Cost of Living in Moldova 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Moldova is the Moldovan leu (MDL).
Monthly Living Costs in Moldova
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €467 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €589 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Moldova Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 50.8 |
| Rent index | 14.7 |
| Groceries index | 33.6 |
| Restaurant price index | 32.5 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 54.1 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 40.7 |
| Property price-to-income ratio | 14.1 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Moldova from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | €28,000 |
| Finance | €18,000 |
| Engineering | €14,500 |
| Construction | €12,000 |
| Healthcare | €11,000 |
| Education | €8,500 |
| Hospitality | €7,000 |
| Retail | €6,500 |
Taxes in Moldova
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 16% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €5,600 |
| VAT / sales tax | 20% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 12% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €5,600 per month. After rent and essentials (€467), roughly €5,133 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Moldova Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moldova | €280 | €110 | €12 | 50.8 |
| Romania | €432 | €162 | €45 | 45.6 |
| Ukraine | €320 | €95 | €28 | 26.9 |
| Russia | €650 | €300 | €35 | 43.1 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Moldova:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 34 residence and visa routes for Moldova — see the full Moldova visa programme list.
Lowest documented income requirement among tracked routes: €150 per month — Information technology activities type D/IT (skilled worker route). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €467 per month to sustain a move to Moldova.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moldova expensive?
Moldova has a cost-of-living index of 50.8 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €280 per month and a single person spends about €467 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Moldova?
About €467 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €589 per month.
What is the average rent in Moldova?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €280 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €420 per month in Moldova. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Moldova?
Typical gross annual salaries in Moldova range from €6,500 (Retail) to €28,000 (IT & Software), based on our sector dataset.
Which residence route has the lowest income requirement for Moldova?
Among the 34 Moldova residence routes we track, the lowest documented income requirement is €150 per month (Information technology activities type D/IT). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Ready for the next step? See the full Moldova country profile and the Moldova emigration guide.
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