in Constanta costs roughly 2% less than in Bucharest, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Constanta3% lower, Bucharest1% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.58RON 61.7
$13.87RON 63.0
-2.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.9RON 317
$70.0RON 318
-0.16%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.96RON 36.13
$8.23RON 37.37
-3.28%
Cappuccino
$3.35RON 15.19
$3.45RON 15.65
-2.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.90RON 8.64
$2.33RON 10.58
-18.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30RON 5.92
$2.31RON 10.51
-43.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.26RON 10.25
$3.51RON 15.94
-35.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.26RON 14.79
$3.79RON 17.22
-13.98%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71RON 7.76
$1.78RON 8.09
-3.93%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25RON 5.68
$1.43RON 6.49
-12.59%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.90RON 8.61
$1.83RON 8.31
3.83%
Eggs
$3.23RON 14.65
$3.53RON 16.04
-8.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.92RON 45.05
$9.61RON 43.62
3.23%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.76RON 30.71
$6.92RON 31.39
-2.31%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.78RON 53.5
$12.27RON 55.7
-3.99%
Apples(1kg)
$1.45RON 6.58
$1.39RON 6.32
4.32%
Banana(1kg)
$1.73RON 7.87
$1.72RON 7.79
0.58%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.76RON 8.01
$1.75RON 7.95
0.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.52RON 11.45
$2.40RON 10.89
5.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.01RON 4.57
$1.04RON 4.71
-2.88%
Onion(1kg)
$1.11RON 5.04
$0.96RON 4.38
15.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02RON 4.64
$0.98RON 4.47
4.08%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90RON 4.10
$0.91RON 4.13
-1.10%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.27RON 28.47
$6.35RON 28.83
-1.26%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.76RON 30.69
$6.62RON 30.05
2.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.10RON 5.00
$1.22RON 5.56
-9.84%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.87RON 8.51
$2.01RON 9.11
-6.97%
🚌 Getting Around
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.67RON 3.02
$1.12RON 5.07
-40.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.09RON 82.1
$19.94RON 90.5
-9.28%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.95RON 4.30
$0.70RON 3.20
35.71%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.70RON 3.16
$0.66RON 2.98
6.06%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.83RON 35.54
$6.79RON 30.85
15.32%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.68RON 7.63
$1.73RON 7.84
-2.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.0KRON 127.3K
$29.1KRON 132.0K
-3.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.9KRON 126.6K
$30.4KRON 137.9K
-8.21%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$187RON 850
$178RON 807
5.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.96RON 36.13
$9.16RON 41.60
-13.10%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.03RON 40.99
$11.22RON 50.9
-19.52%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.2RON 264
$55.2RON 251
5.32%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$37.53RON 170
$29.55RON 134
27.01%
Cinema Ticket
$8.16RON 37.06
$8.96RON 40.66
-8.93%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$539RON 2,448
$657RON 2,984
-17.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,309RON 37.7K
$14.5KRON 66.0K
-42.85%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.0RON 313
$81.4RON 370
-15.30%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$65.7RON 298
$45.88RON 208
43.11%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$75.8RON 344
$89.4RON 406
-15.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.3RON 360
$109RON 497
-27.60%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$589RON 2,675
$644RON 2,925
-8.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$458RON 2,080
$444RON 2,014
3.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,133RON 5,145
$1,343RON 6,095
-15.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$864RON 3,923
$847RON 3,847
1.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,572RON 11.7K
$3,941RON 17.9K
-34.74%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,018RON 9,159
$2,248RON 10.2K
-10.25%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Constanta
Bucharest
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$985RON 4,469
$1,425RON 6,467
-30.89%
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: June 7, 2026
Last update for Bucharest: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $589 in Constanta and $644 in Bucharest. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bucharest pays 45% 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: $70.0 in Constanta vs $70.0 in Bucharest for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $229 vs $233 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 2% in total monthly costs ($1,300 vs $1,331 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 45% 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: $589 in Constanta versus $644 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 $1,300 per month in Constanta versus $1,331 in Bucharest – a 2% 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 10% 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 $1,300 in Constanta versus $1,331 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 2% less than in Bucharest. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.