Cost of living in Moldova compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 17% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Moldova is 17% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Moldova | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 209 Leu (¥1,802) | ¥1,035 | + 74% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 137 Leu (¥1,180) | ¥820 | + 44% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 48 Leu (¥418) | ¥618 | - 32% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 26 Leu (¥224) | ¥237 | - 6% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 54 Leu (¥466) | ¥335 | + 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 37 Leu (¥320) | ¥439 | - 27% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 71 Leu (¥614) | ¥1,195 | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 15 Leu (¥130) | ¥822 | - 84% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 13 Leu (¥115) | ¥509 | - 77% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 20 Leu (¥173) | ¥312 | - 45% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 100 Leu (¥864) | ¥1,267 | - 32% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 45 Leu (¥389) | ¥276 | + 41% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 11 Leu (¥96) | ¥293 | - 67% | |
| Housing | - 43% | |||
| Housing in Moldova is 43% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Moldova | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 23,062 Leu (¥199,260) | ¥365,082 | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 14,703 Leu (¥127,035) | ¥197,811 | - 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,743 Leu (¥23,703) | ¥19,132 | + 24% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 7,811 Leu (¥67,490) | ¥145,654 | - 54% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 5,066 Leu (¥43,772) | ¥106,059 | - 59% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,057 Leu (¥17,777) | ¥8,349 | + 113% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 125 Leu (¥1,081) | ¥4,448 | - 76% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 6,295 Leu (¥54,387) | ¥74,559 | - 27% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 4,012 Leu (¥34,664) | ¥25,414 | + 36% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 312 Leu (¥2,698) | ¥1,338 | + 102% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 99 Leu (¥856) | ¥2,815 | - 70% | |
| Clothes | + 18% | |||
| Clothes in Moldova is 18% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Moldova | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 966 Leu (¥8,345) | ¥9,315 | - 10% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 741 Leu (¥6,403) | ¥5,103 | + 25% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,804 Leu (¥15,585) | ¥10,686 | + 46% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,176 Leu (¥18,799) | ¥12,189 | + 54% | |
| Transportation | - 45% | |||
| Transportation in Moldova is 45% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Moldova | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 402,534 Leu (¥3,478,004) | ¥3,060,780 | + 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 24 Leu (¥206) | ¥169 | + 22% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 200 Leu (¥1,728) | ¥8,198 | - 79% | |
| Personal Care | - 32% | |||
| Personal Care in Moldova is 32% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Moldova | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 89 Leu (¥770) | ¥2,133 | - 64% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 80 Leu (¥691) | ¥2,551 | - 73% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 353 Leu (¥3,052) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 80 Leu (¥691) | ¥1,337 | - 48% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 106 Leu (¥918) | ¥930 | - 1% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 68 Leu (¥592) | ¥622 | - 5% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 27 Leu (¥233) | ¥224 | + 4% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 47 Leu (¥407) | ¥188 | + 117% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 110 Leu (¥953) | ¥4,604 | - 79% | |
| Entertainment | - 23% | |||
| Entertainment in Moldova is 23% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Moldova | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 600 Leu (¥5,184) | ¥4,908 | + 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 433 Leu (¥3,740) | ¥3,881 | - 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 400 Leu (¥3,456) | ¥7,212 | - 52% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 967 Leu (¥8,358) | ¥8,269 | + 1% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 100 Leu (¥864) | ¥1,244 | - 31% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 32 Leu (¥276) | ¥547 | - 50% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 85 Leu (¥734) | ¥674 | + 9% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 17,174 Leu (¥148,387) | ¥51,659 | + 187% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.00 Leu (¥9) | ¥52 | - 83% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 243 Leu (¥2,102) | ¥9,530 | - 78% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 56 Leu (¥485) | ¥613 | - 21% | |
| TOTAL | - 32% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 332 prices entered by 93 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 24, 2025.
Exchange rate:
8.640
JPY
/
MDL
Cost of living in Moldova is 32% cheaper than in Japan
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