If you are planning to study, work or settle in Romania, then the first question that must have come to your mind is:
“How expensive is it to live there?”
So friends, I recently went to Romania and today I am going to share my own experience with you all – in which every expense has been compared in detail in Pakistani Rupees (PKR) and Indian Rupees (INR). This guide will give you a real picture of the cost of living in Romania 2025.
1.Rent / Rent in Romania

The first and the biggest monthly expense is rent.
If you rent a 1-bedroom apartment in Romania’s capital Bucharest:
City center: €450/month
Outside the city: €300–€350/month
But if you are in smaller cities like Cluj-Napoca, Iasi, or Timisoara, the rent is even lower: €250–€350/month
Conversion:
€450 ≈ 145,000 PKR
€450 ≈ ₹41,000 INR
This is the same rent in big cities of Pakistan or India like Lahore, Karachi, or Delhi. But in Romania you get modern apartments and better living standards.
2.Food & Groceries

Monthly grocery cost for a single person is approx. €150–€200. In this you get basic kitchen items:
- Bread: €1
- Milk (1L): €1.2
- Eggs (12): €2.5
- Chicken (1kg): €5
- Rice (1kg): €1.8
- Fruits & vegetables: €20–€30/month
Conversion for €200:
≈ 64,000 PKR
≈ ₹18,000 INR
If you buy groceries from local Romanian brands and supermarkets then it is even more affordable.
🍽️ 3. Eating Out / Restaurants

If you eat food in a restaurant then:
- Local meal: €7
- McDonald’s combo: €6.5
- 2-person dinner at a mid-range restaurant: €30
Conversion: €30
≈ 9,600 PKR
≈ ₹2,700 INR
This cost is much less than UK or UAE, and the food quality is also of European standard.
🚎 4. Public Transport in Romania

Romania’s transport system is reliable and affordable:
- Metro/bus ticket: €0.60
- Monthly transport pass: €15
- Taxi ride (5km): €3–€5
- Petrol (1L): €1.5
Conversion: €15
≈ 4,800 PKR
≈ ₹1,350 INR
You can save a lot of money by using public transport in Romania.
✓ 5. Utilities & Internet

Average utility cost of a 1-bedroom apartment:
- Electricity, gas, water, heating: €100–€130/month
- Internet (high-speed): €10–€15/month
Conversion: €130
≈ 41,600 PKR
≈ ₹11,700 INR
Romania’s internet is very fast and stable. Unlimited packages are easily available.
🏥 6. Healthcare & Insurance

- Private doctor visit: €25
- Health insurance: €40/month
- Medicines: Mostly subsidized
Conversion: €40
≈ 13,000 PKR
≈ ₹3,600 INR
Healthcare is quite accessible and affordable for expats and TRC holders.
🔥 7. Lifestyle & Entertainment

Romania’s lifestyle is modern and youth-friendly:
- Gym membership: €30/month
- Cinema ticket: €6
- Branded shopping (Zara, H&M): €30–€50/item
- Internet cafes, clubs, co-working spaces are also active and budget-friendly.
People whose lifestyle has come from Pakistan or India will find this cost quite reasonable.
📊 8. Total Monthly Cost in Romania (2025)
Total Monthly Expense in Romania
Expense | Euro (€) | PKR | INR |
---|---|---|---|
Rent (1 BHK) | €400 | 128,000 PKR | ₹36,000 |
Groceries | €180 | 57,600 PKR | ₹16,200 |
Transport | €15 | 4,800 PKR | ₹1,350 |
Utilities & Internet | €120 | 38,400 PKR | ₹10,800 |
Health Insurance | €40 | 12,800 PKR | ₹3,600 |
Entertainment | €50 | 16,000 PKR | ₹4,500 |
Total Monthly Cost | €805 | 257,600 PKR | ₹72,450 |
In Romania you can live a comfortable, safe and high-standard life for €805/month (around 2.5 lakh PKR or ₹72,000 INR) – which is much cheaper than UK, USA or Dubai!
✅ Final Thoughts
So friends, if you are planning to shift to Romania — for studies, job or TRC — then this country offers a budget-friendly, peaceful and modern lifestyle.
You get:
- European standard lifestyle
- Affordable rent and utilities
- Public transport and health care access
- Visa-free travel across Schengen zone (with TRC)
What are your plans regarding Romania? Do tell us in the comments below!
If you found this article helpful, then share it with those friends who are thinking of shifting to Europe.
Very informative content