Last update: Oct 2026 19.1M

Cost of Living in Romania

Name: Romania
Address: RO

Across Romania, living costs for one person average $1,151 a month, including rent and utilities, which take just under half of the total. Other living expenses average about $20 a day.

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🇷🇴 Romania

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Romania

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Romania actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $1,151 including rent across Romania.

$1,151 /mo

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,715 including rent across Romania.

$1,715 /mo

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,280 including rent across Romania.

$2,280 /mo

Living costs in Romania vary widely – from $737 in the most affordable city to $1,424 in the most expensive one, spanning a $687 range across 77 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.62 RON 50.8

$6.38 RON 30.47

$21.26 RON 102

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$41.31 RON 197

$30.99 RON 148

$82.6 RON 395

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.49 RON 35.78

$6.42 RON 30.66

$8.56 RON 40.90

Cappuccino

$2.85 RON 13.63

$1.50 RON 7.18

$4.71 RON 22.52

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

$2.03 RON 9.68

$1.28 RON 6.13

$3.20 RON 15.27

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.74 RON 8.34

$1.07 RON 5.09

$2.77 RON 13.23

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.36 RON 11.25

$1.28 RON 6.14

$4.27 RON 20.41

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.18 RON 15.20

$2.13 RON 10.17

$5.10 RON 24.35

Milk (1 liter)

$1.51 RON 7.23

$1.07 RON 5.10

$2.13 RON 10.19

White Bread (500g)

$1.16 RON 5.55

$0.77 RON 3.69

$1.85 RON 8.82

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.53 RON 7.33

$1.03 RON 4.90

$2.05 RON 9.80

Eggs

$3.28 RON 15.66

$2.04 RON 9.74

$4.09 RON 19.54

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.42 RON 40.25

$5.32 RON 25.41

$12.77 RON 61.0

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.23 RON 29.77

$3.88 RON 18.54

$8.18 RON 39.09

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.24 RON 48.95

$6.17 RON 29.49

$14.82 RON 70.8

Apples (1kg)

$1.16 RON 5.57

$0.62 RON 2.97

$1.66 RON 7.92

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 RON 7.20

$1.24 RON 5.93

$2.07 RON 9.88

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 RON 7.27

$1.06 RON 5.06

$2.54 RON 12.14

Tomato (1kg)

$2.12 RON 10.11

$0.82 RON 3.91

$3.67 RON 17.56

Potato (1kg)

$0.78 RON 3.74

$0.40 RON 1.91

$1.20 RON 5.74

Onion (1kg)

$0.81 RON 3.86

$0.51 RON 2.42

$1.23 RON 5.86

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.90 RON 4.29

$0.43 RON 2.05

$1.29 RON 6.15

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.83 RON 3.99

$0.64 RON 3.07

$1.28 RON 6.13

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.25 RON 29.88

$5.39 RON 25.75

$6.90 RON 32.98

Wine (Bottle)

$6.38 RON 30.50

$4.25 RON 20.31

$9.57 RON 45.72

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.09 RON 5.22

$0.83 RON 3.95

$1.65 RON 7.90

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.61 RON 7.67

$1.06 RON 5.07

$2.54 RON 12.16

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.70 RON 3.32

$0.60 RON 2.87

$1.00 RON 4.78

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$23.20 RON 111

$16.87 RON 80.6

$44.93 RON 215

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.87 RON 4.16

$0.65 RON 3.12

$1.14 RON 5.45

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.85 RON 4.06

$0.64 RON 3.05

$1.11 RON 5.32

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.25 RON 34.65

$6.19 RON 29.60

$10.84 RON 51.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.81 RON 8.67

$1.46 RON 6.96

$2.08 RON 9.95

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

$28.9K RON 138.2K

$29.0K RON 138.3K

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

$25.0K RON 119.6K

$24.0K RON 114.6K

$25.8K RON 123.2K

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

$161 RON 771

$106 RON 508

$255 RON 1,220

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

$8.04 RON 38.40

$3.43 RON 16.37

$15.01 RON 71.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$8.80 RON 42.03

$6.35 RON 30.35

$13.98 RON 66.8

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.08 RON 196

$27.46 RON 131

$63.4 RON 303

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.76 RON 89.6

$10.46 RON 49.96

$31.38 RON 150

Cinema Ticket

$7.22 RON 34.48

$5.15 RON 24.62

$10.30 RON 49.23

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

$481 RON 2,298

$340 RON 1,627

$745 RON 3,558

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.6K RON 55.5K

$6,181 RON 29.5K

$21.9K RON 104.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$71.2 RON 340

$26.61 RON 127

$111 RON 529

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.45 RON 179

$16.67 RON 79.6

$58.3 RON 279

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.2 RON 378

$52.0 RON 249

$115 RON 547

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$86.0 RON 411

$63.4 RON 303

$127 RON 606

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$491 RON 2,344

$310 RON 1,480

$788 RON 3,764

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$384 RON 1,835

$233 RON 1,115

$598 RON 2,856

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$782 RON 3,736

$523 RON 2,501

$1,256 RON 6,002

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$592 RON 2,827

$383 RON 1,832

$1,022 RON 4,883

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,516 RON 12.0K

$1,687 RON 8,061

$4,676 RON 22.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,798 RON 8,591

$1,246 RON 5,953

$3,290 RON 15.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$995 RON 4,756

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.97

5.9

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

Last update: October 31, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Romania $1,151

Accommodation & Living

$384 33.4%

Groceries & Markets

$204 17.7%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$178 15.5%

Eating Out

$175 15.2%

Clothing & Footwear

$123 10.7%

Sport & Entertainment

$56 4.8%

Getting Around

$31 2.7%

Cost Breakdown

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: $391 in Romania. For reference, capital rent is $731 in Bucharest, and $192 in Miercurea Ciuc.

