Moldova (MD)
Moldova is Eastern Europe's hidden gem — an EU candidate country since June 2022 and one of the continent's most affordable destinations, with a thriving wine culture, warm hospitality and a rapidly modernising capital.
Capital: Chișinău
Region: Europe
Language: Romanian
Currency: MDL (L)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 22)
Emergency: 112
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Moldova — 2026 data in MDL.
22
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Very affordable compared to major global cities. Your money goes a long way here.
Rent
1-bedroom apartment, Chișinău city centre (monthly) MDL 7,000–12,000
1-bedroom apartment, Chișinău suburbs (monthly) MDL 4,000–7,000
2-bedroom apartment, Chișinău city centre (monthly) MDL 10,000–18,000
2-bedroom apartment, Chișinău suburbs (monthly) MDL 6,000–10,000
Room in shared apartment (monthly) MDL 2,500–4,500
3-bedroom house / villa, Chișinău suburbs (monthly) MDL 15,000–30,000
Food & Groceries
Bread (500g loaf) MDL 12–22
Milk (1L) MDL 22–32
Eggs (12) MDL 45–70
Chicken breast (1kg) MDL 80–120
Beef (1kg) MDL 120–180
Potatoes (1kg) MDL 8–15
Tomatoes (1kg) MDL 15–40
Local wine (bottle — Moldova famous for wine) MDL 60–150
Monthly grocery bill (couple) MDL 3,000–6,000
Dining Out
Coffee (espresso, café) MDL 25–50
Lunch at local restaurant MDL 100–200
Mid-range dinner (2 people, wine) MDL 600–1,200
Traditional Moldovan restaurant (per person) MDL 150–300
Fast food combo (McDonald's style) MDL 100–150
Wine by the glass (restaurant) MDL 40–120
Beer (0.5L, bar) MDL 35–70
Transport
Trolleybus / bus single ticket MDL 3–5
Monthly public transport pass (Chișinău) MDL 250–350
Taxi (city centre 5km, inDrive) MDL 50–100
Taxi (city centre 5km, street hail) MDL 60–120
Petrol (1L, 95 octane) MDL 25–30
Monthly car costs (fuel + parking) MDL 2,000–4,000
Chișinău–Bucharest bus (Flixbus) MDL 400–800
Health & Insurance
GP consultation (private clinic) MDL 300–600
Specialist consultation (private) MDL 500–1,200
Blood test panel (private lab) MDL 200–800
Dentist — filling (private) MDL 400–900
CNAM annual health insurance premium (employee) MDL 4,056/year
Private health insurance (expat plan, annual) MDL 15,600–48,750
Utilities
Gas heating (winter, Oct–Apr, monthly) MDL 1,500–3,000
Gas heating (summer, monthly) MDL 200–500
Electricity (Premier Energy, monthly) MDL 300–700
Water (Apă-Canal Chișinău, monthly) MDL 100–200
Internet + TV bundle (fibre, monthly) MDL 150–280
Mobile phone plan (10GB+, Orange / Moldtelecom, monthly) MDL 100–200
Childcare
State kindergarten (monthly) MDL 300–800
Private kindergarten (monthly) MDL 3,000–6,000
International school Chișinău (annual) MDL 140,000–385,000
State university tuition (annual) MDL 10,000–30,000
Romanian language tutor (hourly) MDL 300–600
Leisure
Cinema ticket MDL 80–150
Gym membership (monthly) MDL 600–1,500
Fitness class / yoga (per session) MDL 100–250
National museum entry MDL 20–50
Theatre / Philharmonic ticket MDL 80–300
Castel Mimi or Cricova winery tour + tasting MDL 400–800
Cost of Living
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