Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Moldova Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Moldova

Name: Moldova
Address: MD

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,642 per month in United States vs $713 in Moldova, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $1,112 in Moldova, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,072 per month in United States vs $1,510 in Moldova, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 271% higher than in Moldova on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 98% above the global median, while Moldova is 47% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

The regional cost range is wider in United States ($1,335–$5,182) than in Moldova ($6.00–$1,217), so city choice matters more there.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.63 $19.63

$8.79 MDL 153

123.32%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$75.4 $75.4

$34.62 MDL 603

117.91%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.57 $11.57

$7.51 MDL 131

54.06%

Cappuccino

$5.22 $5.22

$1.76 MDL 30.71

196.59%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.49 $2.49

$0.96 MDL 16.78

159.38%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 $2.06

$0.64 MDL 11.06

221.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.91 $5.91

$1.76 MDL 30.72

235.80%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.13 $7.13

$2.36 MDL 41.05

202.12%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.24 MDL 21.61

-12.10%

White Bread (500g)

$3.56 $3.56

$0.52 MDL 9.04

584.62%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.74 $4.74

$1.49 MDL 25.92

218.12%

Eggs

$4.34 $4.34

$2.39 MDL 41.54

81.59%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.68 $12.68

$9.67 MDL 168

31.13%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.28 $12.28

$5.45 MDL 94.9

125.32%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.60 $16.60

$8.53 MDL 148

94.61%

Apples (1kg)

$5.16 $5.16

$0.89 MDL 15.51

479.78%

Banana (1kg)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.83 MDL 31.93

-7.10%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.45 $4.45

$1.72 MDL 29.95

158.72%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.80 $4.80

$2.04 MDL 35.52

135.29%

Potato (1kg)

$2.93 $2.93

$0.75 MDL 13.10

290.67%

Onion (1kg)

$3.09 $3.09

$0.54 MDL 9.44

472.22%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.22 $2.22

$1.36 MDL 23.63

63.24%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.25 $2.25

$0.89 MDL 15.53

152.81%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.90 $9.90

$3.30 MDL 57.4

200.00%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.28 $15.28

$4.46 MDL 77.6

242.60%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.91 $1.91

$1.25 MDL 21.70

52.80%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.58 $3.58

$1.99 MDL 34.57

79.90%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.46 $2.46

$0.36 MDL 6.34

583.33%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.6 $64.6

$13.75 MDL 239

370.11%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.77 $3.77

$2.11 MDL 36.73

78.67%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.71 $1.71

$0.26 MDL 4.53

557.69%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.08 $30.08

$5.18 MDL 90.2

480.69%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 $0.96

$1.42 MDL 24.67

-32.39%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.9K $29.9K

$32.2K MDL 560.8K

-7.29%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.1K $26.1K

$32.1K MDL 558.8K

-18.54%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$210 $210

$175 MDL 3,045

20.13%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$56.3 $56.3

$8.22 MDL 143

584.79%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.9 $72.9

$11.31 MDL 197

544.21%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.39 $45.39

$41.93 MDL 730

8.25%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.60 $21.60

$19.54 MDL 340

10.54%

Cinema Ticket

$14.04 $14.04

$6.96 MDL 121

101.72%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,377 $1,377

$374 MDL 6,515

268.09%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.4K $22.4K

$7,495 MDL 130.5K

198.35%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.7 $52.7

$64.2 MDL 1,118

-17.88%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.41 $42.41

$47.65 MDL 830

-11.00%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.8 $91.8

$109 MDL 1,906

-16.20%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 $114

$122 MDL 2,121

-6.75%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,765 $1,765

$618 MDL 10.8K

185.36%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,462 $1,462

$449 MDL 7,814

225.84%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,849 $2,849

$1,181 MDL 20.6K

141.26%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,369 $2,369

$773 MDL 13.5K

206.42%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,364 $3,364

$2,512 MDL 43.7K

33.92%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,665 $2,665

$1,809 MDL 31.5K

47.30%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,378 $4,378

$770 MDL 13.4K

468.24%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

9.18

-29.08%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for United States: July 12, 2026

Last update for Moldova: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,635 in United States vs $207 in Moldova. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,625 in Washington, MI and $673 in Chisinau.

Average salary: $4,500 in United States vs $556 in Moldova. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 690% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 152% more in United States.

Public transport is 733% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 709% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in United States.

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

United States vs Moldova: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Moldova is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 433% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Moldova, contributing to the overall 433% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$2,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Moldova, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

Moldova is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.