Cost of Living in Moldova - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Moldova
Address: MD

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $572 (excluding rent), and $1,162 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,421 (excluding rent), and $2,368 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.72 MDL 150

$5.82 MDL 99.8

$14.54 MDL 249

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.18 MDL 603

$23.45 MDL 402

$70.4 MDL 1,207

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.39 MDL 127

$6.83 MDL 117

$8.82 MDL 151

Cappuccino

$1.74 MDL 29.90

$0.89 MDL 15.21

$2.65 MDL 45.46

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

$0.90 MDL 15.35

$0.64 MDL 10.94

$1.39 MDL 23.84

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.60 MDL 10.21

$0.46 MDL 7.87

$1.14 MDL 19.58

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.73 MDL 29.70

$1.04 MDL 17.82

$3.76 MDL 64.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 MDL 40.38

$1.76 MDL 30.20

$3.53 MDL 60.6

Milk (1 liter)

$1.28 MDL 21.93

$0.94 MDL 16.19

$1.78 MDL 30.46

White Bread (500g)

$0.52 MDL 9.00

$0.34 MDL 5.84

$0.86 MDL 14.67

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.49 MDL 25.52

$1.06 MDL 18.23

$2.08 MDL 35.59

Eggs

$2.42 MDL 41.54

$1.25 MDL 21.37

$3.19 MDL 54.8

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.65 MDL 165

$4.74 MDL 81.2

$14.27 MDL 245

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.34 MDL 91.6

$3.51 MDL 60.3

$5.94 MDL 102

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.68 MDL 149

$5.05 MDL 86.7

$10.58 MDL 181

Apples (1kg)

$0.83 MDL 14.31

$0.57 MDL 9.77

$1.15 MDL 19.70

Banana (1kg)

$1.79 MDL 30.72

$1.15 MDL 19.75

$2.59 MDL 44.39

Oranges (1kg)

$1.77 MDL 30.41

$1.13 MDL 19.40

$2.98 MDL 51.0

Tomato (1kg)

$2.09 MDL 35.76

$0.90 MDL 15.35

$3.09 MDL 53.0

Potato (1kg)

$0.78 MDL 13.37

$0.57 MDL 9.82

$1.10 MDL 18.79

Onion (1kg)

$0.56 MDL 9.57

$0.34 MDL 5.88

$1.15 MDL 19.65

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.36 MDL 23.37

$0.59 MDL 10.11

$2.90 MDL 49.70

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.88 MDL 15.02

$0.59 MDL 10.13

$1.19 MDL 20.43

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.29 MDL 56.5

$2.98 MDL 51.2

$4.18 MDL 71.7

Wine (Bottle)

$4.71 MDL 80.8

$3.54 MDL 60.6

$8.82 MDL 151

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.25 MDL 21.50

$0.90 MDL 15.51

$1.50 MDL 25.73

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.01 MDL 34.54

$1.26 MDL 21.57

$2.81 MDL 48.22

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.34 MDL 5.77

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.47 MDL 231

$11.34 MDL 195

$23.03 MDL 395

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.08 MDL 35.61

$1.75 MDL 30.05

$2.96 MDL 50.7

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.28 MDL 4.84

$0.23 MDL 3.94

$0.56 MDL 9.67

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.40 MDL 92.5

$3.60 MDL 61.7

$7.20 MDL 123

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.36 MDL 23.41

$1.26 MDL 21.57

$1.42 MDL 24.41

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

$32.0K MDL 548.6K

$29.1K MDL 498.7K

$34.9K MDL 598.4K

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

$31.1K MDL 533.3K

$25.3K MDL 434.2K

$39.2K MDL 673.0K

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

$179 MDL 3,063

$119 MDL 2,033

$275 MDL 4,712

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

$7.84 MDL 135

$4.55 MDL 78.0

$11.37 MDL 195

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$11.12 MDL 191

$7.62 MDL 131

$15.83 MDL 271

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.71 MDL 715

$20.50 MDL 352

$117 MDL 2,009

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.14 MDL 328

$11.49 MDL 197

$34.45 MDL 591

Cinema Ticket

$6.98 MDL 120

$5.73 MDL 98.3

$8.72 MDL 150

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

$386 MDL 6,625

$238 MDL 4,083

$476 MDL 8,166

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,377 MDL 126.5K

$3,487 MDL 59.8K

$13.9K MDL 239.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.2 MDL 1,083

$35.20 MDL 604

$117 MDL 2,012

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.87 MDL 838

$23.63 MDL 405

$88.6 MDL 1,520

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$109 MDL 1,871

$59.1 MDL 1,013

$148 MDL 2,534

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$121 MDL 2,083

$71.2 MDL 1,221

$178 MDL 3,053

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$600 MDL 10.3K

$395 MDL 6,779

$1,146 MDL 19.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$438 MDL 7,505

