Cost of living in Bucharest (Romania) is 47% cheaper than in Warsaw (Poland)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,498 prices entered by 131 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 44% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bucharest (Romania) is 44% cheaper than in Warsaw (Poland) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Warsaw | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 49 lei (41 zł) | 48 zł | - 15% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 33 lei (27 zł) | 35 zł | - 23% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 16 lei (14 zł) | 22 zł | - 38% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 7 lei (6 zł) | 7 zł | - 16% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 14 lei (11 zł) | 23 zł | - 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 10 lei (9 zł) | 19 zł | - 54% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 21 lei (18 zł) | 35 zł | - 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 4.66 lei (3.90 zł) | 9 zł | - 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 3.77 lei (3.16 zł) | 7 zł | - 57% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 4.73 lei (3.96 zł) | 7 zł | - 41% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 32 lei (27 zł) | 48 zł | - 43% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 10 lei (8 zł) | 13 zł | - 38% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 2.75 lei (2.31 zł) | 13 zł | - 82% | |
| Housing | - 58% | |||
| Housing in Bucharest (Romania) is 58% cheaper than in Warsaw (Poland) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Warsaw | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 4,228 lei (3,539 zł) | 7,741 zł | - 54% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 2,699 lei (2,259 zł) | 7,401 zł | - 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 579 lei (485 zł) | 1,570 zł | - 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 2,536 lei (2,122 zł) | 5,751 zł | - 63% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 1,876 lei (1,570 zł) | 4,662 zł | - 66% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 370 lei (310 zł) | 840 zł | - 63% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 36 lei (30 zł) | 84 zł | - 64% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,360 lei (1,138 zł) | 2,204 zł | - 48% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 422 lei (353 zł) | 608 zł | - 42% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 50 lei (42 zł) | 33 zł | + 26% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 60 lei (50 zł) | 44 zł | + 14% | |
| Clothes | - 38% | |||
| Clothes in Bucharest (Romania) is 38% cheaper than in Warsaw (Poland) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Warsaw | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 342 lei (286 zł) | 530 zł | - 46% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 154 lei (129 zł) | 146 zł | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 407 lei (341 zł) | 455 zł | - 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 341 lei (285 zł) | 904 zł | - 68% | |
| Transportation | - 45% | |||
| Transportation in Bucharest (Romania) is 45% cheaper than in Warsaw (Poland) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Warsaw | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 109,060 lei (91,281 zł) | 148,401 zł | - 38% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 7 lei (6 zł) | 9 zł | - 30% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 98 lei (82 zł) | 152 zł | - 46% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 26 lei (22 zł) | 127 zł | - 83% | |
| Personal Care | - 29% | |||
| Personal Care in Bucharest (Romania) is 29% cheaper than in Warsaw (Poland) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Warsaw | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 29 lei (24 zł) | 29 zł | - 16% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 41 lei (34 zł) | 43 zł | - 20% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 253 lei (212 zł) | 269 zł | - 21% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 24 lei (20 zł) | 26 zł | - 24% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 20 lei (17 zł) | 24 zł | - 28% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 23 lei (20 zł) | 18 zł | + 8% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 8 lei (6 zł) | 17 zł | - 61% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 16 lei (13 zł) | 18 zł | - 28% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 65 lei (55 zł) | 114 zł | - 52% | |
| Entertainment | - 42% | |||
| Entertainment in Bucharest (Romania) is 42% cheaper than in Warsaw (Poland) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Warsaw | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 126 lei (105 zł) | 156 zł | - 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 60 lei (50 zł) | 102 zł | - 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 168 lei (141 zł) | 532 zł | - 74% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 214 lei (179 zł) | 306 zł | - 42% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 31 lei (26 zł) | 39 zł | - 33% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 14 lei (12 zł) | 20 zł | - 39% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 12 lei (10 zł) | 24 zł | - 60% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,810 lei (3,189 zł) | 2,728 zł | + 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.63 lei (0.53 zł) | 1.59 zł | - 67% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 183 lei (153 zł) | 161 zł | - 5% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 27 lei (22 zł) | 50 zł | - 56% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 47% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,498 prices entered by 131 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.837
PLN
/
RON
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require 22,000 zł in Warsaw you would need to make just about 11,692 zł (13,969 lei) in Bucharest.
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Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
Prices recently added
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