Cost of living in Romania compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 54% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Romania is 54% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Romania | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 44 lei ($10) | $21 | - 55% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 31 lei ($7) | $12 | - 42% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 17 lei ($3.71) | $5.83 | - 36% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 7 lei ($1.61) | $1.11 | + 45% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 13 lei ($2.76) | $5.26 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 9 lei ($2.06) | $4.89 | - 58% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 23 lei ($5.00) | $7 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 4.85 lei ($1.07) | $4.28 | - 75% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 3.45 lei ($0.76) | $2.32 | - 67% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 4.83 lei ($1.06) | $3.55 | - 70% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 34 lei ($7) | $18 | - 58% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 11 lei ($2.32) | $2.94 | - 21% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 3.39 lei ($0.74) | $3.19 | - 77% | |
| Housing | - 74% | |||
| Housing in Romania is 74% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Romania | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 3,456 lei ($759) | $3,300 | - 77% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 2,543 lei ($558) | $2,476 | - 77% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 502 lei ($110) | $228 | - 52% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 2,453 lei ($539) | $2,269 | - 76% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 1,637 lei ($359) | $1,668 | - 78% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 389 lei ($85) | $165 | - 48% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 41 lei ($9) | $63 | - 86% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,317 lei ($289) | $255 | + 14% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 515 lei ($113) | $147 | - 23% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 74 lei ($16) | $15 | + 10% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 43 lei ($10) | $34 | - 72% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in Romania is 14% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Romania | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 370 lei ($81) | $58 | + 40% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 147 lei ($32) | $51 | - 36% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 366 lei ($80) | $105 | - 24% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 430 lei ($94) | $144 | - 34% | |
| Transportation | - 51% | |||
| Transportation in Romania is 51% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Romania | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 120,453 lei ($26,444) | $30,907 | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 7 lei ($1.58) | $0.95 | + 67% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 102 lei ($22) | $88 | - 75% | |
| Personal Care | - 46% | |||
| Personal Care in Romania is 46% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Romania | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 25 lei ($5.47) | $9 | - 38% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 30 lei ($7) | $21 | - 68% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 272 lei ($60) | $164 | - 64% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 23 lei ($5.06) | $9 | - 45% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 23 lei ($4.94) | $5.20 | - 5% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 30 lei ($7) | $7 | - 3% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 8 lei ($1.71) | $5.15 | - 67% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 17 lei ($3.64) | $2.32 | + 57% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 68 lei ($15) | $31 | - 51% | |
| Entertainment | - 54% | |||
| Entertainment in Romania is 54% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Romania | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 150 lei ($33) | $61 | - 46% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 62 lei ($14) | $30 | - 55% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 248 lei ($55) | $220 | - 75% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 227 lei ($50) | $104 | - 52% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 33 lei ($7) | $15 | - 51% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 16 lei ($3.41) | $5.86 | - 42% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 13 lei ($2.83) | $8 | - 62% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,950 lei ($867) | $495 | + 75% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.25 lei ($0.05) | $0.54 | - 90% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 180 lei ($40) | $74 | - 46% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 28 lei ($6) | $11 | - 47% | |
| TOTAL | - 59% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.21954
USD
/
RON
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 17,162 prices entered by 2,093 different people.
Cost of living in Romania is 59% cheaper than in United States
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