Romania (RO)

Romania is the largest country in Southeastern Europe — a full Schengen EU member state blessed with the dramatic Carpathian mountains, medieval Saxon towns like Sibiu and Brasov, the legendary Transylvania region, a booming technology sector, and one of the lowest costs of living in the European Union.

Capital: Bucharest

Region: Europe

Language: Romanian

Currency: RON (lei)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 38)

Emergency: 112

Cost of Living

Real prices in Romania — 2026 data in RON.

Cost of living index

(100 = NYC reference)

Very affordable compared to major global cities. Your money goes a long way here.

Food & Groceries

Bread (loaf, 500g) RON 5–8

Milk (1L) RON 7–10

Eggs (12) RON 15–22

Apples (1kg) RON 6–10

Chicken breast (1kg) RON 35–45

Beef (1kg) RON 60–80

Beer (0.5L, supermarket) RON 5–9

Weekly groceries for 2 people RON 400–700

Dining Out

Lunch menu (meniul zilei) RON 25–45

Shaorma / fast food RON 18–30

Restaurant main course RON 40–80

Coffee (cappuccino) RON 12–18

Beer in a bar (0.5L) RON 12–18

Dinner for 2 (mid-range, no wine) RON 150–250

Rent

1-bed apartment, Bucharest city centre RON 2,800–4,500/month

1-bed apartment, Bucharest outside centre RON 1,800–2,800/month

3-bed apartment, Bucharest city centre RON 5,500–9,000/month

1-bed apartment, Cluj-Napoca city centre RON 2,500–4,000/month

1-bed apartment, Iași or Timișoara RON 1,800–2,800/month

Studio, smaller city (Brașov / Sibiu) RON 1,400–2,200/month

Transport

Public transit monthly pass (Bucharest abonament) RON 80–120

Single bus / metro ticket RON 3–5

Taxi (start + 1km) RON 4–6

Bolt / Uber ride within city (5km) RON 15–30

InterCity train Bucharest–Cluj-Napoca RON 110–180

Petrol (per litre, unleaded) RON 7–8

Parking (per hour, paid zone) RON 2–6

Health & Insurance

CNAS public GP visit (for registered employees) Free at point of care

Private specialist consultation RON 200–500

Private health subscription (Regina Maria / Medicover / MedLife, monthly) RON 100–300

Dentist check-up + cleaning (private) RON 200–450

Prescription medication (typical course, pharmacy) RON 30–120

Utilities

Electricity, heating, water, waste (85m² apartment, monthly) RON 500–900

Broadband fibre internet (1 Gbps) RON 30–50/month

Mobile postpaid (data + calls) RON 30–80/month

Streaming TV (Netflix standard) RON 45/month

Building administration fee (asociație de proprietari) RON 80–200/month

Childcare

Public creșă (0–3 years, monthly food fee) RON 300–500

Private creșă (0–3 years, monthly) RON 1,500–3,500

Public grădiniță (3–6 years, food fee) RON 200–350

Private grădiniță (3–6 years, monthly) RON 1,500–4,000

Babysitter (per hour) RON 25–45

Leisure

Cinema ticket RON 35–50

Gym membership (monthly) RON 150–300

Museum entrance (average) RON 15–35

Theatre / opera ticket (Bucharest) RON 40–180

Ski day pass (Poiana Brașov) RON 180–230

Haircut (men's) RON 50–120

Haircut (women's) RON 80–250

Book (paperback, Romanian) RON 40–80

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