The cost of living in Romania is considerably cheaper than in many other European countries, but the average salary is also much lower. However, as an expat working in Romania, you will probably be making well above the average salary, and find it easy to feel at home abroad and live a very comfortable lifestyle.

How much living in Romania will cost for you depends a lot on your lifestyle. For example, if you usually eat at home, you can easily get by on 100-150 euros per month for food bought at supermarkets and farmer’s markets. If you often eat out, this amount will quickly rise, although the typical cost of a restaurant meal will probably be less than what you’re used to at home.

Rent is the main area where expats will notice a difference compared to other countries. In the city center of Bucharest, for example, apartments can be rented for 450-600 euros per month, plus utilities. Apartments are often partially or fully furnished. If you choose to live farther from the center, but still only a 20-30 minute walk away, rental prices already drop to 250-450 euros per month for a 45-80 m2, 1-2 bedroom apartment. In smaller cities and towns, rent is even cheaper.

Healthcare is universal, and mandatory contributions to the public healthcare system are taken out of employees’ paychecks. The public healthcare system is overburdened, however, and most multinational companies provide basic private healthcare plans for their expat employees.

If you are bringing your children with you to Romania, you can expect to pay about 250-500 euros per month for a place in a private kindergarten. Public education is free, whereas the cost of private schools varies widely from 1000 euros per year to 500 euros per month.

Romania also offers many opportunities for studying abroad. Students can get by comfortably on a monthly budget of 300-500 euros excluding tuition fees. Depending on a student’s county of origin and the course of study, annual tuition fees in Romania can vary between 2000-5000 euros.

A private apartment can be rented for 150-300 euros per month, and many are fully furnished. Utilities usually cost another 25-50 euros per month on top of that, and an internet, phone and cable TV connection costs about 20 euros per month. If you are living on a very tight budget, you can also live in the student hostels, where a room (shared with up to two other students) costs between 50-100 euros per month.

By InterNations.org, the largest expat network worldwide.

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