Cost of Living in Moldova - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Moldova
Address: MD

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $572 (excluding rent), and $1,185 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,409 (excluding rent), and $2,354 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.71 MDL 149

$5.81 MDL 99.5

$14.53 MDL 249

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.74 MDL 612

$23.83 MDL 408

$71.5 MDL 1,224

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.52 MDL 129

$6.95 MDL 119

$8.96 MDL 153

Cappuccino

$1.75 MDL 29.93

$0.89 MDL 15.22

$2.66 MDL 45.49

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

$0.96 MDL 16.38

$0.68 MDL 11.68

$1.49 MDL 25.44

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.63 MDL 10.84

$0.49 MDL 8.36

$1.21 MDL 20.80

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.72 MDL 29.46

$1.03 MDL 17.67

$3.74 MDL 64.0

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 MDL 40.33

$1.76 MDL 30.16

$3.53 MDL 60.5

Milk (1 liter)

$1.27 MDL 21.75

$0.94 MDL 16.05

$1.76 MDL 30.21

White Bread (500g)

$0.56 MDL 9.59

$0.36 MDL 6.22

$0.91 MDL 15.63

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.50 MDL 25.64

$1.07 MDL 18.31

$2.09 MDL 35.76

Eggs

$2.48 MDL 42.38

$1.27 MDL 21.80

$3.26 MDL 55.9

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.14 MDL 174

$4.98 MDL 85.2

$15.01 MDL 257

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.45 MDL 93.4

$3.59 MDL 61.4

$6.06 MDL 104

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.76 MDL 150

$5.10 MDL 87.3

$10.68 MDL 183

Apples (1kg)

$0.88 MDL 15.02

$0.60 MDL 10.25

$1.21 MDL 20.68

Banana (1kg)

$1.84 MDL 31.44

$1.18 MDL 20.21

$2.65 MDL 45.43

Oranges (1kg)

$1.70 MDL 29.07

$1.08 MDL 18.54

$2.85 MDL 48.78

Tomato (1kg)

$2.06 MDL 35.28

$0.88 MDL 15.15

$3.06 MDL 52.3

Potato (1kg)

$0.75 MDL 12.88

$0.55 MDL 9.46

$1.06 MDL 18.10

Onion (1kg)

$0.59 MDL 10.05

$0.36 MDL 6.17

$1.20 MDL 20.63

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.37 MDL 23.42

$0.59 MDL 10.14

$2.91 MDL 49.82

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.87 MDL 14.95

$0.59 MDL 10.08

$1.19 MDL 20.33

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.23 MDL 55.4

$2.93 MDL 50.2

$4.11 MDL 70.3

Wine (Bottle)

$4.75 MDL 81.4

$3.56 MDL 61.0

$8.91 MDL 153

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.24 MDL 21.26

$0.90 MDL 15.34

$1.49 MDL 25.45

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.92 MDL 32.82

$1.20 MDL 20.49

$2.68 MDL 45.82

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.34 MDL 5.77

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.67 MDL 234

$11.51 MDL 197

$23.37 MDL 400

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.08 MDL 35.59

$1.75 MDL 30.03

$2.96 MDL 50.7

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.28 MDL 4.81

$0.23 MDL 3.92

$0.56 MDL 9.63

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.36 MDL 91.8

$3.58 MDL 61.3

$7.16 MDL 123

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.38 MDL 23.63

$1.27 MDL 21.77

$1.44 MDL 24.64

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

$32.2K MDL 550.9K

$29.3K MDL 500.9K

$35.1K MDL 601.0K

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

$32.1K MDL 549.4K

$26.1K MDL 447.3K

$40.5K MDL 693.3K

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

$177 MDL 3,029

$117 MDL 2,010

$272 MDL 4,660

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

$8.03 MDL 137

$4.66 MDL 79.7

$11.64 MDL 199

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$10.98 MDL 188

$7.53 MDL 129

$15.64 MDL 268

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.34 MDL 708

$20.32 MDL 348

$116 MDL 1,988

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.64 MDL 336

$11.79 MDL 202

$35.36 MDL 605

Cinema Ticket

$6.85 MDL 117

$5.62 MDL 96.2

$8.56 MDL 147

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

$383 MDL 6,564

$236 MDL 4,045

$473 MDL 8,090

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,544 MDL 129.2K

$3,566 MDL 61.0K

$14.3K MDL 244.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.1 MDL 1,063

$34.60 MDL 592

$115 MDL 1,975

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.94 MDL 821

$23.18 MDL 397

$86.9 MDL 1,488

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$107 MDL 1,840

$58.2 MDL 996

$145 MDL 2,491

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$121 MDL 2,077

$71.1 MDL 1,218

$178 MDL 3,044

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$612 MDL 10.5K

$403 MDL 6,906

$1,170 MDL 20.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$443 MDL 7,581

$293 MDL 5,012

$586 MDL 10.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,167 MDL 20.0K

$796 MDL 13.6K

$2,273 MDL 38.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$791 MDL 13.5K

$507 MDL 8,673

$1,371 MDL 23.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,551 MDL 43.7K

$1,947 MDL 33.3K

$3,467 MDL 59.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,801 MDL 30.8K

$1,300 MDL 22.3K

$2,128 MDL 36.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$762 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: January 11, 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	$472	$989	$1,397	$1,519	143.68	197.64
2	Bender	97027	35	$424	$685	$865	$1,427	102.53	63.6
3	Cahul	39500	34	$577	$675	$1,169	$1,483	34.12	96.72
4	Calarasi	16100	35	$560	$682	$1,189	$1,501	349.53	90.34
5	Chisinau	750000	61	$584	$1,213	$1,478	$2,396	37.59	232.54
6	Cimislia	16100	42	$514	$835	$1,337	$1,629	47.62	109.42
7	Ciuciuleni	-	35	$457	$704	$1,226	$1,486	97.94	125.91
8	Cricova	10642		$26.26	$23.49	$40.35	$35.58	37.54	239.6
9	Dubasari	-	35	$532	$686	$1,471	$1,493	116.26	53.06
10	Glodeni	12000	35	$465	$687	$1,156	$1,498	67.81	122.44
11	Ialoveni	15300	39	$493	$775	$1,191	$1,717	43.28	227.73
12	Leova	10900	59	$687	$1,169	$1,303	$2,759	50.56	88.6
13	Orhei	-	34	$484	$679	$1,424	$1,456	73.11	204.53
14	Slobozia	-	35	$505	$699	$1,339	$1,504	111.54	81.84
15	Soroca	37400	34	$458	$676	$1,128	$1,456	141.91	155.74
16	Tiraspol	157917	35	$411	$699	$1,181	$1,430	27.3	62.71
17	Ungheni	38000	47	$394	$953	$887	$2,439	41.89	187.37
18	Vulcanesti	22000		$5.48	$5.59	$8.35	$8.60	126.68	152.47

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.