Cost of living in Albania compared to Romania
Currency:
Food | + 15% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Albania is 15% more expensive than in Romania | ||||
Albania | Romania | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 872 Lek (45 lei) | 50 lei | - 10% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 901 Lek (47 lei) | 33 lei | + 42% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 370 Lek (19 lei) | 16 lei | + 17% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 155 Lek (8 lei) | 7 lei | + 12% | |
12 eggs, large | 346 Lek (18 lei) | 14 lei | + 31% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 205 Lek (11 lei) | 10 lei | + 2% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 482 Lek (25 lei) | 24 lei | + 4% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 179 Lek (9 lei) | 4.94 lei | + 88% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 88 Lek (4.56 lei) | 3.31 lei | + 38% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 117 Lek (6 lei) | 4.58 lei | + 32% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,286 Lek (67 lei) | 31 lei | + 112% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 189 Lek (10 lei) | 11 lei | - 14% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 58 Lek (3.00 lei) | 3.29 lei | - 9% | |
Housing | - 17% | |||
Housing in Albania is 17% cheaper than in Romania | ||||
Albania | Romania | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 54,370 Lek (2,817 lei) | 3,329 lei | - 15% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 47,310 Lek (2,451 lei) | 2,665 lei | - 8% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 7,000 Lek (363 lei) | 552 lei | - 34% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 32,381 Lek (1,678 lei) | 2,595 lei | - 35% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 25,232 Lek (1,307 lei) | 1,849 lei | - 29% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 6,793 Lek (352 lei) | 379 lei | - 7% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,317 Lek (68 lei) | 46 lei | + 47% | |
40” flat screen tv | 29,173 Lek (1,512 lei) | 1,344 lei | + 12% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 20,293 Lek (1,052 lei) | 447 lei | + 135% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 600 Lek (31 lei) | 61 lei | - 49% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 959 Lek (50 lei) | 80 lei | - 38% | |
Clothes | + 13% | |||
Clothes in Albania is 13% more expensive than in Romania | ||||
Albania | Romania | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 3,917 Lek (203 lei) | 350 lei | - 42% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 3,564 Lek (185 lei) | 152 lei | + 22% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 15,000 Lek (777 lei) | 365 lei | + 113% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 12,963 Lek (672 lei) | 397 lei | + 69% | |
Transportation | - 22% | |||
Transportation in Albania is 22% cheaper than in Romania | ||||
Albania | Romania | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 550,000 Lek (28,499 lei) | 126,790 lei | - 78% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 189 Lek (10 lei) | 7 lei | + 35% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 1,718 Lek (89 lei) | 115 lei | - 23% | |
Personal Care | - 23% | |||
Personal Care in Albania is 23% cheaper than in Romania | ||||
Albania | Romania | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 200 Lek (10 lei) | 30 lei | - 65% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 669 Lek (35 lei) | 46 lei | - 25% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,500 Lek (130 lei) | 284 lei | - 54% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 250 Lek (13 lei) | 22 lei | - 41% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 375 Lek (19 lei) | 23 lei | - 14% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 413 Lek (21 lei) | 24 lei | - 12% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 334 Lek (17 lei) | 8 lei | + 109% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 382 Lek (20 lei) | 16 lei | + 21% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 564 Lek (29 lei) | 73 lei | - 60% | |
Entertainment | + 29% | |||
Entertainment in Albania is 29% more expensive than in Romania | ||||
Albania | Romania | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 4,522 Lek (234 lei) | 148 lei | + 58% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,400 Lek (73 lei) | 61 lei | + 19% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 237 lei | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 8,089 Lek (419 lei) | 209 lei | + 101% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,427 Lek (74 lei) | 31 lei | + 140% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 200 Lek (10 lei) | 15 lei | - 32% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 313 Lek (16 lei) | 12 lei | + 30% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 75,000 Lek (3,886 lei) | 3,692 lei | + 5% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | 0.25 lei | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 4,114 Lek (213 lei) | 207 lei | + 3% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 358 Lek (19 lei) | 27 lei | - 31% | |
TOTAL | - 1% |

These prices were last updated on June 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.05182
RON
/
ALL
Cost of living in Albania is about the same as in Romania
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