How Much Does It Cost to Live In Chisinau?
Chisinau is the capital of Moldova, and with that probably the most expensive city in the country as well.
It is still a gorgeous city to visit, with abundance of great food, gorgeous nature, sensational wine and organic fruits, vegetables and dairy.
One of its major problems is the public transport and the disastrous roads, but on the plus side – most things are very cheap and the gorgeous nature makes up for the bad roads.
It is definitely a unique city to visit and admire, and all that for a very low price.
Moldova : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
Restaurants in Chisinau are cheap taking into consideration European prices. Chisinau, like all of Moldova, is famous for its home-cooked food, but if you want to eat out, there’s an array of restaurants, both expensive and cheap. You can eat at fast food restaurants for a couple of dollars, or have a decent meal for two in a mid-range restaurant for only around 23$.
MARKETS
Moldova, as well as Chisinau, is famous for its organic, full of flavor and cheap food. The fresh food is bought not a week in advance but right before cooking dinner, and the groceries are very cheap. You can also buy fresh products that the farmers are selling all over Chisinau and especially in open markets: fresh dairy, fruits, and vegetables. The dairy especially is insanely delicious.
TRANSPORTATION
Public transportation is almost infamous in Chisinau. It’s famous for its bad roads and bad infrastructure that prevents cars from going fast. It is insanely cheap, though, with a monthly public transport pass that costs only 700$. Taxi is really cheap too, especially if you order it via phone or their iTaxi mobile app.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Utilities are reasonably priced in Chisinau, though they’re more expensive here than in other towns and smaller cities of Moldova. For an apartment of a larger structure, around 85m2, all basic utilities including electricity, water, gas, heating and cooling, cost around 130$. Internet is very cheap, costing only around 9$, and it works very well. Prepaid mobile services are very cheap as well.
SPORTS & LEISURE
Even indulging in sports and leisure isn’t too expensive in Chisinau! It costs around 26$ to become a member of gym or a fitness club which is a very low price when compared to other European countries. If you want to go to the cinema, the price of your tickets will be reasonable – around 6$ each.
CLOTHING & SHOES
Shopping in Chisinau, however, isn’t as cheap as you’d expect. Though it boasts many shopping centers, think twice before you decide to buy something because it may very well be more expensive than in your own country. For example, a pair of Levi’s jeans would cost you around 60$, while branded running sneakers would amount up to 95$.
RENT PER MONTH
Rent is really not that expensive in Chisinau either – though, if it’s going to be more costly anywhere, it’s going to be in the capital. Actually, it depends on where you want to live. If you’ve got your mind set on a one-bedroom apartment located in the center of the city, then be prepared to spill out around 250$.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Chisinau
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $5.84 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.05 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.50 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $0.67 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $0.36 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.29 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $0.12 |
| Monthly Pass | $7.01 |
| Gasoline | $1.05 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $133.15 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.08 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $9.55 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $26.25 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $9.91 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $5.84 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $60.82 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $39.00 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $95.98 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $266.78 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $197.38 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $468.65 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Chisinau?
The biggest bulk of one’s salary in Chisinau gets spend on food – this is the norm in most cities and countries around the world.
Rent does take up a big part of one’s income but it’s not critical – the rent can be much, much higher according to European standards.
Restaurants and transportation follow behind rent. Restaurants are basically a necessity for the well-off, and transportation is a necessity for everyone!
Utilities take up around 10% of the salary of an average person in Chisinau.
Average Costs Breakdown
Chisinau: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Chisinau has exceptionally low standards when it comes to salaries and wages, even though the salaries are highest in Chisinau.
Their minimum wage is much higher than the country’s average – it’s around 150$ but it is still shocking low even with those very low prices they have in Moldova.
The average monthly salary in Chisinau is around 305$, which can somehow be spread over the course of a month, but is nowhere near enough to live a life without worrying about tomorrow.
If you’re going to Chisinau and are thinking of staying for a longer period of time, 700$ a month would be more than enough.
Chisinau Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Chisinau Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
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