Skip to content

Bucharest vs London

Bucharest runs about 204% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 2,716 USD a month.

Floreasca business district in Bucharest, Romania, as seen from Lake Herăstrău.
Bucharest
$1,334/month · Romania
Madalin Pentelie · CC0
Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge as seen from the south bank of the River Thames.
London
$4,050/month · United Kingdom
Terry Ott from Washington, DC Metro Area, United States of America · CC BY 2.0
Bucharest monthly
$1,334
Index 21 (NYC = 100)
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+204%
London relative to Bucharest
Rent gap
$2,000
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

BucharestLondon
  • Housing
    Housing: Bucharest $600, London $2,600. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Food
    Food: Bucharest $385, London $617. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Transport
    Transport: Bucharest $45, London $282. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Bucharest $134, London $267. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Bucharest $17, London $8.03. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Bucharest $99, London $169. Cheaper in Bucharest.
  • Other
    Other: Bucharest $54, London $107. Cheaper in Bucharest.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricBucharestLondon
Cost
Total monthly cost1,334 USD✓4,050 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)21✓63
Housing600 USD✓2,600 USD
Utilities134 USD✓267 USD
Food385 USD✓617 USD
Transport45 USD✓282 USD
Healthcare17 USD8 USD✓
Lifestyle99 USD✓169 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,583 USD5,953 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate45.0%28.6%✓
Left over each month3,249 USD✓1,902 USD
Average local net salary1,200 USD3,600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre600 USD✓2,600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,100 USD✓5,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,400 USD✓15,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety74/100✓66/100
Healthcare62/10084/100✓
Air quality46/10060/100✓
Public transport78/10092/100✓
Walkability72/10090/100✓
English proficiency60/100100/100✓
Nightlife86/10094/100✓
Family friendliness70/10072/100✓
Median broadband260 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature12°C12°C
Summer high30°C23°C✓
Winter low-4°C3°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,120 h✓1,480 h
Annual rainfall600 mm600 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach accessNone nearby90 min✓
CurrencyRONGBP
Time zoneEurope/BucharestEurope/London

Bucharest runs about 204% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 2,716 USD a month.

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in BucharestCost of living in LondonConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Bucharest vs BelgradeBucharest vs BudapestBucharest vs Kraków
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Bucharest or London cheaper?

Bucharest runs about 204% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 2,716 USD a month.

What salary do you need in London compared with Bucharest?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,583 a month in Bucharest and $5,953 in London, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Bucharest or London?

Bucharest scores 74/100 on safety and 62/100 on healthcare; London scores 66 and 84. Bucharest averages 12°C against 12°C in London.