Bucharest, Romania

Cost of Living in Bucharest, Romania

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Bucharest costs approximately $1,235 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $671. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Bucharest is a city in Romania, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,235 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $671 per month, or $449 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 269 Mbps median download speed, and Romania offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Bucharest scores 70/100 — generally safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 89°F and winter highs around 47°F, with roughly 304 sunny days a year.

Top for CoworkingDigital nomad visaFamily friendly
Monthly Cost$1,235≈ $41/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$671
Internet269 Mbps
Safety70/100
Avg Temp68°F

Bucharest Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$13.86
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$69.28
McDonald's Combo Meal$8.08
Cappuccino$3.35
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$3.46
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$1.99

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.66
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$1.20
Eggs (12)$3.78
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$3.46
Apples (1 lb)$0.66
Bananas (1 lb)$0.79
Tomatoes (1 lb)$1.12
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.41
Water (1.5L Bottle)$0.92
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$7.16
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$6.93

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$0.92
Monthly Transit Pass$22.98
Taxi Start$0.69
Taxi (1 Mile)$1.12
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.73
VW Golf (New)$29,993.72

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$186.19
Mobile Phone Plan$7.81
Broadband Internet$10.79

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$54.49
Cinema Ticket$9.24
Preschool (Monthly)$748.24
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$16,324.86

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$88.18
Nike Running Shoes$95.27

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$671
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$449.38
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$1,259.04
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$796.26
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$382.81
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$213.70

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$1,465.85
Mortgage Interest Rate7.17%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$2,801.60
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$785.40

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Bucharest

Internet269 Mbps
Safety70/100
Healthcare55/100
Public Transit55/100
Walkability62/100
Nightlife65/100
Food Scene68/100
Fine Dining5/100
Coffee Culture60/100
Air Quality88/100
Green Spaces55/100
Culture65/100
Beaches15/100
Hiking65/100
Surfing0/100
Coworking Spaces28
US Visa-Free90 days

Communities & Expat Groups

Digital Nomads Romania

Bucharest FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Bucharest?

A single person should budget around $1,235 per month in Bucharest, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $2,802 per month.

How much is rent in Bucharest?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Bucharest averages $671 per month, dropping to about $449 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,259.

Is Bucharest safe?

Bucharest scores 70/100 on safety, which is generally safe. Tourist safety is rated 68/100.

How fast is the internet in Bucharest?

Median download speeds in Bucharest are around 269 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 28 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Romania offer a digital nomad visa?

Yes — Romania offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders can typically stay 90 days visa-free before applying.

What is the weather like in Bucharest?

Bucharest sees summer highs around 89°F and winter highs near 47°F, with about 304 sunny days and 92 rainy days per year.

Bucharest in our travel guides

Visa Requirements for Romania

Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for Romania and how to apply.

Explore More

See Bucharest on the interactive map →

Similar destinations in Europe

Read our travel & relocation guides →

Browse all cities →