Cost of Living in Moldova - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Moldova
Address: MD

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $573 (excluding rent), and $1,173 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,419 (excluding rent), and $2,345 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.00 MDL 154

$6.00 MDL 103

$15.00 MDL 257

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.46 MDL 607

$23.64 MDL 404

$70.9 MDL 1,213

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.64 MDL 131

$7.06 MDL 121

$9.11 MDL 156

Cappuccino

$1.77 MDL 30.26

$0.90 MDL 15.39

$2.69 MDL 46.00

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

$0.91 MDL 15.56

$0.65 MDL 11.09

$1.41 MDL 24.16

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.62 MDL 10.62

$0.48 MDL 8.18

$1.19 MDL 20.38

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.79 MDL 30.68

$1.08 MDL 18.41

$3.89 MDL 66.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 MDL 40.61

$1.78 MDL 30.37

$3.56 MDL 60.9

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 MDL 22.18

$0.96 MDL 16.37

$1.80 MDL 30.80

White Bread (500g)

$0.53 MDL 9.04

$0.34 MDL 5.86

$0.86 MDL 14.73

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.50 MDL 25.73

$1.07 MDL 18.38

$2.10 MDL 35.89

Eggs

$2.51 MDL 42.88

$1.29 MDL 22.05

$3.30 MDL 56.5

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.73 MDL 166

$4.78 MDL 81.7

$14.40 MDL 246

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.42 MDL 92.8

$3.57 MDL 61.0

$6.02 MDL 103

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.51 MDL 146

$4.96 MDL 84.8

$10.37 MDL 177

Apples (1kg)

$0.88 MDL 15.01

$0.60 MDL 10.24

$1.21 MDL 20.66

Banana (1kg)

$1.87 MDL 32.07

$1.20 MDL 20.61

$2.71 MDL 46.34

Oranges (1kg)

$1.71 MDL 29.21

$1.09 MDL 18.63

$2.86 MDL 49.02

Tomato (1kg)

$2.00 MDL 34.30

$0.86 MDL 14.72

$2.97 MDL 50.9

Potato (1kg)

$0.77 MDL 13.25

$0.57 MDL 9.73

$1.09 MDL 18.61

Onion (1kg)

$0.55 MDL 9.33

$0.33 MDL 5.73

$1.12 MDL 19.15

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.32 MDL 22.63

$0.57 MDL 9.80

$2.81 MDL 48.13

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.88 MDL 15.07

$0.59 MDL 10.17

$1.20 MDL 20.51

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.18 MDL 54.4

$2.88 MDL 49.35

$4.04 MDL 69.1

Wine (Bottle)

$4.75 MDL 81.2

$3.56 MDL 61.0

$9.48 MDL 162

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.25 MDL 21.36

$0.90 MDL 15.40

$1.49 MDL 25.56

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 MDL 34.67

$1.27 MDL 21.65

$2.83 MDL 48.40

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.33 MDL 5.72

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.51 MDL 231

$11.37 MDL 195

$23.09 MDL 395

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.01 MDL 34.43

$1.70 MDL 29.06

$2.87 MDL 49.05

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.26 MDL 4.42

$0.21 MDL 3.60

$0.52 MDL 8.85

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.12 MDL 87.6

$3.42 MDL 58.5

$6.83 MDL 117

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.37 MDL 23.43

$1.26 MDL 21.59

$1.43 MDL 24.44

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

$32.3K MDL 552.7K

$29.4K MDL 502.5K

$35.2K MDL 602.9K

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

$31.8K MDL 544.4K

$25.9K MDL 443.2K

$40.2K MDL 687.0K

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

$174 MDL 2,981

$116 MDL 1,979

$268 MDL 4,587

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

$7.96 MDL 136

$4.62 MDL 79.0

$11.54 MDL 197

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$10.91 MDL 187

$7.48 MDL 128

$15.53 MDL 266

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.75 MDL 714

$20.52 MDL 351

$117 MDL 2,006

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.45 MDL 333

$11.68 MDL 200

$35.02 MDL 599

Cinema Ticket

$6.99 MDL 120

$5.73 MDL 98.1

$8.73 MDL 149

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

$376 MDL 6,431

$232 MDL 3,963

$463 MDL 7,926

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,557 MDL 129.3K

$3,572 MDL 61.1K

$14.3K MDL 244.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61.7 MDL 1,056

$34.42 MDL 589

$115 MDL 1,963

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.21 MDL 825

$23.31 MDL 399

$87.4 MDL 1,496

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$106 MDL 1,821

$57.6 MDL 986

$144 MDL 2,465

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$121 MDL 2,066

$70.8 MDL 1,211

$177 MDL 3,027

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$600 MDL 10.3K

$395 MDL 6,764

$1,146 MDL 19.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$443 MDL 7,571

$293 MDL 5,006

$585 MDL 10.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,177 MDL 20.1K

$803 MDL 13.7K

$2,294 MDL 39.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$765 MDL 13.1K

$490 MDL 8,387

$1,326 MDL 22.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,520 MDL 43.1K

$1,973 MDL 33.8K

$3,250 MDL 55.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,810 MDL 31.0K

$1,189 MDL 20.4K

$2,379 MDL 40.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$750 MDL 12.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.18

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

Last update: April 12, 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	$567	$1,006	$1,461	$1,534	18.71	237.91
2	Bender	97027	35	$377	$701	$1,043	$1,409	87.28	65.82
3	Cahul	39500	34	$570	$682	$1,497	$1,462	212.24	161.99
4	Calarasi	16100	35	$549	$687	$1,175	$1,459	30.18	144.33
5	Chisinau	750000	61	$573	$1,216	$1,478	$2,405	104.16	246.05
6	Cimislia	16100	42	$475	$864	$1,309	$1,681	68.65	168.48
7	Ciuciuleni	-	35	$513	$685	$1,422	$1,475	67.33	149.14
8	Cricova	10642		$25.72	$23.19	$39.22	$34.64	2.49	183.26
9	Dubasari	-	35	$543	$699	$1,259	$1,464	133.74	63.03
10	Glodeni	12000	35	$454	$687	$1,314	$1,452	86.44	170.55
11	Ialoveni	15300	39	$419	$765	$1,215	$1,718	43	220.32
12	Leova	10900	59	$605	$1,185	$1,279	$2,784	90.16	195.96
13	Orhei	-	34	$461	$696	$1,277	$1,453	8.89	191.7
14	Slobozia	-	35	$517	$706	$1,201	$1,506	46.39	193.64
15	Soroca	37400	34	$551	$677	$1,223	$1,491	104.75	179.29
16	Tiraspol	157917	35	$447	$707	$953	$1,428	18.78	70.18
17	Ungheni	38000	47	$386	$954	$1,147	$2,490	118.87	175.1
18	Vulcanesti	22000		$6.01	$5.53	$7.82	$8.44	150.02	210.36

Moldova Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 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.