Can you live on $1,500 or €1,500 a month in Romania with a family? Short answer: Yes, but only if you can turn budgeting into an Olympic sport. Long answer: It’s complicated, and I don’t think most expats could do it
But let’s break it down below, together with my family’s expenses and stories based on living in Romania for all my life.
I know Romania is considered one of the cheapest countries in Europe – and, for the most part, it is – but it’s been a while now since prices started to increase rapidly, like everywhere in Europe, making cheap living a real challenge.
Times Are Changing, and So Are Prices
Once upon a time, Romania was Europe’s go-to spot for living on a shoestring. Not anymore.
The cost of living in Romania is going up, Romania no longer has the lowest salaries in Europe, and as a result, a budget of €1,500 might not be enough for most families.
In a recent debate between Presidential candidates Elena Lasconi and George Simion, for the now-annulled Romanian Presidential elections, they were both asked this question: “How much money does a family need, per month, to live a decent life?”
Their answers? 10,000 lei (around €2,000) and 12,000 lei (around €2,400) respectively.
So definitely a lot more than what was considered, just several years ago, a good monthly budget.
For context, back in 2013, my family of three managed to scrape by on just a bit under €1,500 in Bucharest – Romania’s most expensive city at the time – while juggling diapers, post-natal checkups (read about giving birth in Romania here), and a plethora of new & unexpected expenses (although just temporary, fortunately).
Fast forward to today, we’ve got no rent to pay and a tighter-than-tight spending plan, and our monthly average expenses are around €1,383. Toss in rent or an unexpected expense, and we’d be toast.
The skyrocketing cost of rent in Romania means that living on €1,500 per month as a family of three is becoming increasingly difficult.
How much would you need to live like an average Romanian?
The average Romanian family earns about €2,100 a month (that’s two average salaries combined). Looking at these numbers, the conclusion is clear: a family of three wouldn’t be able to live as an average Romanian with just €1,500/month.
But remember, this is average. The truth is that there are plenty of families earning much less and somehow surviving.
Here’s the thing though: surviving isn’t thriving. Many Romanian families rely on homegrown food, shared housing, or support networks that aren’t as accessible to expats. Inflation keeps nudging that average income higher, so €1,500 is losing its power by the day.
But, with a bit of planning, you might still be able to stretch a low budget into a decent living. Let’s see how!
What kind of lifestyle to realistically expect on €1,500 or $1,500 / month in Romania?
Here’s the harsh truth: On €1,500, you’re living the minimalist life. Think homemade meals, second-hand everything, and weekends spent bingeing Netflix instead of exploring Transylvania.
If any of the two main expenses are covered (either rent or food), then things will be much easier. It depends on what terms you get here – usually via your work contract. You can get more in-depth with getting a Residence Permit in Romania here or the easier Registration Certificate / CNP for EU nationals.
For a family of three, here’s what the bare-bones budget looks like:
| Expense | Monthly Cost (€) |
|---|---|
| Rent | 600 |
| Food | 550 |
| Utilities and Bills | 150 |
| Household Supplies/Personal Care | 50 |
| TOTAL | 1,350 |
This leaves €150 for all the extras: clothes, entertainment, healthcare costs, or unexpected expenses. That’s not a lot!
Despite the rising costs, Romania still offers better bang for your buck compared to many other countries.
Try finding a €600 apartment in Paris or a €550 monthly grocery bill in London. Exactly. The same goes for most expensive Western European countries, but also the US, Canada, and so on.
All in all, although not comfortable, this budget might still be enough for most families, although I recommend a minimum of €1,000 per month, per adult (so €2,000 per month).
This budget would give you some better options to enjoy the country, to eat out, to have some entertainment that’s more than watching Netflix at home, and maybe even travel a bit around the country.
Over to you now: If you were to only have €1,500 per month as a family, would it be enough to live a decent life in Romania?
- Best Neighborhoods to Live in Timisoara in 2025 - January 16, 2025
- 15 Best Things to See and Do in Cluj Napoca in 2025 - January 15, 2025
- 5 Best Romania Travel Guide Books You Should Read - January 14, 2025
I love learning about how other people live in different parts of the world. Vising Romania would be so interesting. 🙂
It would really be interesting! And a decent hotel room with breakfast included can be as low as $25 per night, so it’s also very cheap 🙂
I am hoping to live in Alba Iulia on 1500 a month. We own the house so no payments. Are you talking $2500 a month in Bucharest? Or is that rural romania?? I am hoping the monthly bills.. internet.. phone..heat.. taxes etc come in at under 1,000 per month. Your $2500 number actually has me re-evaluating viability of retiring in Romania. I can live well in rural Minnesota on $2500 a month with no home payment. I would sure hope i could do it in Romania.. but will now double check our numbers.
Hello Otto,
I was actually talking about $1,500 and not 2,500. Most Romanians live on a budged of under $1,000 per month so $1,500 is certainly doable in Alba Iulia and Bucharest too. The monthly bills will surely be well under $1,000 per month (internet, tv and phone is $20 per month, heat would be a maximum of $200 in the coldest months but generally much lower so yes, $1,500 should be enough to live a good life here)
Otto I moved here from Ukraine a few months ago. But moved there from Minnesota late 2020.
What is your rent there ? Isn’t that the costliest part of one’s budget?
If you are asking me, we pay no rent as we managed to pay our apartment in full. Renting in Romania can be really cheap: $300 will get you a nice 1 bedroom apartment in most cities here (even more in smaller ones).
It’s interesting to read the old comments. I think I could live easily on 1,500€. But my wife couldn’t! I gave up alcohol many years ago and I am a vegan, so no meat or dairy products. The next thing I want to give up is my car. Unfortunately, the wife needs to be chauffeured everywhere. She has no driver’s license.
Taxis are expensive here in Japan. Buses are infrequent and slow in our city. I could ride my bicycle in the summer but I would have to walk in the winter. In politics, it’s amazing how quickly everyone is ready to throw democracy under the bus just because prices have risen. Do they really think the far right, which is financed by the wealthy and large corporations is going to lower prices? Good luck with that!
Congrats on the changes you made, Stuart! I also gave up alcohol in 2014 and smoking in 2008. Eating a lot less meat since several years ago, but I love yogurt and white cheese 🙂
As for the prices… many people lack the education to understand how things work. I had a chat with one of the people that worked on the village house here in Romania and he said that he can’t understand why the government complains that they don’t have enough money. “They can print money whenever they want,” he said. “If they have to pay for something, why don’t they just print it and get it over with?”
He was upset that he had to pay more for health insurance and that the roads were in such poor condition. At the same time, he pays 0 tax because he does all the work without having a company registered, and without issuing any invoices. And I’m sure he’s not the only one…