Cost of Living in Romania

RESTAURANTS

The food in Romania is amazing. Everything there is made locally and is very fresh.

Most restaurants and hotels also have vegan and vegetarian options.

Prices are the cheapest in Europe, and beer and wine are also very cheap.

Many people say that it’s impossible to get out of Romania without gaining weight.

A meal at an inexpensive restaurant will cost you around 8$.

MARKETS

Most of the organic food from Romania is very cheap.

You can find tasty organically-farmed fruits and vegetables in special markets in all cities throughout Romania.

Generally, in supermarkets, you can find a variety of groceries, all kinds of cheese, milk, yogurt, etc.

Groceries are priced like in the rest of Europe, but they are of a much higher quality.

If you visit Romania during summer, trying fresh fruit from street vendors is a treat!

TRANSPORTATION

One thing you should know is that public transportation in Romania is not your friend, however cheap it is, and if you need to be somewhere in time, just go on foot.

Public transportation is slow and crowded (especially during peak hours), and a nerve-testing experience when it rains or snows.

Do not rely on the printed schedules you will find on many stations, as traffic patterns change daily.

A one-way bus ticket is only 0.66$, though.

UTILITIES (MONTHLY)

One of the things Romania is known for is – the internet.

Internet speed is lightning-fast here!

You can get 1GB/s download speed for about 9$ every month.

However, the presence of the internet and basic utilities exist to a lesser degree in rural areas than in the cities.

For some people, this may be a positive experience, though, if they are looking for a touch of a more archaic way of life.

SPORTS & LEISURE

The great thing about this country is that it offers an abundance of opportunities for practicing sports outside: there are mountains, for climbing and hiking, rivers and lakes for swimming and fishing, and gorgeous streets for jogging.

However, if you’re more of an indoor person, you can become a member of a gym or fitness club for around 39$.

CLOTHING & SHOES

Romania also has many shopping malls, with a range of Western stores and brands where you can shop for your favorite clothes and shoes.

The prices aren’t exactly low (which you might expect from a country located in the eastern part of Europe), but they aren’t sky-high either.

You can buy quality jeans for around 60$, and running sneakers for only 72$.

RENT PER MONTH

While rents can be high, they don’t come anywhere close to those that you’d encounter in London or other large cities in Western Europe.

Rent will, however, be your main concern while living here.

You can find places where you’ll pay 120$ for a studio, while anything above 375$ means you’ll be getting decent accommodation in the best part of the city.

A larger apartment for the whole family, in the city center, is over 600$.

HEALTHCARE

Romania has public healthcare funded through payroll contributions of about 10 percent of salary, with optional private insurance costing roughly 20 to 50 USD per month.

Out-of-pocket expenses average 300 to 600 USD per person per year for medications, doctor visits, and hospital care.

With average monthly salaries near 900 USD, healthcare costs can take a noticeable portion of income.

EDUCATION

Public primary and secondary schools are tuition-free, with families paying for books, uniforms, and supplies, usually $100 to $400 per year.

Private schools charge $4,000 to $12,000 annually.

Public universities charge tuition around $1,000 to $3,000 per year, while private universities can cost $4,000 to $8,000 annually.

Students also pay for housing, food, transport, and textbooks.

Average monthly income is about $900, so education costs, particularly private schooling and higher education expenses, are a significant portion of household income.