Cost of Living in Romania - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Romania
Address: RO

Monthly Cost of Living

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $1,047 including rent across Romania.

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,605 including rent across Romania.

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,163 including rent across Romania.

Living costs in Romania vary widely – from $787 in more affordable cities to $1,497 in major hubs, spanning a $710 range across 77 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.01 RON 49.92

$6.61 RON 29.95

$22.01 RON 99.8

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$43.92 RON 199

$32.95 RON 149

$87.8 RON 398

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.84 RON 35.55

$6.72 RON 30.49

$8.97 RON 40.65

Cappuccino

$2.91 RON 13.20

$1.54 RON 6.98

$4.61 RON 20.90

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

$2.08 RON 9.44

$1.36 RON 6.16

$3.38 RON 15.32

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.83 RON 8.28

$1.13 RON 5.12

$3.13 RON 14.19

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.48 RON 11.22

$1.35 RON 6.14

$4.50 RON 20.42

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.33 RON 15.09

$2.22 RON 10.08

$5.33 RON 24.17

Milk (1 liter)

$1.63 RON 7.37

$1.13 RON 5.10

$2.26 RON 10.25

White Bread (500g)

$1.28 RON 5.81

$0.85 RON 3.86

$2.04 RON 9.24

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.62 RON 7.33

$1.08 RON 4.91

$2.18 RON 9.87

Eggs

$3.49 RON 15.83

$2.18 RON 9.87

$4.63 RON 21.00

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.50 RON 38.55

$5.40 RON 24.46

$12.95 RON 58.7

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.83 RON 30.98

$4.29 RON 19.45

$9.03 RON 40.93

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.69 RON 48.45

$6.54 RON 29.66

$15.25 RON 69.2

Apples (1kg)

$1.27 RON 5.77

$0.68 RON 3.07

$1.82 RON 8.23

Banana (1kg)

$1.65 RON 7.48

$1.36 RON 6.18

$2.26 RON 10.26

Oranges (1kg)

$1.55 RON 7.01

$1.08 RON 4.88

$2.59 RON 11.75

Tomato (1kg)

$2.31 RON 10.47

$0.89 RON 4.02

$4.02 RON 18.20

Potato (1kg)

$0.82 RON 3.72

$0.42 RON 1.90

$1.27 RON 5.75

Onion (1kg)

$0.85 RON 3.83

$0.52 RON 2.37

$1.26 RON 5.73

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.89 RON 4.03

$0.43 RON 1.93

$1.29 RON 5.83

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.83 RON 3.77

$0.62 RON 2.81

$1.27 RON 5.76

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.33 RON 28.69

$5.45 RON 24.70

$6.98 RON 31.64

Wine (Bottle)

