Cost of Living in Chisinau
Summary of cost of living in Chisinau, Moldova:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $2,301.5 (39,851.5 L), excluding rent (using our estimator).
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $671.7 (11,630.0 L), excluding rent.
- Chisinau is 46.8% less expensive than Columbus (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
- Rent in Chisinau is, on average, 55.3% lower than in Columbus.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 165.00 L | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 850.00 L | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 150.00 L | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 35.00 L | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 35.00 L | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 35.56 L | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 20.67 L | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 14.59 L | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 22.05 L | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 10.98 L | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 11.02 L | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 45.02 L | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 79.38 L | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 41.97 L | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 70.31 L | |
| Apples (1 lb) | 7.80 L | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 15.25 L | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 15.34 L | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 17.26 L | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 5.72 L | |
| Onions (1 lb) | 4.13 L | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 23.81 L | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 16.43 L | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 80.00 L | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 21.51 L | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 34.53 L | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 60.00 L | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 6.00 L | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 234.00 L | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 35.00 L | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 9.66 L | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 90.00 L | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 25.54 L | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 526,000.00 L | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 512,386.67 L | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 3,841.66 L | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 152.50 L | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 169.20 L | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 662.06 L | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 366.08 L | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 150.00 L | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 7,361.47 L | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 121,858.54 L | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 1,339.41 L | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 826.00 L | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 2,041.09 L | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 1,995.16 L | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 11,801.47 L | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 7,860.53 L | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 22,111.93 L | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 14,064.69 L | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 4,213.18 L | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 3,069.01 L | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 15,044.40 L | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 8.85 | |
Prices in Chisinau
This city had 1336 entries in the past 12 months by 118 different contributors.
Last update: 17 May 2026
Last update: 17 May 2026
Sources and References
Moving to Chisinau? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Nearby Cities:| Cost of Living in Ialoveni | 8.24 miles |
| Cost of Living in Straseni | 15.04 miles |
| Cost of Living in Ciuciuleni | 24.25 miles |
| Cost of Living in Criuleni | 24.25 miles |
| Cost of Living in Dubasari | 26.66 miles |
| Cost of Living in Cimislia | 42.84 miles |
| Cost of Living in Nisporeni | 45.48 miles |
| Cost of Living in Telenesti | 52.40 miles |
| Cost of Living in Slobozia | 56.07 miles |
| Cost of Living in Talmaz | 60.39 miles |
This Page in Other Languages:
 DeutschLebenshaltungskosten in Chisinau
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 PortuguêsCusto de Vida em Chisinau
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 ItalianoCosto della vita a Chisinau
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 FrançaisCoût de la vie à Chisinau
|
 EspañolCoste de vida en Chisináu
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Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in Chisinau? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for Chisinau.
The food scene, along with the close proximity of everything - markets, pharmacies, public transport, and essential services - is a major advantage of the city and greatly enhances daily life.
In addition, many foreign entrepreneurs have established software companies here due to the advantages offered by the IT park regime, which applies a single 7% tax on income, covering all taxes, including salary-related ones. This has positioned Moldova as a growing IT hub, although its long-term sustainability remains uncertain.
Of course, challenges still exist: the ongoing war just across the border, extremely high prices per square meter for both rentals and property purchases, significant inequality between low-income and very wealthy groups, and a large number of Ukrainian migrants - factors that have contributed to rising prices and a higher cost of living.
For those who grew up here, it feels like a piece of heaven - but only after you recognize both its advantages and its limitations when compared to major metropolises.
RIP MOLDOVA