Cost of Living: Moldova vs Germany

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Moldova and Germany.

Data updated: September 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Moldova is 45.4% cheaper than Germany. The biggest difference is in Salaries And Financing, where costs are 79.5% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in Germany, you would spend about $55 in Moldova for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Salaries And Financing 79.5%

Moldova is 79.5% cheaper

Mobile and Internet 75.5%

Moldova is 75.5% cheaper

Other Expenses 66.6%

Moldova is 66.6% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 45.4%

Moldova is 45.4% cheaper than Germany

Most Expensive Categories

Is Moldova cheaper than Germany?

Yes, Moldova is cheaper than Germany

Overall, living costs in Moldova are 45.4% lower than in Germany.

Where Moldova is cheaper:

  • Salaries And Financing 79.5% cheaper
  • Mobile and Internet 75.5% cheaper
  • Other Expenses 66.6% cheaper

Where Moldova is more expensive:

No significant cost disadvantages found.

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Moldova: 8.70 $ Germany: 17.07 $
49.0% cheaper in Moldova

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Moldova: 616.81 $ Germany: 1,014.84 $
39.2% cheaper in Moldova

Monthly public transport pass

Moldova: 13.58 $ Germany: 62.61 $
78.3% cheaper in Moldova

1 liter of gasoline

Moldova: 1.39 $ Germany: 1.97 $
29.4% cheaper in Moldova

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Moldova is indeed cheaper than Germany. You would save approximately 45.4% on living expenses by choosing Moldova over Germany. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

45.4%

Moldova is 45.4% cheaper than Germany

Restaurants

49.4%

Moldova is 49.4% cheaper than Germany in this category

Markets

50.8%

Moldova is 50.8% cheaper than Germany in this category

Other Expenses

66.6%

Moldova is 66.6% cheaper than Germany in this category

Transportation

6.6%

Moldova is 6.6% cheaper than Germany in this category

Household Utilities

43.8%

Moldova is 43.8% cheaper than Germany in this category

Mobile and Internet

75.5%

Moldova is 75.5% cheaper than Germany in this category

Sports And Leisure

14.5%

Moldova is 14.5% cheaper than Germany in this category

Childcare

48.9%

Moldova is 48.9% cheaper than Germany in this category

Clothing And Shoes

7.6%

Moldova is 7.6% cheaper than Germany in this category

Rent Per Month

42.0%

Moldova is 42.0% cheaper than Germany in this category

Property Prices

66.0%

Moldova is 66.0% cheaper than Germany in this category

Salaries And Financing

79.5%

Moldova is 79.5% cheaper than Germany in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Moldova Germany Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 8.70 $ 17.07 $ 49.0%
Moldova is 49.0% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 34.81 $ 73.99 $ 53.0%
Moldova is 53.0% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 7.54 $ 11.38 $ 33.7%
Moldova is 33.7% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 1.74 $ 3.99 $ 56.4%
Moldova is 56.4% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 0.97 $ 3.28 $ 70.4%
Moldova is 70.4% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 0.61 $ 2.95 $ 79.3%
Moldova is 79.3% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.83 $ 1.07 $ 22.4%
Moldova is 22.4% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml) 1.54 $ 5.69 $ 72.9%
Moldova is 72.9% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 3.11 $ 1.74 $ 78.7%
Moldova is 78.7% more expensive
Mid-Range Wine 5.88 $ 9.11 $ 35.5%
Moldova is 35.5% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 1.14 $ 1.98 $ 42.4%
Moldova is 42.4% cheaper
Milk (1L) 1.23 $ 1.26 $ 2.4%
Moldova is 2.4% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 0.53 $ 2.19 $ 75.8%
Moldova is 75.8% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 1.46 $ 3.33 $ 56.2%
Moldova is 56.2% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 2.47 $ 3.79 $ 34.8%
Moldova is 34.8% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 9.80 $ 14.58 $ 32.8%
Moldova is 32.8% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 5.28 $ 13.95 $ 62.2%
Moldova is 62.2% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 24.66 $ 19.57 $ 26.0%
Moldova is 26.0% more expensive
Apples (1kg) 0.82 $ 3.16 $ 74.1%
Moldova is 74.1% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 1.83 $ 1.81 $ 1.1%
Moldova is 1.1% more expensive
Oranges (1kg) 1.73 $ 2.25 $ 23.1%
Moldova is 23.1% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 2.03 $ 4.77 $ 57.4%
Moldova is 57.4% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 0.77 $ 1.56 $ 50.6%
Moldova is 50.6% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 0.57 $ 1.59 $ 64.2%
Moldova is 64.2% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 1.33 $ 1.86 $ 28.5%
Moldova is 28.5% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 13.58 $ 62.61 $ 78.3%
Moldova is 78.3% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 3.19 $ 9.56 $ 66.6%
Moldova is 66.6% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 0.35 $ 3.64 $ 90.4%
Moldova is 90.4% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 2.03 $ 5.58 $ 63.6%
Moldova is 63.6% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 0.29 $ 2.85 $ 89.8%
Moldova is 89.8% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 5.22 $ 37.56 $ 86.1%
Moldova is 86.1% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 1.39 $ 1.97 $ 29.4%
Moldova is 29.4% cheaper
New Economy Car 31,908.75 $ 30,939.70 $ 3.1%
Moldova is 3.1% more expensive
New Mid-Range Car 31,354.31 $ 36,770.68 $ 14.7%
Moldova is 14.7% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 193.89 $ 344.76 $ 43.8%
Moldova is 43.8% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 8.10 $ 27.11 $ 70.1%
Moldova is 70.1% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 11.02 $ 50.88 $ 78.3%
Moldova is 78.3% cheaper
Gym Membership 39.45 $ 39.89 $ 1.1%
Moldova is 1.1% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 19.64 $ 24.36 $ 19.4%
Moldova is 19.4% cheaper
Movie Ticket 7.54 $ 13.66 $ 44.8%
Moldova is 44.8% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 376.55 $ 465.43 $ 19.1%
Moldova is 19.1% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 7,363.87 $ 14,669.30 $ 49.8%
Moldova is 49.8% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 61.85 $ 91.97 $ 32.7%
Moldova is 32.7% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 48.00 $ 43.30 $ 10.9%
Moldova is 10.9% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 107.50 $ 100.63 $ 6.8%
Moldova is 6.8% more expensive
1 Pair of Business Shoes 121.39 $ 130.63 $ 7.1%
Moldova is 7.1% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 616.81 $ 1,014.84 $ 39.2%
Moldova is 39.2% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 435.29 $ 764.76 $ 43.1%
Moldova is 43.1% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,147.13 $ 1,887.97 $ 39.2%
Moldova is 39.2% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 754.88 $ 1,429.32 $ 47.2%
Moldova is 47.2% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 2,181.22 $ 6,242.76 $ 65.1%
Moldova is 65.1% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 1,599.41 $ 4,879.58 $ 67.2%
Moldova is 67.2% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 662.36 $ 3,276.32 $ 79.8%
Moldova is 79.8% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 9.36 3.98 135.2%
Moldova is 135.2% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Germany. Enter your monthly expenses in Moldova to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Moldova and Germany goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Moldova vs Germany

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Moldova

Germany

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.
  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in Moldova Cost of living in Germany

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