$6.74 RON 30.57

$4.49 RON 20.38

$10.11 RON 45.83

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.13 RON 5.14

$0.86 RON 3.90

$1.73 RON 7.84

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.66 RON 7.54

$1.08 RON 4.91

$2.61 RON 11.82

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.79 RON 3.60

$0.68 RON 3.08

$1.13 RON 5.14

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$24.16 RON 110

$17.57 RON 79.6

$39.53 RON 179

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.80 RON 3.62

$0.63 RON 2.88

$1.06 RON 4.79

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.75 RON 3.40

$0.64 RON 2.91

$1.07 RON 4.86

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.61 RON 34.50

$6.48 RON 29.39

$11.23 RON 50.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.78 RON 8.05

$1.51 RON 6.86

$1.98 RON 8.98

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

$29.2K RON 132.3K

$27.8K RON 126.0K

$29.2K RON 132.3K

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

$26.2K RON 118.9K

$25.2K RON 114.2K

$29.1K RON 131.8K

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

$165 RON 747

$109 RON 492

$261 RON 1,181

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

$8.54 RON 38.72

$4.32 RON 19.59

$14.78 RON 67.0

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$9.38 RON 42.51

$6.66 RON 30.17

$15.52 RON 70.4

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.56 RON 193

$26.47 RON 120

$66.2 RON 300

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.98 RON 86.1

$10.86 RON 49.24

$30.40 RON 138

Cinema Ticket

$7.95 RON 36.02

$5.59 RON 25.36

$11.20 RON 50.8

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

$509 RON 2,308

$337 RON 1,529

$787 RON 3,568

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,834 RON 40.1K

$5,506 RON 25.0K

$15.3K RON 69.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$72.3 RON 328

$28.53 RON 129

$110 RON 498

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.47 RON 179

$17.61 RON 79.8

$57.9 RON 262

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.9 RON 385

$56.2 RON 255

$117 RON 530

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$92.0 RON 417

$67.4 RON 306

$135 RON 611

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$488 RON 2,210

$329 RON 1,489

$767 RON 3,475

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$360 RON 1,631

$219 RON 992

$575 RON 2,608

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$805 RON 3,650

$514 RON 2,330

$1,326 RON 6,012

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$603 RON 2,733

$374 RON 1,694

$1,086 RON 4,924

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,623 RON 11.9K

$1,685 RON 7,638

$4,936 RON 22.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,885 RON 8,544

$1,308 RON 5,932

$3,560 RON 16.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,016 RON 4,605

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.01

5.9

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

Last update: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

National average salary: $900. With average costs at $1,047, the gap is significant. Expats and remote workers with foreign income benefit most.

Expect to spend about $204 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $44.00 for two.

In Bucharest (capital), expect about $1,430 per month, while Petrosani offers the lowest costs at $787 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($1,047) is 24% below the global median of $1,374.

Average rent ($394) is 40% below the global median of $661.

Public transport ($22.00) is 35% below the global median of $34.00.

By City in Romania

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	Alba Iulia	63536	44	$485	$966	$1,202	$1,981	60.71	231.2
2	Alexandria	45434	42	$497	$918	$1,224	$1,896	94.28	259.74
3	Arad	159074	43	$564	$929	$1,419	$1,990	299.13	302.01
4	Bacau	144307	46	$583	$988	$1,629	$2,348	32.5	295.75
5	Baia Mare	123738	43	$621	$923	$1,478	$1,962	109.19	249.47
6	Baia Sprie	11735	44	$526	$958	$1,348	$1,931	204.68	275.33
7	Barlad	77518	48	$634	$1,037	$1,736	$2,171	25.01	253.78
8	Bistrita	75076	40	$476	$870	$1,415	$1,845	234.54	300.31
9	Bolintin-Vale	12000	56	$712	$1,181	$1,831	$2,447	236.49	164.89
10	Botosani	106847	49	$579	$1,051	$1,345	$1,998	210.36	270.56
11	Bragadiru	15000	53	$674	$1,139	$1,807	$2,382	105.92	294.77
12	Braila	180302	56	$735	$1,217	$1,850	$2,462	344.89	269.04
13	Brasov	253200	64	$692	$1,356	$1,796	$3,078	22.03	275.92
14	Bucharest	1883425	66	$725	$1,430	$1,948	$2,833	77.6	320.25
15	Buzau	115494	48	$523	$1,049	$1,582	$2,026	124.83	239.01
16	Buzias	7000	48	$608	$1,038	$1,570	$2,119	70.59	205.05
17	Calafat	18500	49	$528	$1,053	$1,384	$2,021	217.87	109.49
18	Calarasi	65181	42	$575	$901	$1,449	$1,881	51.9	251.11
19	Campina	41554	45	$646	$980	$1,660	$2,073	51.32	293.02
20	Carei	25911	49	$594	$1,042	$1,559	$2,157	241.26	244.17
21	Chitila	10866	53	$664	$1,138	$1,775	$2,381	30.63	274.79
22	Cluj-Napoca	324576	69	$764	$1,497	$1,912	$2,972	63.39	331.04
23	Constanta	283872	62	$665	$1,340	$1,746	$2,705	284.14	264.33
24	Craiova	269506	56	$612	$1,237	$1,513	$2,314	68.5	262.58
25	Cugir	28780	43	$505	$920	$1,224	$1,779	59.03	262.61
26	Dealu	3800	51	$708	$1,124	$2,004	$2,572	36.06	118.26
27	Deva	61123	42	$647	$917	$1,578	$1,882	153.45	284.13
28	Dorohoi	32778	49	$581	$1,041	$1,503	$2,108	126.42	214.37
29	Drobeta-Turnu Severin	92617	43	$614	$921	$1,536	$2,140	30.47	241.37
30	Focsani	97186	49	$610	$1,078	$1,576	$2,344	117.07	252.78
31	Galati	249432	51	$611	$1,092	$1,542	$2,274	101.93	255.36
32	Giurgiu	61353	54	$687	$1,151	$1,752	$2,430	187.8	250.46
33	Hunedoara	78675	37	$427	$791	$1,123	$1,663	60.11	259.68
34	Iasi	290422	60	$679	$1,305	$1,696	$2,499	71.48	333.42
35	Iernut	9000	45	$555	$963	$1,429	$1,999	15.75	253.99
36	Lehliu Gara	6000	49	$603	$1,053	$1,530	$2,162	199.85	194.52
37	Lugoj	49742	38	$537	$824	$1,503	$1,774	124.21	188.29
38	Mamaia	441	48	$598	$1,017	$1,523	$2,102	257.36	255.76
39	Mangalia	36364	52	$570	$1,100	$1,570	$2,308	36.22	275.97
40	Medias	53564	54	$669	$1,153	$1,722	$2,408	102.78	283.08
41	Miercurea Ciuc	38966	36	$548	$789	$1,184	$1,708	212.29	212.32
42	Miroslava	11000	48	$575	$1,030	$1,497	$2,129	122.24	333.84
43	Odorheiu Secuiesc	34275	54	$690	$1,175	$1,712	$2,352	64.12	203.18
44	Onesti	57333	52	$613	$1,104	$1,598	$2,251	32.11	204.21
45	Oradea	196367	48	$566	$1,050	$1,451	$2,034	254.76	300.54
46	Pascani	35897	51	$607	$1,114	$1,563	$2,180	154.85	233.39
47	Petrosani	51476	36	$579	$787	$1,561	$1,685	96.51	282.58
48	Piatra Neamt	85055	41	$632	$894	$1,497	$1,794	313.07	324.88
49	Pitesti	155383	63	$817	$1,361	$2,082	$2,743	144.93	269.77
50	Ploiesti	224406	52	$648	$1,141	$1,707	$2,338	46.37	290.84

