From rent to food to transport — what you'll actually spend each month in Bucharest, Cluj, and other university cities.
The most common question we get from students researching Romania: "How much money do I actually need each month?" The answer depends on your city, your housing type, and your lifestyle. But you deserve real numbers — not optimistic minimums or inflated worst-case estimates.
According to Numbeo's 2025 Cost of Living Index, Romania ranks among the five most affordable countries in Europe for consumer prices. Eurostat data puts Romania's price level at around 53% of the EU average — meaning your money goes nearly twice as far here as in Western Europe. That difference compounds significantly over a four or six-year degree.
Most international students in Romania live comfortably on €500–€800 per month. That covers rent, food, transport, utilities, and a normal social life. Students in dormitories manage on €400. Students in Bucharest with private apartments and active social lives spend €900–€1,100.
"Romania consistently delivers one of the best value propositions in Europe for students. The combination of low rent, cheap food, and affordable transport means students can live well on budgets that would barely cover rent alone in cities like Amsterdam or Dublin." — Based on Numbeo cost of living comparisons, 2025
Rent is your biggest monthly cost. It varies significantly by city and whether you live in a dormitory or rent privately. Read our student housing guide for a full walkthrough of your options.
University dormitories cost €60–€150 per month including utilities. Availability is not guaranteed — apply early through your university's international office.
Private rentals give you more independence. Shared apartments with two or three students are the most common choice:
| City | Shared room (private apt) | Studio (alone) |
|---|---|---|
| Iași | €180–€280/month | €280–€400/month |
| Cluj-Napoca | €220–€340/month | €350–€500/month |
| Timișoara | €200–€300/month | €300–€430/month |
| Bucharest | €280–€400/month | €400–€600/month |
| Sibiu / Brașov | €180–€280/month | €270–€380/month |
Rents have risen in Cluj and Bucharest over the past three years. Use the figures above for planning — not older estimates you might find online. Our cities guide compares student life and costs across Romania's main university cities. And our city comparison article helps you weigh up which city actually fits your situation.
Romania is one of the cheapest countries in Europe for food, whether you cook or eat out.
Cooking at home. A weekly grocery shop covering essentials costs €25–€40. Monthly budget for home cooking: €100–€160.
Eating out. A sit-down meal at a local restaurant costs €5–€9. Coffee runs €1.50–€2.50. University canteens offer the cheapest option — subsidised meals cost as little as €2–€3.
Monthly food budget for a realistic mix of cooking and eating out: €150–€220.
Romanian cities have solid public transport networks — buses, trams, trolleybuses, and metro in Bucharest. Monthly passes cost €8–€15 depending on the city. Student discounts apply once you're enrolled.
Bolt and Uber both operate widely across Romania. A city centre ride costs €2–€5. You won't need a car.
Monthly transport budget: €15–€40.
When you rent privately, utilities come on top of rent. A shared apartment's monthly costs — electricity, heating, water, internet — run €30–€60 per person. Budget more in winter when heating use rises. Romanian broadband is among the fastest in Europe and costs very little.
Monthly utilities budget: €30–€70.
Non-EU students must hold valid health insurance for their entire stay. Private international student health insurance costs €40–€80 per month, depending on the provider and coverage level. You need this before your visa application — our first month in Romania guide covers how to set this up on arrival.
Monthly health insurance budget: €40–€80.
A cinema ticket costs €5–€8. A night out runs €15–€30. Gym memberships start at €15–€30 per month. Romania has an active student social scene — especially in Cluj and Iași — and most activities cost a fraction of what you'd pay in Western Europe.
Monthly personal and social budget: €80–€150.
| Category | Budget range |
|---|---|
| Rent (shared private apartment) | €180–€400 |
| Food | €150–€220 |
| Transport | €15–€40 |
| Utilities | €30–€70 |
| Health insurance | €40–€80 |
| Personal and social | €80–€150 |
| Total | €495–€960 |
A comfortable middle ground — private room in a shared apartment, mostly home cooking, occasional dining out, normal social life — lands around €650–€750 per month in most Romanian cities, and slightly more in Bucharest.
| Country | Estimated monthly living costs |
|---|---|
| Romania | €500–€800 |
| Hungary | €700–€1,000 |
| Poland | €700–€1,100 |
| Germany | €1,000–€1,400 |
| Netherlands | €1,100–€1,600 |
| UK | €1,400–€2,000 |
Over a six-year medical degree, the difference between Romania and Germany in living costs alone adds up to €30,000–€50,000. Combined with lower tuition, the total saving over the full program is very substantial.
"The price level in Romania for consumer goods and services stands at around 53% of the EU average, making it one of the most affordable places to live within the European Union." — Eurostat, Comparative Price Levels of Consumer Goods and Services, 2024
Open a Romanian bank account early. Rent, utilities, and university payments go more smoothly with a local account. Our on-arrival support includes bank account setup assistance. Read our first month guide for the full arrival checklist.
Bring enough cash for your first month. Setting up banking, paying a deposit, and covering initial costs before your first month settles takes more upfront than you expect. Budget accordingly.
Factor in one-time arrival costs. A rental deposit — usually one or two months' rent — plus a SIM card and initial household supplies adds €300–€600 to your first month. Plan for it now rather than scrambling on arrival.
During your consultation, we walk through your budget, your city preferences, and realistic housing options. You arrive with a clear financial plan rather than rough estimates. Book a consultation — €50, deducted from your total if you proceed. Or send us a message with specific questions.
Most international students live comfortably on €500–€800 per month. This covers a shared apartment, groceries, transport, utilities, health insurance, and a normal social life. Students in dormitories manage on €400. Students in Bucharest with private apartments spend up to €1,100. Your actual number depends on your city, housing choice, and lifestyle.
Yes, Romania is cheaper than both. Numbeo's 2025 data puts Romania's consumer prices roughly 15–25% below Poland and Hungary. Monthly living costs in Poland and Hungary typically run €700–€1,100, compared to €500–€800 in Romania. The gap is most visible in rent and food.
In Cluj-Napoca, a shared room in a private apartment runs €220–€340 per month. Cluj is one of Romania's pricier cities for rent — demand is high and the international student community is large. If budget is a priority, cities like Iași or Timișoara offer comparable quality of life at lower rent. Read our city comparison guide for a full breakdown.
Yes, if you live in a dormitory or one of the more affordable cities like Iași. A university dorm costs €60–€150 per month including utilities, which frees up significant budget for food, transport, and personal expenses. In a private apartment in a mid-size city, €500 is tight but workable if you cook most meals and keep social spending moderate.
If you cook most of your meals, budget €100–€160 per month for groceries. A realistic mix of home cooking and occasional restaurant meals costs €150–€220 per month. University canteen meals cost as little as €2–€3. Eating out at a local restaurant runs €5–€9 per meal. Romania is one of the cheapest countries in Europe for food.
Bucharest is the most expensive city in Romania for students — but it's still far cheaper than most Western European capitals. Expect to spend €900–€1,100 per month in Bucharest with a private apartment and normal social life, compared to €650–€750 in cities like Iași or Timișoara. The trade-off is a larger city with more career opportunities and a bigger international community. See our cities guide for a full comparison.
Book a consultation and we'll take it from here.
Book a consultation — €50Fee deducted from your total if you proceed