Cost of living in Romania compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 16% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Romania is 16% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Romania | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 50 lei (¥1,663) | ¥1,035 | + 61% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 33 lei (¥1,086) | ¥817 | + 33% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 16 lei (¥543) | ¥618 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 7 lei (¥237) | ¥237 | + 0% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 14 lei (¥455) | ¥335 | + 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 10 lei (¥344) | ¥439 | - 22% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 24 lei (¥793) | ¥1,195 | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 4.94 lei (¥164) | ¥822 | - 80% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 3.31 lei (¥110) | ¥509 | - 78% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 4.58 lei (¥152) | ¥312 | - 51% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 31 lei (¥1,039) | ¥1,267 | - 18% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 11 lei (¥378) | ¥276 | + 37% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 3.29 lei (¥109) | ¥293 | - 63% | |
| Housing | - 50% | |||
| Housing in Romania is 50% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Romania | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 3,329 lei (¥110,250) | ¥365,082 | - 70% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 2,665 lei (¥88,266) | ¥197,811 | - 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 552 lei (¥18,279) | ¥19,132 | - 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 2,595 lei (¥85,947) | ¥145,654 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 1,849 lei (¥61,234) | ¥106,059 | - 42% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 379 lei (¥12,563) | ¥8,349 | + 50% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 46 lei (¥1,535) | ¥4,448 | - 65% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,344 lei (¥44,515) | ¥74,559 | - 40% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 447 lei (¥14,791) | ¥25,414 | - 42% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 61 lei (¥2,022) | ¥1,338 | + 51% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 80 lei (¥2,651) | ¥2,815 | - 6% | |
| Clothes | + 12% | |||
| Clothes in Romania is 12% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Romania | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 350 lei (¥11,594) | ¥9,315 | + 24% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 152 lei (¥5,034) | ¥5,103 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 365 lei (¥12,087) | ¥9,892 | + 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 397 lei (¥13,159) | ¥12,189 | + 8% | |
| Transportation | - 22% | |||
| Transportation in Romania is 22% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Romania | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 126,790 lei (¥4,199,502) | ¥3,060,780 | + 37% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 7 lei (¥239) | ¥169 | + 41% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 115 lei (¥3,818) | ¥8,198 | - 53% | |
| Personal Care | - 22% | |||
| Personal Care in Romania is 22% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Romania | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 30 lei (¥990) | ¥2,133 | - 54% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 46 lei (¥1,532) | ¥2,551 | - 40% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 284 lei (¥9,391) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 22 lei (¥725) | ¥1,337 | - 46% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 23 lei (¥746) | ¥930 | - 20% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 24 lei (¥802) | ¥622 | + 29% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 8 lei (¥274) | ¥224 | + 22% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 16 lei (¥541) | ¥188 | + 188% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 73 lei (¥2,427) | ¥4,604 | - 47% | |
| Entertainment | - 26% | |||
| Entertainment in Romania is 26% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Romania | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 148 lei (¥4,910) | ¥4,908 | + 0% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 61 lei (¥2,027) | ¥3,881 | - 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 237 lei (¥7,866) | ¥7,212 | + 9% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 209 lei (¥6,909) | ¥8,269 | - 16% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 31 lei (¥1,018) | ¥1,244 | - 18% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 15 lei (¥504) | ¥547 | - 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 12 lei (¥413) | ¥674 | - 39% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,692 lei (¥122,298) | ¥51,659 | + 137% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.25 lei (¥8) | ¥52 | - 84% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 207 lei (¥6,855) | ¥9,530 | - 28% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 27 lei (¥891) | ¥613 | + 45% | |
| TOTAL | - 29% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,071 prices entered by 186 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
33.122
JPY
/
RON
Cost of living in Romania is 29% cheaper than in Japan
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