Photo: Aleksander Dragnes · CC BY 2.0
Cost of Living in Bucharest, Romania
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 226 sunny days a year.
Bucharest Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Bucharest
How Bucharest Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Bucharest ranks in the top 23% for internet speed, but sits in the bottom 23% for healthcare. It is cheaper than 63% of them.
| Metric | Bucharest | World rank | Rank in Europe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $1,235 | #125 of 340 | #6 of 91 |
| Safety | 70/100 | #137 of 340 | #77 of 91 |
| Healthcare | 55/100 | #265 of 340 | #81 of 91 |
| Internet speed | 269 Mbps | #76 of 340 | #11 of 91 |
| Walkability | 62/100 | #135 of 340 | #79 of 91 |
| Public transit | 55/100 | #104 of 340 | #60 of 91 |
| Food scene | 68/100 | #241 of 340 | #59 of 91 |
| Air quality | 88/100 | #76 of 340 | #37 of 91 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Bucharest
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Bucharest.
- Bansko, Bulgaria — $849/mo, 31% cheaper, safety 80/100
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 excluding rent.
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 226 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 76 days.
Bucharest in our travel guides
- The Cheapest Cities to Visit in Europe in 2026: Budget City Breaks
- The Cheapest Countries in Europe to Live in 2026 (Ranked by Real Monthly Costs)
- Cheapest European Countries to Visit in 2026: Budget Travel Guide
- Best Cities for Remote Work with Fast Internet in 2026
- Southeast Asia vs. Eastern Europe: Where Should Budget Nomads Go in 2026?
- Cheapest Cities to Live in Europe in 2026
Visa Requirements for Romania
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