Cost of living in Bucharest (Romania) is 29% cheaper than in Damascus (Syria)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 919 prices entered by 75 different people.

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Food | - 26% | |||
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Food in Bucharest (Romania) is 26% cheaper than in Damascus (Syria) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bucharest | Damascus | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 48 lei (26,679 £) | 16,908 £ | + 58% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 25 lei (13,894 £) | 25,507 £ | - 46% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 16 lei (8,759 £) | 15,865 £ | - 45% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 7 lei (3,864 £) | 5,471 £ | - 29% | |
12 eggs, large | 15 lei (8,072 £) | 11,811 £ | - 32% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 8 lei (4,452 £) | 3,861 £ | + 15% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 18 lei (9,905 £) | 11,902 £ | - 17% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 4.87 lei (2,701 £) | 4,483 £ | - 40% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 3.47 lei (1,924 £) | 3,868 £ | - 50% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 4.07 lei (2,257 £) | 10,726 £ | - 79% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 33 lei (18,140 £) | 22,098 £ | - 18% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 7 lei (3,786 £) | 5,438 £ | - 30% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 3.89 lei (2,155 £) | 1,672 £ | + 29% | |
Housing | - 28% | |||
Housing in Bucharest (Romania) is 28% cheaper than in Damascus (Syria) | ||||
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Bucharest | Damascus | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 4,067 lei (2,255,045 £) | 2,266,120 £ | - 0% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 2,542 lei (1,409,475 £) | 1,023,070 £ | + 38% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 464 lei (257,119 £) | 785,722 £ | - 67% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 2,131 lei (1,181,540 £) | 1,927,480 £ | - 39% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 1,546 lei (857,087 £) | 1,281,530 £ | - 33% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 276 lei (152,841 £) | 407,505 £ | - 62% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 40 lei (21,916 £) | 36,580 £ | - 40% | |
40” flat screen tv | 1,199 lei (664,626 £) | 2,423,240 £ | - 73% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 416 lei (230,702 £) | 984,937 £ | - 77% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 57 lei (31,806 £) | 19,256 £ | + 65% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 56 lei (30,889 £) | 20,000 £ | + 54% | |
Clothes | - 55% | |||
Clothes in Bucharest (Romania) is 55% cheaper than in Damascus (Syria) | ||||
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Bucharest | Damascus | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 348 lei (192,814 £) | 136,717 £ | + 41% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 193 lei (107,127 £) | 359,048 £ | - 70% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 344 lei (190,833 £) | 269,748 £ | - 29% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 435 lei (241,336 £) | 236,715 £ | + 2% | |
Transportation | - 27% | |||
Transportation in Bucharest (Romania) is 27% cheaper than in Damascus (Syria) | ||||
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Bucharest | Damascus | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 100,804 lei (55,890,853 £) | 81,598,000 £ | - 32% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8 lei (4,337 £) | 5,610 £ | - 23% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 85 lei (47,359 £) | 60,000 £ | - 21% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 25 lei (13,819 £) | 25,583 £ | - 46% | |
Personal Care | + 27% | |||
Personal Care in Bucharest (Romania) is 27% more expensive than in Damascus (Syria) | ||||
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Bucharest | Damascus | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 31 lei (17,028 £) | 4,257 £ | + 300% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 30 lei (16,700 £) | 6,632 £ | + 152% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 244 lei (135,362 £) | 50,000 £ | + 171% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 26 lei (14,335 £) | 7,982 £ | + 80% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 15 lei (8,437 £) | 11,560 £ | - 27% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 27 lei (14,871 £) | 11,251 £ | + 32% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 8 lei (4,406 £) | 6,185 £ | - 29% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 17 lei (9,362 £) | 7,645 £ | + 22% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 58 lei (32,297 £) | 45,529 £ | - 29% | |
Entertainment | - 32% | |||
Entertainment in Bucharest (Romania) is 32% cheaper than in Damascus (Syria) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bucharest | Damascus | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 145 lei (80,578 £) | 60,604 £ | + 33% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 69 lei (38,030 £) | 29,340 £ | + 30% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 156 lei (86,408 £) | 180,000 £ | - 52% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 206 lei (114,421 £) | 281,413 £ | - 59% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 28 lei (15,767 £) | 33,248 £ | - 53% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 12 lei (6,605 £) | 25,504 £ | - 74% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 10 lei (5,648 £) | 44,234 £ | - 87% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,213 lei (1,781,179 £) | 2,029,040 £ | - 12% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.38 lei (211 £) | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 224 lei (123,981 £) | 41,057 £ | + 202% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 22 lei (12,344 £) | 13,121 £ | - 6% | |
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TOTAL | - 29% |

These prices were last updated on February 05, 2023.
Exchange rate:
554.451
SYP
/
RON
*
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require 6,320,000 £ in Damascus you would need to make just about 4,465,131 £ (8,053 lei) in Bucharest.
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