Cost of living · Europe · Eurostat HICP 2023
🇷🇴 Cost of living in Romania
Romania undercuts most of the EU-27 across rent, groceries and transport - see the categories driving that gap and how far local income actually stretches.
- Cost index (EU-27=100)
- 58
- Rent index
- 46
- Median net income
- €5,800
- Cost-adjusted income
- €10,000
Romania sits at 58 on the 0-200 scale shown above.
Key takeaways
- Overall cost of living is 42% below the EU-27 average (index 58, EU-27 = 100).
- Most expensive category: utilities at index 78.
- Cheapest category: rent & housing at index 46.
- A typical income of €5,800 is worth about €10,000 in EU-average purchasing power.
Cost by category in Romania
Romania - price level by category (EU-27 = 100)
In Romania, utilities is the most expensive category and rent & housing the least.
What the Romania cost-of-living data shows
Romania's overall consumer price level is 42% below the EU-27 average. (How this index is built →)
Utilities lead the cost table in Romania at index 78, ahead of rent & housing at index 46 - heating, power and water outpace every other category here.
That price gap works strongly in Romania's favor: prices run far below the EU average, so the headline income of €5,800 goes much further than the sticker figure suggests, worth roughly €10,000 in EU-27-average purchasing power.
Countries with a similar cost of living
Frequently asked questions
Is Romania expensive to live in?▼
Romania's overall cost of living is 42% below the EU-27 average (index 58). Utilities is the priciest category and rent & housing the cheapest.
What does it cost to rent in Romania?▼
Romania's rent and housing price index is 46, below the EU norm.
How does income compare to costs in Romania?▼
That price gap works strongly in Romania's favor: prices run far below the EU average, so the headline income of €5,800 goes much further than the sticker figure suggests, worth roughly €10,000 in EU-27-average purchasing power.
Source: Eurostat, Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) and comparative price levels Eurostat, Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) and comparative price levels Price-level indices, EU-27 = 100, 2023. Income: Eurostat/OECD median equivalised net income.
Important: these figures are official Eurostat averages for general information and comparison, they are not personal financial advice. Your own cost of living depends on your city, housing and lifestyle, so treat this as a starting point and check current local prices before making any relocation or budget decision.
Read our methodology - how these indices are sourced and computed.