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 $1,035 including rent across Romania.

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,583 including rent across Romania.

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,131 including rent across Romania.

Living costs in Romania vary widely – from $802 in more affordable cities to $1,375 in major hubs, spanning a $573 range across 77 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.53 RON 50.3

$6.92 RON 30.17

$18.44 RON 80.4

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.88 RON 200

$34.41 RON 150

$91.8 RON 400

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.15 RON 35.55

$6.99 RON 30.48

$9.32 RON 40.63

Cappuccino

$2.88 RON 12.55

$1.60 RON 6.97

$4.58 RON 19.96

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

$2.04 RON 8.88

$1.17 RON 5.11

$3.51 RON 15.32

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.87 RON 8.14

$1.17 RON 5.09

$2.80 RON 12.21

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.78 RON 12.14

$1.39 RON 6.07

$4.18 RON 18.21

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.49 RON 15.23

$2.33 RON 10.15

$4.67 RON 20.35

Milk (1 liter)

$1.54 RON 6.73

$1.12 RON 4.90

$2.25 RON 9.80

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 RON 5.49

$0.82 RON 3.56

$2.09 RON 9.10

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.74 RON 7.58

$1.14 RON 4.95

$2.50 RON 10.90

Eggs

$3.30 RON 14.40

$2.13 RON 9.28

$4.44 RON 19.34

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.79 RON 38.34

$5.70 RON 24.84

$13.67 RON 59.6

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.61 RON 28.82

$4.26 RON 18.56

$7.83 RON 34.16

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.96 RON 47.79

$6.84 RON 29.80

$17.08 RON 74.5

Apples (1kg)

$1.21 RON 5.30

$0.70 RON 3.04

$1.86 RON 8.12

Banana (1kg)

$1.66 RON 7.24

$1.40 RON 6.09

$2.33 RON 10.15

Oranges (1kg)

$1.60 RON 7.00

$1.13 RON 4.94

$2.49 RON 10.86

Tomato (1kg)

$2.16 RON 9.42

$1.12 RON 4.88

$3.36 RON 14.64

Potato (1kg)

$0.96 RON 4.19

$0.59 RON 2.58

$1.41 RON 6.15

Onion (1kg)

$0.98 RON 4.27

$0.68 RON 2.95

$1.35 RON 5.90

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.98 RON 4.29

$0.60 RON 2.62

$1.43 RON 6.23

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.81 RON 3.54

$0.56 RON 2.44

$1.23 RON 5.35

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.14 RON 26.78

$5.69 RON 24.80

$6.82 RON 29.75

Wine (Bottle)

$7.10 RON 30.94

$4.73 RON 20.64

$11.83 RON 51.6

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.16 RON 5.04

$0.82 RON 3.58

$1.86 RON 8.13

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 RON 7.87

$1.17 RON 5.09

$2.80 RON 12.21

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.84 RON 3.67

$0.72 RON 3.12

$1.19 RON 5.20

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.62 RON 98.6

$18.09 RON 78.9

$33.92 RON 148

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.89 RON 3.86

$0.66 RON 2.89

$1.11 RON 4.82

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.70 RON 3.07

$0.60 RON 2.61

$1.00 RON 4.38

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.95 RON 34.65

$5.89 RON 25.69

$11.71 RON 51.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.59 RON 6.94

$1.47 RON 6.43

$1.77 RON 7.71

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

$28.3K RON 123.5K

$27.9K RON 121.7K

$29.0K RON 126.6K

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

$27.6K RON 120.2K

$26.5K RON 115.7K

$31.2K RON 136.2K

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

$165 RON 717

$116 RON 508

$265 RON 1,154

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

$8.34 RON 36.37

$4.58 RON 19.98

$13.74 RON 59.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$10.05 RON 43.80

$7.09 RON 30.91

$17.72 RON 77.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.04 RON 196

$27.95 RON 122

$69.9 RON 305

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.01 RON 91.6

$11.60 RON 50.6

$34.81 RON 152

Cinema Ticket

$8.22 RON 35.82

$5.87 RON 25.60

$11.73 RON 51.2

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

$497 RON 2,169

$344 RON 1,502

$804 RON 3,504

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,905 RON 43.2K

$6,796 RON 29.6K

$18.8K RON 82.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$70.1 RON 305

$30.15 RON 131

$123 RON 536

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.52 RON 177

$22.68 RON 98.9

$68.0 RON 297

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$82.7 RON 360

$57.3 RON 250

$115 RON 499

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$91.9 RON 401

$68.4 RON 298

$137 RON 596

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$496 RON 2,161

$348 RON 1,519

$813 RON 3,544

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$365 RON 1,591

$234 RON 1,021

$586 RON 2,553

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$844 RON 3,681

$535 RON 2,331

$1,418 RON 6,182

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$612 RON 2,669

$412 RON 1,798

$1,055 RON 4,599

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,641 RON 11.5K

$1,705 RON 7,433

$4,793 RON 20.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,965 RON 8,566

$1,387 RON 6,047

$3,377 RON 14.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,099 RON 4,791

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.84

5.59

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

Last update: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: $391 across Romania. For reference, capital rent is $643 in Bucharest, and $203 in Miercurea Ciuc.

National average salary: $924. With average costs at $1,035, the gap is significant. Expats and remote workers with foreign income benefit most.

Expect to spend about $205 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $44.00 for two.

