🇷🇴 Bucharest vs 🇩🇪 Cologne

Cost of living comparison · 2026

🇷🇴

Bucharest

Romania

$1,231–$1,949/mo

lei5,595 – lei8,859 / month (local)

🇩🇪

Cologne

Germany

$2,215–$3,508/mo

€2,051 – €3,248 / month (local)

Cologne is 80% more expensive

Bucharest wins on affordability

Cost breakdown

CategoryBucharest (USD)Cologne (USD)Winner
Rent (1-bed, city center)$923–$1,436$1,662–$2,585🟢 Bucharest
Rent (1-bed, outside center)$487–$769$877–$1,385🟢 Bucharest
Utilities$38–$74$69–$134🟢 Bucharest
Groceries$195–$292$351–$526🟢 Bucharest
Eating out (mid-range meal)$26–$46$46–$83🟢 Bucharest
Public transport (monthly)$49–$59$88–$106🟢 Bucharest
Internet & Mobile$15–$26$28–$46🟢 Bucharest
Gym membership$18–$33$32–$60🟢 Bucharest
Cinema ticket$7–$9$13–$17🟢 Bucharest
Monthly total (single)$1,231–$1,949$2,215–$3,508🟢 Bucharest

See how your salary compares in both cities

Enter monthly take-home in USD. We compare to our estimated budget range for your household (not financial advice).

Quality of life comparison

Housing7.3 / 10 · 4.6 / 10
Bucharest▲ better
Cologne
Safety8.8 / 10 · 8.2 / 10
Bucharest▲ better
Cologne
Healthcare8.8 / 10 · 8.2 / 10
Bucharest▲ better
Cologne
Education8.4 / 10 · 7.8 / 10
Bucharest▲ better
Cologne
Environment9.2 / 10 · 8.6 / 10
Bucharest▲ better
Cologne
Economy7.5 / 10 · 6.9 / 10
Bucharest▲ better
Cologne
Culture8.1 / 10 · 7.5 / 10
Bucharest▲ better
Cologne
Internet8.5 / 10 · 7.9 / 10
Bucharest▲ better
Cologne

Who should choose which city?

Choose Bucharest if…

  • You want lower typical monthly costs than Cologne
  • Very affordable
  • Fast internet
  • EU member
  • IT outsourcing

Choose Cologne if…

  • You're happy to pay more for what Cologne offers vs Bucharest
  • Cathedral
  • Carnival
  • Rhine
  • Media

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