Cost of living in Bucharest, Romania

Summary of cost of living in Bucharest

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: 11,998 lei
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: 5,313 lei
  • Cost of living in Bucharest is cheaper than in 60% of cities in Eastern Europe (9 out of 15)
  • Cost of living in Bucharest is cheaper than in 88% of cities in the World (175 out of 200)
What salary will you need in Bucharest?
Find out with your own Salary Calculation.

List of prices in Bucharest
Current as of Dec 2023.

Change the currency:
Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district 50 lei
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) 29 lei
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast 15 lei
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk 8 lei
12 eggs, large 15 lei
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes 9 lei
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese 20 lei
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 5.02 lei
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes 3.84 lei
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket 4.09 lei
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 32 lei
2 liters of coca-cola 8 lei
Bread for 2 people for 1 day 4.21 lei
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area 3,870 lei
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area 2,441 lei
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat 639 lei
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area 2,183 lei
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area 1,539 lei
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio 356 lei
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) 38 lei
40” flat screen tv 1,292 lei
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) 594 lei
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) 45 lei
Hourly rate for cleaning help 50 lei
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) 333 lei
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) 192 lei
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) 389 lei
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes 422 lei
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new 102,384 lei
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas 7 lei
Monthly ticket public transport 79 lei
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) 26 lei
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) 29 lei
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) 31 lei
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) 251 lei
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) 24 lei
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) 16 lei
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) 24 lei
4 rolls of toilet paper 9 lei
Tube of toothpaste 17 lei
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city 60 lei
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 143 lei
2 tickets to the movies 70 lei
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) 170 lei
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert 213 lei
1 cocktail drink in downtown club 32 lei
Cappuccino in expat area of the city 13 lei
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) 11 lei
Ipad wi-fi 128gb 4,004 lei
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) 0.47 lei
1 month of gym membership in business district 198 lei
1 package of marlboro cigarettes 24 lei
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 421 prices entered by 55 different people.
Latest price update: December 05, 2023

Moving to Bucharest with your children?

International Schools in Bucharest

Bucharest position in our World Ranking

the world
175th
out of 200
eastern europe
9th
out of 15

Cheapest and most expensive products in Bucharest compared to other cities:

the world
5th
eastern europe
1st
eastern europe
1st
eastern europe
1st
eastern europe
1st
eastern europe
1st

Do you live in Bucharest? We need your help!

What is the price of

Internet 8 Mbps

in Bucharest?

1 month
lei

Are you moving to Bucharest? Do you know how much money you will need there to maintain your current standard of living?

Find out what is the real equivalent in Bucharest of your current salary and improve your chances of a happy relocation.

Get a Salary Calculation for Bucharest

International Cost of Living Index

loading...

Prices recently added

  • Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Berlin costs €10 (11 minutes ago)
  • 6 eggs, large in Kuwait City costs Dinar 2.000 (about 2 hours ago)
  • 2 lb of boneless chicken breast in New York City costs $3.31 (about 2 hours ago)
  • Ipad wi-fi 128gb in Aarau costs CHF 448 (about 3 hours ago)
  • Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Santiago de Compostela costs €900 (about 4 hours ago)
  • Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Pachuca costs Mex$ 225 (about 5 hours ago)

Make a different comparison:

Compare cost of living between cities:
vs