CostLens
HomeRomania › Bucharest

Cost of Living in Bucharest

Bucharest, Bucureşti, Romania · Population 2,412,530 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Romania average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)lei3,396 ($738)
Couple, monthlylei6,095 ($1,325)
Family of four, monthlylei7,948 ($1,728)

Estimated Prices in Bucharest

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantlei34.09 ($7.41)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-rangelei136 ($29.64)per meal
Cappuccinolei10.23 ($2.22)each
Monthly groceries (single person)lei773 ($168)per month
Monthly public transport passlei125 ($27.17)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartmentlei329 ($71.63)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)lei95.44 ($20.75)per month
Fitness club membershiplei95.44 ($20.75)per month
Cinema ticketlei25.00 ($5.43)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centrelei1,616 ($351)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centrelei1,124 ($244)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centrelei3,371 ($733)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Bucharest is lei6,877 ($1,495) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of lei3,396 ($738) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly lei4,415 ($960) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (lei1,124 ($244)) represents about 33% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Bucharest

Bucharest vs Cluj-NapocaBucharest vs IaşiBucharest vs ConstanţaBucharest vs TimişoaraBucharest vs BraşovBucharest vs Craiova

Nearby Cities

Popeşti-Leordeni

7 km away · Ilfov

Fundeni

8 km away · Bucureşti

Roşu

8 km away · Bucureşti

Jilava

9 km away · Ilfov

Pantelimon

9 km away · Ilfov

Dudu

10 km away · Ilfov

Măgurele

11 km away · Ilfov

Bragadiru

11 km away · Ilfov

Other Major Cities in Romania

Cluj-Napoca

Cluj · pop. 286,598

lei2,724 ($592) / mo

Iaşi

Iaşi · pop. 271,692

lei2,724 ($592) / mo

Constanţa

Constanţa · pop. 263,707

lei2,724 ($592) / mo

Timişoara

Timiş · pop. 250,849

lei2,724 ($592) / mo

Braşov

Braşov · pop. 237,589

lei2,558 ($556) / mo

Craiova

Dolj · pop. 234,140

lei2,558 ($556) / mo

Galaţi

Galaţi · pop. 217,851

lei2,558 ($556) / mo

Oradea

Bihor · pop. 183,105

lei2,558 ($556) / mo

Living in Bucharest

Bucharest is the capital and one of the key cities in Romania. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is lei3,396 ($738), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around lei1,124 ($244) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to lei7,948 ($1,728) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately lei6,095 ($1,325) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Bucharest is lei6,877 ($1,495). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least lei4,415 ($960) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bucharest expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated lei3,396 ($738) per month in Bucharest including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Romania.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Bucharest?
A net salary of around lei4,415 ($960) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Bucharest with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Bucharest is lei6,877 ($1,495).
How much is rent in Bucharest?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated lei1,616 ($351) per month in the city centre and lei1,124 ($244) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about lei3,371 ($733).
Is Bucharest cheaper than Romania on average?
No — Bucharest is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Romania average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Bucharest?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at lei773 ($168) in Bucharest. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about lei34 ($7) and a cappuccino runs around lei10 ($2).
How do transport costs in Bucharest compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Bucharest is estimated at lei125 ($27). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Bucharest are estimates based on Romania national averages adjusted for city size (population 2,412,530) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.