Romania 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 Romania - Frequently Asked Questions

Romania offers a mix of affordable basics and comfortable lifestyle options for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. The Cost of Living in Romania tends to be lower than in many Western cities, with price variation by city and neighborhood. Expect cheaper meals, transit, and local services outside the capital, while central hubs can feel pricier but still reasonable by global standards. Housing runs from modern serviced apartments to older, character-rich options, and long-term leases are common in major towns. Seasonal tourism and a growing coworking scene support flexible work and daily life. Tip: map out neighborhoods by vibe and amenities before choosing a base.

Daily life in Romania blends affordability with a rich local scene, especially around markets, cafes, and parks. Housing search typically centers on neighborhoods with good transit access; you’ll find a mix of newer rentals and charming, older buildings near universities or city centers. Food options range from inexpensive street meals to diverse grocery stores and farmers markets, making it easy to cook at home. Public transport is reliable in most cities, with occasional peak congestion seasonally around holidays. Co-working spaces and cafes support remote work. Romania living cost varies by city, so test a few spaces before committing. Tip: trial weekend errands to gauge neighborhood rhythms.

Quality of life in Romania can feel high when you tailor your budget to neighborhoods and seasonality. Consider a simple framework: secure a comfortable base housing while allocating allowance for groceries, utilities, and transport, with a flexible portion for activities and meals out. Off-season travel and local festivals can affect crowds and prices, so plan ahead for peak times in mountain towns or tourist spots. Neighborhood fit matters: look for near tram lines or bike-friendly streets, with easy access to supermarkets and coworking if you work remotely. Tip: join local expat groups to learn monthly rhythms and save by buying in bulk.

Romania covers a wide cost spectrum. As of 2026, monthly expenses run from about $787 in budget-friendly smaller cities to $1,497 in the priciest areas. The gap is big enough to meaningfully affect lifestyle for anyone on a fixed income.

By international standards, Romania is moderately priced. Smaller cities offer better deals, while capitals run higher. Most visitors and residents find costs manageable without extreme budgeting.

Outside the capital and tourist areas, costs in Romania drop fast. Petrosani is one of the best budget options – lower costs without giving up access to essential services and everyday amenities.

$2,000 supports a modest but comfortable life in the smaller cities of Romania, but feels tight in Bucharest. Rent is the deciding factor – keep housing costs low and the rest of the budget opens up.

Living costs in Romania are average by world standards. Regional cities offer better value than Bucharest, and most residents with steady jobs or remote income find things manageable.