Cost of living in Bucharest (Romania) is about the same as in Beijing (China)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 350 prices entered by 71 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 28% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bucharest (Romania) is 28% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Beijing | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 49 lei (82元) | 47元 | + 76% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 33 lei (54元) | 36元 | + 52% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 16 lei (28元) | 12元 | + 138% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 8 lei (13元) | 12元 | + 1% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 14 lei (23元) | 17元 | + 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 10 lei (17元) | 10元 | + 80% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 21 lei (35元) | 54元 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 4.66 lei (8元) | 15元 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 3.77 lei (6元) | 6元 | + 3% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 4.73 lei (8元) | 6元 | + 26% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 32 lei (54元) | 79元 | - 32% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 10 lei (16元) | 8元 | + 94% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 2.75 lei (4.59元) | 10元 | - 54% | |
| Housing | - 30% | |||
| Housing in Bucharest (Romania) is 30% cheaper than in Beijing (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Beijing | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 4,228 lei (7,054元) | 13,993元 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 2,699 lei (4,503元) | 8,120元 | - 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 579 lei (966元) | 382元 | + 153% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 2,536 lei (4,230元) | 7,358元 | - 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 1,894 lei (3,160元) | 4,126元 | - 23% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 370 lei (618元) | 193元 | + 221% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 36 lei (60元) | 91元 | - 33% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,360 lei (2,269元) | 1,862元 | + 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 422 lei (703元) | 560元 | + 26% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 48 lei (81元) | 34元 | + 139% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 60 lei (100元) | 56元 | + 79% | |
| Clothes | + 13% | |||
| Clothes in Bucharest (Romania) is 13% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Beijing | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 342 lei (571元) | 441元 | + 29% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 157 lei (262元) | 252元 | + 4% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 407 lei (680元) | 497元 | + 37% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 341 lei (568元) | 797元 | - 29% | |
| Transportation | - 11% | |||
| Transportation in Bucharest (Romania) is 11% cheaper than in Beijing (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Beijing | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 109,060 lei (181,943元) | 154,765元 | + 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 7 lei (12元) | 8元 | + 47% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 87 lei (146元) | 249元 | - 42% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 26 lei (44元) | 38元 | + 16% | |
| Personal Care | + 26% | |||
| Personal Care in Bucharest (Romania) is 26% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Beijing | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 30 lei (50元) | 28元 | + 78% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 41 lei (68元) | 46元 | + 49% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 253 lei (423元) | 242元 | + 74% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 24 lei (39元) | 43元 | - 8% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 18 lei (30元) | 38元 | - 20% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 23 lei (39元) | 25元 | + 53% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 8 lei (13元) | 10元 | + 31% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 16 lei (26元) | 14元 | + 86% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 56 lei (93元) | 86元 | + 8% | |
| Entertainment | + 24% | |||
| Entertainment in Bucharest (Romania) is 24% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Beijing | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 126 lei (210元) | 239元 | - 12% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 60 lei (100元) | 120元 | - 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 168 lei (280元) | 951元 | - 71% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 214 lei (357元) | 200元 | + 79% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 33 lei (55元) | 73元 | - 25% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 14 lei (24元) | 28元 | - 15% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 11 lei (19元) | 10元 | + 81% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,810 lei (6,356元) | 3,423元 | + 86% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.63 lei (1.06元) | 0.41元 | + 155% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 183 lei (306元) | 389元 | - 21% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 27 lei (46元) | 20元 | + 129% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 2% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 350 prices entered by 71 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.668
CNY
/
RON
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require 41,000元 in Beijing you would need to make just about 40,225元 (24,112 lei) in Bucharest.
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