Cost of Living in Moldova - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Moldova
Address: MD

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $569 (excluding rent), and $1,162 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,396 (excluding rent), and $2,347 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.02 MDL 154

$6.02 MDL 103

$15.04 MDL 257

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.52 MDL 607

$23.68 MDL 405

$71.0 MDL 1,215

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.46 MDL 128

$6.89 MDL 118

$8.89 MDL 152

Cappuccino

$1.68 MDL 28.71

$0.85 MDL 14.61

$2.55 MDL 43.65

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

$0.90 MDL 15.34

$0.64 MDL 10.93

$1.39 MDL 23.83

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.63 MDL 10.85

$0.49 MDL 8.36

$1.22 MDL 20.82

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.74 MDL 29.73

$1.04 MDL 17.84

$3.78 MDL 64.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.30 MDL 39.38

$1.72 MDL 29.45

$3.45 MDL 59.1

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 MDL 22.15

$0.96 MDL 16.35

$1.80 MDL 30.76

White Bread (500g)

$0.56 MDL 9.52

$0.36 MDL 6.17

$0.91 MDL 15.52

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.43 MDL 24.45

$1.02 MDL 17.47

$1.99 MDL 34.10

Eggs

$2.42 MDL 41.37

$1.24 MDL 21.28

$3.19 MDL 54.5

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.06 MDL 172

$4.94 MDL 84.4

$14.88 MDL 254

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.39 MDL 92.3

$3.55 MDL 60.7

$5.99 MDL 102

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.43 MDL 144

$4.91 MDL 83.9

$10.27 MDL 176

Apples (1kg)

$0.89 MDL 15.21

$0.61 MDL 10.38

$1.22 MDL 20.93

Banana (1kg)

$1.79 MDL 30.60

$1.15 MDL 19.67

$2.59 MDL 44.22

Oranges (1kg)

$1.72 MDL 29.34

$1.09 MDL 18.72

$2.88 MDL 49.24

Tomato (1kg)

$2.11 MDL 36.05

$0.91 MDL 15.48

$3.13 MDL 53.5

Potato (1kg)

$0.82 MDL 13.95

$0.60 MDL 10.24

$1.15 MDL 19.60

Onion (1kg)

$0.55 MDL 9.40

$0.34 MDL 5.77

$1.13 MDL 19.30

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.36 MDL 23.19

$0.59 MDL 10.04

$2.88 MDL 49.32

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.84 MDL 14.45

$0.57 MDL 9.74

$1.15 MDL 19.65

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.30 MDL 56.4

$2.99 MDL 51.2

$4.19 MDL 71.7

Wine (Bottle)

$4.78 MDL 81.8

$3.59 MDL 61.4

$8.98 MDL 154

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)

$1.95 MDL 33.40

$1.22 MDL 20.86

$2.73 MDL 46.63

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.33 MDL 5.70

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.64 MDL 233

$11.49 MDL 196

$23.33 MDL 399

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.08 MDL 35.61

$1.76 MDL 30.05

$2.97 MDL 50.7

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.26 MDL 4.41

$0.21 MDL 3.59

$0.52 MDL 8.82

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.21 MDL 89.1

$3.48 MDL 59.4

$6.95 MDL 119

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.36 MDL 23.22

$1.25 MDL 21.40

$1.42 MDL 24.22

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

$32.4K MDL 554.9K

$29.5K MDL 504.4K

$35.4K MDL 605.3K

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

$31.5K MDL 538.2K

$25.6K MDL 438.2K

$39.7K MDL 679.2K

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

$176 MDL 3,013

$117 MDL 2,000

$271 MDL 4,636

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

$8.13 MDL 139

$4.71 MDL 80.6

$11.79 MDL 202

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$11.03 MDL 189

$7.56 MDL 129

$15.71 MDL 269

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.50 MDL 710

$20.40 MDL 349

$117 MDL 1,993

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.86 MDL 340

$11.92 MDL 204

$35.76 MDL 611

Cinema Ticket

$7.14 MDL 122

$5.85 MDL 100

$8.91 MDL 152

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

$380 MDL 6,490

$234 MDL 4,000

$468 MDL 8,000

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,507 MDL 128.4K

$3,548 MDL 60.7K

$14.2K MDL 242.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.7 MDL 1,071

$34.93 MDL 597

$116 MDL 1,991

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.13 MDL 823

$23.27 MDL 398

$87.3 MDL 1,492

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$107 MDL 1,829

$57.9 MDL 991

$145 MDL 2,477

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$120 MDL 2,053

$70.4 MDL 1,204

$176 MDL 3,009

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$603 MDL 10.3K

$397 MDL 6,795

$1,152 MDL 19.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$436 MDL 7,461

$288 MDL 4,933

$577 MDL 9,866

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,192 MDL 20.4K

$813 MDL 13.9K

$2,322 MDL 39.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$790 MDL 13.5K

$506 MDL 8,651

$1,369 MDL 23.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,644 MDL 45.2K

$2,024 MDL 34.6K

$3,579 MDL 61.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,784 MDL 30.5K

$1,292 MDL 22.1K

$2,115 MDL 36.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$751 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: January 20, 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	$470	$980	$1,164	$1,482	143.68	197.64
2	Bender	97027	35	$437	$686	$1,023	$1,409	102.53	63.6
3	Cahul	39500	34	$523	$672	$1,406	$1,502	34.12	96.72
4	Calarasi	16100	35	$499	$698	$1,241	$1,488	349.53	90.34
5	Chisinau	750000	61	$587	$1,224	$1,474	$2,470	37.59	232.54
6	Cimislia	16100	42	$571	$834	$1,239	$1,674	47.62	109.42
7	Ciuciuleni	-	35	$548	$698	$1,387	$1,464	97.94	125.91
8	Cricova	10642		$22.94	$23.24	$32.04	$35.44	37.54	239.6
9	Dubasari	-	35	$575	$693	$1,181	$1,493	116.26	53.06
10	Glodeni	12000	35	$538	$692	$1,135	$1,466	67.81	122.44
11	Ialoveni	15300	39	$522	$781	$1,265	$1,715	43.28	227.73
12	Leova	10900	59	$552	$1,162	$1,311	$2,825	50.56	88.6
13	Orhei	-	34	$582	$699	$1,248	$1,485	73.11	204.53
14	Slobozia	-	35	$577	$707	$1,210	$1,477	111.54	81.84
15	Soroca	37400	34	$583	$677	$1,161	$1,481	141.91	155.74
16	Tiraspol	157917	35	$475	$708	$1,223	$1,412	27.3	62.71
17	Ungheni	38000	47	$364	$923	$1,075	$2,442	41.89	187.37
18	Vulcanesti	22000		$5.55	$5.50	$8.38	$8.63	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.