Cost of living in Bucharest, Romania vs Essen, Germany
Currency:
Food | - 36% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Bucharest (Romania) is 36% cheaper than in Essen (Germany) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 34 lei (€7) | €11 | - 37% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 19 lei (€3.92) | €7 | - 43% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 14 lei (€2.81) | €4.15 | - 32% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 5.63 lei (€1.14) | €0.95 | + 20% | |
12 eggs, large | 14 lei (€2.78) | €2.62 | + 6% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 6 lei (€1.23) | €2.33 | - 47% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 15 lei (€2.96) | €4.84 | - 39% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 4.54 lei (€0.92) | €2.32 | - 60% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.54 lei (€0.52) | €1.29 | - 60% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3.88 lei (€0.79) | €0.80 | - 2% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 26 lei (€5.29) | €6 | - 16% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 5.49 lei (€1.12) | €1.77 | - 37% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 2.28 lei (€0.46) | €1.31 | - 65% | |
Housing | - 40% | |||
Housing in Bucharest (Romania) is 40% cheaper than in Essen (Germany) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 3,765 lei (€764) | €940 | - 19% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,988 lei (€404) | €598 | - 33% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 441 lei (€90) | €142 | - 37% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 2,058 lei (€418) | €615 | - 32% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 1,319 lei (€268) | €427 | - 37% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 307 lei (€62) | €145 | - 57% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 38 lei (€8) | €25 | - 69% | |
40” flat screen tv | 1,447 lei (€294) | €447 | - 34% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 357 lei (€72) | €134 | - 46% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 28 lei (€5.69) | €8 | - 33% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 20 lei (€4.12) | €13 | - 68% | |
Clothes | - 30% | |||
Clothes in Bucharest (Romania) is 30% cheaper than in Essen (Germany) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 274 lei (€56) | €82 | - 32% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 167 lei (€34) | €49 | - 30% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 341 lei (€69) | €82 | - 16% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 373 lei (€76) | €111 | - 32% | |
Transportation | - 63% | |||
Transportation in Bucharest (Romania) is 63% cheaper than in Essen (Germany) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 79,012 lei (€16,041) | €22,629 | - 29% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 4.92 lei (€1.00) | €1.43 | - 30% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 60 lei (€12) | €66 | - 82% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 22 lei (€4.38) | €22 | - 80% | |
Personal Care | - 30% | |||
Personal Care in Bucharest (Romania) is 30% cheaper than in Essen (Germany) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 28 lei (€5.61) | €9 | - 37% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 33 lei (€7) | €13 | - 48% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 151 lei (€31) | €77 | - 60% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 15 lei (€3.08) | €2.52 | + 22% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 12 lei (€2.46) | €1.73 | + 42% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 16 lei (€3.29) | €2.36 | + 40% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 7 lei (€1.35) | €1.35 | - 0% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 10 lei (€1.94) | €1.38 | + 41% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 34 lei (€7) | €16 | - 57% | |
Entertainment | - 9% | |||
Entertainment in Bucharest (Romania) is 9% cheaper than in Essen (Germany) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 107 lei (€22) | €31 | - 29% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 49 lei (€10) | €19 | - 47% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 144 lei (€29) | €89 | - 67% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 206 lei (€42) | €56 | - 25% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 25 lei (€5.17) | €8 | - 31% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 12 lei (€2.38) | €3.15 | - 24% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 8 lei (€1.69) | €3.49 | - 52% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 2,726 lei (€553) | €460 | + 20% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.86 lei (€0.17) | €0.12 | + 50% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 225 lei (€46) | €27 | + 69% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 20 lei (€3.99) | €6 | - 36% | |
TOTAL | - 41% |

These prices were last updated on April 21, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.20302
EUR
/
RON
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Cost of living in Bucharest (Romania) is 41% cheaper than in Essen (Germany)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require €3,000 in Essen you would need to make just about €1,759 (8,662 lei) in Bucharest.
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