$289 MDL 4,962

$579 MDL 9,924

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,174 MDL 20.1K

$800 MDL 13.7K

$2,287 MDL 39.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$773 MDL 13.3K

$495 MDL 8,487

$1,339 MDL 23.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,549 MDL 43.7K

$2,001 MDL 34.3K

$3,516 MDL 60.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,756 MDL 30.1K

$1,182 MDL 20.3K

$2,365 MDL 40.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$756 MDL 13.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.18

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

Last update: February 28, 2026

By City in Moldova

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Balti	144800	50	$583	$986	$1,248	$1,524	143.68	197.64
2	Bender	97027	35	$470	$698	$1,029	$1,384	102.53	63.6
3	Cahul	39500	34	$527	$689	$1,326	$1,476	34.12	96.72
4	Calarasi	16100	35	$440	$695	$1,338	$1,502	349.53	90.34
5	Chisinau	750000	61	$571	$1,240	$1,430	$2,400	37.59	232.54
6	Cimislia	16100	42	$480	$847	$1,124	$1,678	47.62	109.42
7	Ciuciuleni	-	35	$586	$688	$1,295	$1,464	97.94	125.91
8	Cricova	10642		$25.66	$22.82	$33.35	$34.73	37.54	239.6
9	Dubasari	-	35	$455	$693	$1,133	$1,470	116.26	53.06
10	Glodeni	12000	35	$457	$686	$1,302	$1,474	67.81	122.44
11	Ialoveni	15300	39	$442	$763	$1,178	$1,759	43.28	227.73
12	Leova	10900	59	$660	$1,181	$1,392	$2,843	50.56	88.6
13	Orhei	-	34	$574	$684	$1,385	$1,501	73.11	204.53
14	Slobozia	-	35	$545	$701	$1,164	$1,466	111.54	81.84
15	Soroca	37400	34	$484	$694	$1,196	$1,476	141.91	155.74
16	Tiraspol	157917	35	$413	$690	$1,126	$1,451	27.3	62.71
17	Ungheni	38000	47	$413	$942	$874	$2,487	41.89	187.37
18	Vulcanesti	22000		$5.60	$5.51	$9.45	$8.78	126.68	152.47

Moldova Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Moldova - Frequently Asked Questions

Overall, Moldova offers a favorable cost of living for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want value without sacrificing access to culture. Central cities like Chișinău can be more affordable than many European capitals, while smaller towns offer even gentler budgets and slower pace. The Cost of Living in Moldova is shaped by housing options, utility costs, and local groceries, all of which tend to be approachable for long stays. You can balance monthly needs by mixing budget-friendly markets, seasonal produce, and shared workspaces outside peak tourist weeks. Tip: Start with a short-term apartment in a district that suits your routine, then explore nearby neighborhoods to compare vibe and costs.

In Moldova, daily life blends affordability with rich local flavor. House-hunting often yields practical options in central Chișinău or quieter suburbs, with longer leases offering better terms. For meals, you can mix bulk groceries from markets with casual eateries featuring traditional dishes. Public transport is affordable and relatively reliable, while walking and cycling let you blend in with street life. Co-working venues offer flexible day passes, plus cafés with reliable Wi‑Fi. The Moldova living cost becomes clear when you compare rent, utilities, and groceries across neighborhoods, especially during seasonal changes when heating or cooling spikes bills. Tip: Create a two-week trial itinerary to compare neighborhoods before committing.

Budgeting for a comfortable Moldova stay relies on a simple, adaptable framework. Start with core categories – housing, food, transport, and utilities – and assign flexible limits that adjust with the season. In winter, heating can shift usage; summer can bring occasional cooling costs, so build a buffer. Neighborhood fit matters: Chișinău's core districts are convenient but pricier, while outlying areas save funds and add quiet streets. Buying from local markets and cooking at home yields better value than frequent dining out. Free or low-cost cultural events, libraries, and coworking day passes help you stay connected without overspending. Tip: Set a recurring monthly review to reallocate funds as you learn neighborhood rhythms and seasonal needs.