Romania : Cost of Living by City
Cost of Living in Romania
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Constanta?
Constanta is a coastal Black Sea town in Romania, the second most important city in the country and, during summer, a gorgeous tourist venue.
It is also Romania’s largest seaport, so it carries a certain significance for the country.
Even though the city is relatively quiet, it has a decent number of pubs and restaurants, and dusty but still gorgeous – and recovering – ‘Historical Town’ peninsula.
Constanta isn’t a particularly “happening place”, so at least you won’t be tempted to spend all your money in a tourist’s rush.
Cost of Living Breakdown in Constanta
RESTAURANTS
A typical meal at a restaurant in Constanta is around 10$ per person including drinks. You should definitely try Romanian international cuisine in this city, as well as the wines known for its quality and low prices. You will find a lot of fast food places selling kebab and shawarma – typical Romanian fast food which is actually delicious and ridiculously cheap – around 2$ for a small one and 3.50$ for a big one.
| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $7.77 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.43 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.19 |
MARKETS
Here’s where you can enjoy all the fresh produce – the best thing about living in Romania! Most of the organic food in Constanta is very cheap. You can find tasty organically-farmed fruits and vegetables in special markets in all cities throughout the city, as well as imported goods. Groceries in supermarkets are priced like in the rest of Europe, but they are of a much higher quality – the fruit and veggies will actually taste rich!
| Average Market Prices | |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.02 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $0.40 |
| Eggs (12) | $2.42 |
TRANSPORTATION
You can use the public transport system – buses, and maxi-taxis- but don’t expect them to be reliable. You could take a ticket for less than a dollar, which will be valid for two trips and roam around the city. Your best option is a taxi, but be careful not to get overpriced and always insist on starting the meter.
| Average Transport Prices | |
|---|---|
| One Way Ticket | $0.36 |
| Monthly Pass | $15.53 |
| Gasoline | $1.30 |
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
The fast internet in Constanta – and internet is fast everywhere in Romania – is extremely cheap, and basic utilities are too – to some degree. Bear in mind, however, that the presence of internet and basic utilities exists to a lesser degree in rural areas than in the cities, so if you live on the outskirts of Constanta, expect some blackouts or disruptions.
| Average Utilities Prices | |
|---|---|
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $116.09 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.09 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $8.44 |
SPORTS & LEISURE
Activities like renting a bike, seeing a movie, going to gym, taking dance classes – and don’t forget partying are common in most Romania’s big cities, and this applies to Constanta, too. Going to the movies for example is relatively cheap, with one ticket costing around 7$. If you like to spend your free time in a gym or a fitness club, your monthly fee will be around 30$.
| Average Leisure Prices | |
|---|---|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $28.13 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $20.31 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $5.97 |
CLOTHING & SHOES
Shopping opportunities are everyhere – you can shop downtown, on the Ştefan cel Mare street where most big shopping centers are located, including Tomis Mall, but also in the new, modern and bigger City Park Mall – in Tabacarie Park. Prices won’t be too low, though. You’ll be able to buy quality jeans for around 55$, while quality running sneakers cost a bit more – around 65$ a pair.
| Average Clothing Prices | |
|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $54.49 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $33.46 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $66.91 |
RENT PER MONTH
You can find decent relatively cheap places to rent in Constanta, starting from 170$ per month in the less popular neighborhoods and moving to an average of 350$ a month. You can find luxurious and expensive places too, located in the very center of the city, with lake views, sea views and whatever else you might think of – these will cost you around 400$.
| Average Rent Prices | |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $256.23 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $201.80 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $385.77 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Constanta?
Food is a large expense for the people living in Constanta, taking up more than 30% of one’s salary.
This is normal for most countries of the world.
The second biggest expense in Constanta aren’t the rents, which is the biggest surprise! They’re restaurants!
There are many expensive and luxurious restaurants here and even more people that eat in them daily, so eating in restaurant’s takes up a huge chunk of this pie chart!
Rents are the next on the list, and though they aren’t that expensive, in comparison with other prices in the country – they are a bit high.
Clothing takes up the least of an average person’s income, as in most country.
Average Costs Breakdown
Constanta: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Salaries are considerably lower in Constanta than in other major cities in Romnania.
It is true that ever since Romania joined EU, the wages have been growing, but they are still lower than what is considered the country’s average.
Their average monthly net salary is near 520$ which is enough to cover all expenses, but could still mean a bit of struggle for someone who’s renting.
Minimum wage in Constanta is less than 200$, which is definitely on the lower side and many represent quite a lot of problems for the people of Constanta as it barely allows for citizens to afford all of the basics.
Cost of Living by City in Romania
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Arad |
35.84 |
| Brasov |
37.13 |
| Bucharest |
40.39 |
| Cluj-Napoca |
38.13 |
| Craiova |
31.78 |
| Iasi |
36.54 |
| Oradea |
34.35 |
| Sibiu |
35.63 |
| Timisoara |
38.19 |
Can’t believe a city that sounds this chill is also a major port! Sounds like the perfect place to kick back without the pressure of party-fomo. I mean, who needs a wild night out when you’ve got dusty charm and great views, right?
Constanta sounds like a nice spot to relax and enjoy some peace. It’s cool that it has that blend of history and coastal vibes without the usual tourist chaos. Perfect for a low-key getaway!
Is it really true that you can enjoy Constanta without breaking the bank? It sounds like the perfect getaway for those of us who want to explore without the financial stress that often comes with popular tourist spots. What’s the average cost for a day there?
Have you found that some of the restaurants and pubs offer better deals than others? I’m always curious about how the costs compare in quieter places like Constanta.