National average salary: $862. With average costs at $1,151, it doesn’t cover a typical monthly budget. Expats and remote workers with foreign income benefit most.

Expect to spend about $193 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $42 for two.

In Bucharest (capital), expect about $1,371 per month, while Miercurea Ciuc offers the lowest costs at $737 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($1,151) is 15% below the global median of $1,352.

Average rent ($391) is 41% below the global median of $664.

Public transport ($23) is 30% below the global median of $33.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

00:42 12:42 AM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

19,053,815

💱 Currency

Romanian Leu RON lei

📈 Exchange rate

1 RON = 0.209 USD

1 RON = 0.187 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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	43	$493	$898	$1,254	$1,851	60.71	231.2
2	Alexandria	45434	41	$508	$862	$1,254	$1,786	94.28	259.74
3	Arad	159074	47	$542	$982	$1,362	$1,892	299.13	302.01
4	Bacau	144307	44	$577	$924	$1,681	$2,189	32.5	295.75
5	Baia Mare	123738	47	$590	$963	$1,450	$2,010	109.19	249.47
6	Baia Sprie	11735	43	$506	$938	$1,273	$1,784	204.68	275.33
7	Barlad	77518	47	$558	$968	$1,432	$1,971	25.01	253.78
8	Bistrita	75076	41	$491	$853	$1,245	$1,729	234.54	300.31
9	Bolintin-Vale	12000	55	$678	$1,144	$1,742	$2,383	236.49	164.89
10	Botosani	106847	42	$509	$893	$1,257	$1,740	210.36	270.56
11	Bragadiru	15000	53	$646	$1,106	$1,719	$2,351	105.92	294.77
12	Braila	180302	51	$633	$1,082	$1,593	$2,182	344.89	269.04
13	Brasov	253200	64	$655	$1,336	$1,676	$2,839	22.03	275.92
14	Bucharest	1883425	65	$705	$1,371	$1,846	$2,764	77.6	320.25
15	Buzau	115494	47	$566	$974	$1,375	$1,920	124.83	239.01
16	Buzias	7000	48	$603	$974	$1,519	$2,131	70.59	205.05
17	Calafat	18500	48	$507	$1,016	$1,300	$1,982	217.87	109.49
18	Calarasi	65181	42	$534	$886	$1,366	$1,851	51.9	251.11
19	Campina	41554	44	$635	$927	$1,589	$2,006	51.32	293.02
20	Carei	25911	47	$587	$974	$1,484	$2,124	241.26	244.17
21	Chitila	10866	52	$631	$1,093	$1,681	$2,318	30.63	274.79
22	Cluj-Napoca	324576	68	$734	$1,424	$1,870	$2,858	63.39	331.04
23	Constanta	283872	63	$643	$1,335	$1,714	$2,608	284.14	264.33
24	Craiova	269506	58	$584	$1,212	$1,480	$2,545	68.5	262.58
25	Cugir	28780	42	$467	$866	$1,136	$1,680	59.03	262.61
26	Dealu	3800	51	$662	$1,044	$1,880	$2,477	36.06	118.26
27	Deva	61123	41	$541	$859	$1,319	$1,811	153.45	284.13
28	Dorohoi	32778	43	$503	$872	$1,262	$1,779	126.42	214.37
29	Drobeta-Turnu Severin	92617	42	$598	$885	$1,506	$2,081	30.47	241.37
30	Focsani	97186	49	$566	$1,024	$1,474	$2,302	117.07	252.78
31	Galati	249432	61	$572	$1,284	$1,474	$2,190	101.93	255.36
32	Giurgiu	61353	53	$645	$1,102	$1,671	$2,284	187.8	250.46
33	Hunedoara	78675	36	$461	$755	$1,179	$1,572	60.11	259.68
34	Iasi	290422	60	$639	$1,263	$1,596	$2,420	71.48	333.42
35	Iernut	9000	44	$533	$931	$1,375	$1,921	15.75	253.99
36	Lehliu Gara	6000	48	$567	$1,024	$1,452	$2,125	199.85	194.52
37	Lugoj	49742	37	$504	$769	$1,267	$1,633	124.21	188.29
38	Mamaia	441	49	$598	$1,035	$1,535	$2,127	257.36	255.76
39	Mangalia	36364	51	$621	$1,107	$1,587	$2,250	36.22	275.97
40	Medias	53564	52	$629	$1,102	$1,630	$2,263	102.78	283.08
41	Miercurea Ciuc	38966	35	$465	$737	$1,122	$1,612	212.29	212.32
42	Miroslava	11000	52	$602	$1,073	$1,525	$2,169	122.24	333.84
43	Odorheiu Secuiesc	34275	52	$643	$1,040	$1,614	$2,202	64.12	203.18
44	Onesti	57333	51	$595	$1,042	$1,503	$2,153	32.11	204.21
45	Oradea	196367	49	$547	$1,023	$1,401	$2,028	254.76	300.54
46	Pascani	35897	44	$534	$967	$1,377	$1,921	154.85	233.39
47	Petrosani	51476	36	$559	$752	$1,386	$1,578	96.51	282.58
48	Piatra Neamt	85055	37	$492	$782	$1,241	$1,607	313.07	324.88
49	Pitesti	155383	61	$763	$1,283	$2,000	$2,634	144.93	269.77
50	Ploiesti	224406	55	$627	$1,160	$1,597	$2,246	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 $737 in budget-friendly smaller cities to $1,424 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, costs in Romania drop noticeably. Miercurea Ciuc is one of the best budget options.

$1,200 a month goes far in Romania, especially outside the big cities. It’s a realistic single-person budget that covers housing, food, transport, and leisure comfortably.

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.