In Bucharest (capital), expect about $1,354 per month, while Miercurea Ciuc offers the lowest costs at $802 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($1,035) is 23% below the global median of $1,339.

Average rent ($391) is 37% below the global median of $625.

Public transport ($21.00) is 36% below the global median of $33.00.

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	48	$523	$953	$1,332	$1,967	60.71	231.2
2	Alexandria	45434	43	$480	$836	$1,099	$1,929	94.28	259.74
3	Arad	159074	44	$549	$888	$1,364	$1,875	299.13	302.01
4	Bacau	144307	45	$622	$886	$1,554	$2,063	32.5	295.75
5	Baia Mare	123738	44	$564	$894	$1,399	$1,917	109.19	249.47
6	Baia Sprie	11735	49	$519	$978	$1,323	$1,939	204.68	275.33
7	Barlad	77518	52	$591	$1,028	$1,639	$2,100	25.01	253.78
8	Bistrita	75076	45	$620	$914	$1,298	$1,949	234.54	300.31
9	Bolintin-Vale	12000	57	$723	$1,129	$1,639	$2,362	236.49	164.89
10	Botosani	106847	52	$556	$1,024	$1,619	$2,059	210.36	270.56
11	Bragadiru	15000	57	$653	$1,144	$1,807	$2,453	105.92	294.77
12	Braila	180302	55	$637	$1,102	$1,606	$2,274	344.89	269.04
13	Brasov	253200	64	$695	$1,280	$1,718	$2,617	22.03	275.92
14	Bucharest	1883425	67	$727	$1,354	$1,962	$2,936	77.6	320.25
15	Buzau	115494	55	$626	$1,112	$1,652	$2,066	124.83	239.01
16	Buzias	7000	56	$596	$1,136	$1,680	$2,336	70.59	205.05
17	Calafat	18500	52	$503	$1,052	$1,384	$2,048	217.87	109.49
18	Calarasi	65181	50	$610	$1,006	$1,636	$2,030	51.9	251.11
19	Campina	41554	53	$567	$1,080	$1,793	$2,197	51.32	293.02
20	Carei	25911	52	$614	$1,036	$1,710	$2,105	241.26	244.17
21	Chitila	10866	58	$606	$1,164	$1,976	$2,453	30.63	274.79
22	Cluj-Napoca	324576	70	$670	$1,375	$1,733	$2,808	63.39	331.04
23	Constanta	283872	66	$678	$1,314	$1,855	$2,898	284.14	264.33
24	Craiova	269506	56	$601	$1,106	$1,489	$2,180	68.5	262.58
25	Cugir	28780	48	$555	$951	$1,470	$1,844	59.03	262.61
26	Dealu	3800	56	$668	$1,095	$1,577	$2,362	36.06	118.26
27	Deva	61123	44	$542	$876	$1,117	$1,760	153.45	284.13
28	Dorohoi	32778	51	$603	$1,014	$1,314	$2,044	126.42	214.37
29	Drobeta-Turnu Severin	92617	54	$772	$1,093	$1,904	$2,485	30.47	241.37
30	Focsani	97186	48	$458	$942	$1,327	$1,972	117.07	252.78
31	Galati	249432	56	$623	$1,136	$1,571	$2,327	101.93	255.36
32	Giurgiu	61353	56	$694	$1,126	$1,723	$2,332	187.8	250.46
33	Hunedoara	78675	42	$453	$852	$1,374	$1,729	60.11	259.68
34	Iasi	290422	57	$620	$1,157	$1,603	$2,326	71.48	333.42
35	Iernut	9000	51	$635	$1,010	$1,376	$2,016	15.75	253.99
36	Lehliu Gara	6000	53	$680	$1,058	$1,407	$2,150	199.85	194.52
37	Lugoj	49742	42	$522	$854	$1,193	$1,712	124.21	188.29
38	Mamaia	441	52	$606	$1,045	$1,512	$2,153	257.36	255.76
39	Mangalia	36364	52	$571	$1,041	$1,550	$2,130	36.22	275.97
40	Medias	53564	56	$687	$1,119	$1,525	$2,280	102.78	283.08
41	Miercurea Ciuc	38966	40	$569	$802	$1,088	$1,746	212.29	212.32
42	Miroslava	11000	54	$654	$1,078	$1,389	$2,210	122.24	333.84
43	Odorheiu Secuiesc	34275	53	$529	$1,062	$1,641	$2,150	64.12	203.18
44	Onesti	57333	49	$461	$983	$1,376	$1,935	32.11	204.21
45	Oradea	196367	54	$606	$1,075	$1,580	$2,154	254.76	300.54
46	Pascani	35897	56	$588	$1,117	$1,886	$2,285	154.85	233.39
47	Petrosani	51476	57	$666	$1,144	$1,753	$2,322	96.51	282.58
48	Piatra Neamt	85055	47	$592	$919	$1,594	$2,002	313.07	324.88
49	Pitesti	155383	53	$638	$1,052	$1,632	$2,098	144.93	269.77
50	Ploiesti	224406	55	$620	$1,115	$1,518	$2,136	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 $802 in budget-friendly smaller cities to $1,375 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. Miercurea Ciuc is one of the best budget options – lower costs without giving up access to essential services and everyday amenities.

$1,200 supports a modest but comfortable life in Romania's smaller cities, 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.