Cost of Living in Romania 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Romania is the Romanian leu (RON).
Monthly Living Costs in Romania
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): €729 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €936 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Romania Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 45.6 |
| Rent index | 12 |
| Groceries index | 39 |
| Restaurant price index | 43.5 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 76.8 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 40.9 |
| Property price-to-income ratio | 10.5 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Romania from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Finance | €31,000 |
| Engineering | €28,000 |
| IT & Software | €22,000 |
| Construction | €19,500 |
| Education | €15,000 |
| Hospitality | €11,000 |
| Retail | €10,500 |
| Healthcare | €10,000 |
Taxes in Romania
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 13.6% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €5,760 |
| VAT / sales tax | 21% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 10% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €5,760 per month. After rent and essentials (€729), roughly €5,031 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Romania Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romania | €432 | €162 | €45 | 45.6 |
| Bulgaria | €403 | €196 | €28 | 45.4 |
| Hungary | €530 | €171 | €25 | 61.4 |
| Moldova | €280 | €110 | €12 | 50.8 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Romania:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 17 residence and visa routes for Romania — see the full Romania visa programme list.
Lowest documented income requirement among tracked routes: €229 per month — EU Blue Card (skilled worker route). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €765 per month to sustain a move to Romania.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Romania expensive?
Romania has a cost-of-living index of 45.6 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €432 per month and a single person spends about €729 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Romania?
About €729 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 €936 per month.
What is the average rent in Romania?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €432 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €850 per month in Romania. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Romania?
Typical gross annual salaries in Romania range from €10,000 (Healthcare) to €31,000 (Finance), based on our sector dataset.
Which residence route has the lowest income requirement for Romania?
Among the 17 Romania residence routes we track, the lowest documented income requirement is €229 per month (EU Blue Card). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Ready for the next step? See the full Romania country profile and the Romania emigration guide.
Still shortlisting? Compare against our data-driven ranking of the best countries to move to in 2026.
Is Romania a fit for your profile?
Get a personalised assessment — income, savings, profession, and family — in 3 minutes.
Get Your Free Verdict