πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,033 in Iernut versus $1,336 in Bucharest.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,531 in Iernut versus $2,162 in Bucharest.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,029 in Iernut versus $2,988 in Bucharest.
πLiving in Iernut costs roughly 23% less than in Bucharest, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Iernut is 23% below, Bucharest is 0% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Iernut
Bucharest
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.37RONΒ 37.84
$13.58RONΒ 61.4
-38.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$40.27RONΒ 182
$68.1RONΒ 308
-40.89%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.24RONΒ 37.23
$8.05RONΒ 36.38
2.36%
Cappuccino
$2.30RONΒ 10.41
$3.40RONΒ 15.36
-32.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33RONΒ 5.99
$2.32RONΒ 10.50
-42.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.14RONΒ 5.15
$2.38RONΒ 10.74
-52.10%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.31RONΒ 10.45
$3.54RONΒ 15.99
-34.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81RONΒ 12.70
$4.01RONΒ 18.14
-29.93%
π Groceries & Markets
Iernut
Bucharest
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.55RONΒ 7.01
$1.74RONΒ 7.88
-10.92%
White Bread(500g)
$1.22RONΒ 5.54
$1.42RONΒ 6.42
-14.08%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.60RONΒ 7.22
$1.93RONΒ 8.73
-17.10%
Eggs
$3.06RONΒ 13.84
$3.54RONΒ 15.99
-13.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.46RONΒ 38.25
$9.27RONΒ 41.90
-8.74%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.01RONΒ 31.70
$7.13RONΒ 32.21
-1.68%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.12RONΒ 54.8
$12.28RONΒ 55.5
-1.30%
Apples(1kg)
$1.03RONΒ 4.65
$1.35RONΒ 6.11
-23.70%
Banana(1kg)
$1.31RONΒ 5.94
$1.74RONΒ 7.86
-24.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52RONΒ 6.89
$1.76RONΒ 7.98
-13.64%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.94RONΒ 8.76
$2.40RONΒ 10.83
-19.17%
Potato(1kg)
$0.88RONΒ 3.97
$1.05RONΒ 4.72
-16.19%
Onion(1kg)
$0.86RONΒ 3.90
$0.96RONΒ 4.35
-10.42%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.79RONΒ 3.56
$0.92RONΒ 4.15
-14.13%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80RONΒ 3.62
$0.91RONΒ 4.09
-12.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.81RONΒ 26.25
$6.38RONΒ 28.82
-8.93%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.87RONΒ 35.57
$6.45RONΒ 29.16
22.02%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.09RONΒ 4.92
$1.22RONΒ 5.51
-10.66%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68RONΒ 7.60
$1.98RONΒ 8.95
-15.15%
π Getting Around
Iernut
Bucharest
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.70RONΒ 3.17
$1.16RONΒ 5.27
-39.66%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.48RONΒ 88.1
$19.48RONΒ 88.0
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.77RONΒ 3.48
$0.72RONΒ 3.25
6.94%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.75RONΒ 3.40
$0.62RONΒ 2.79
20.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.74RONΒ 30.47
$6.94RONΒ 31.35
-2.88%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.61RONΒ 7.27
$1.71RONΒ 7.75
-5.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.6KRONΒ 124.8K
$29.0KRONΒ 131.0K
-4.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.3KRONΒ 127.9K
$30.3KRONΒ 137.0K
-6.59%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Iernut
Bucharest
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$167RONΒ 753
$178RONΒ 803
-6.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.31RONΒ 37.57
$9.16RONΒ 41.40
-9.28%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.18RONΒ 41.50
$11.12RONΒ 50.3
-17.45%
π Sport & Entertainment
Iernut
Bucharest
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.12RONΒ 190
$54.7RONΒ 247
-22.94%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.50RONΒ 88.1
$29.04RONΒ 131
-32.85%
Cinema Ticket
$5.86RONΒ 26.50
$9.27RONΒ 41.92
-36.79%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Iernut
Bucharest
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$449RONΒ 2,028
$677RONΒ 3,060
-33.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,609RONΒ 29.9K
$14.9KRONΒ 67.2K
-55.51%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Iernut
Bucharest
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.9RONΒ 298
$79.8RONΒ 361
-17.44%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.16RONΒ 145
$45.29RONΒ 205
-28.99%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$73.6RONΒ 332
$89.2RONΒ 403
-17.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.8RONΒ 370
$109RONΒ 493
-25.06%
π Accommodation & Living
Iernut
Bucharest
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$384RONΒ 1,735
$662RONΒ 2,992
-42.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$293RONΒ 1,326
$432RONΒ 1,953
-32.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$580RONΒ 2,624
$1,355RONΒ 6,126
-57.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$435RONΒ 1,965
$841RONΒ 3,802
-48.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,694RONΒ 7,657
$3,857RONΒ 17.4K
-56.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,579RONΒ 7,138
$2,305RONΒ 10.4K
-31.48%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Iernut
Bucharest
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$1,463RONΒ 6,615
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.7
7.1
8.45%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Iernut: June 1, 2026
Last update for Bucharest: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $384 in Iernut and $662 in Bucharest. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $40.00 in Iernut vs $68.0 in Bucharest for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $214 vs $233 per month, with Iernut 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
Iernut vs Bucharest: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Iernut and Bucharest?
Iernut and Bucharest differ by about 29% in total monthly costs ($1,033 vs $1,336 including rent). Iernut is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Iernut compared to Bucharest?
You'd need roughly $1,549 in Iernut and $2,004 in Bucharest to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Iernut and Bucharest?
Rent for a central apartment: $384 in Iernut versus $662 in Bucharest. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Iernut or Bucharest?
All in, you'll spend $1,033 per month in Iernut versus $1,336 in Bucharest β a 29% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Iernut and Bucharest?
A monthly transit pass in Iernut runs roughly 0% 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 $1,033 in Iernut versus $1,336 in Bucharest, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Iernut but tight or insufficient in Bucharest. The gap between the two cities makes Iernut the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Iernut and Bucharest?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Iernut or Bucharest?
Expats usually find Iernut gentler on the wallet β expenses run 29% less than in Bucharest. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.