Cost of Living: Moldova vs Japan

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

Data updated: September 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Moldova is 14.3% cheaper than Japan. The biggest difference is in Mobile and Internet, where costs are 69.6% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in Japan, you would spend about $86 in Moldova for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Mobile and Internet 69.6%

Moldova is 69.6% cheaper

Salaries And Financing 69.2%

Moldova is 69.2% cheaper

Property Prices 62.2%

Moldova is 62.2% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 14.3%

Moldova is 14.3% cheaper than Japan

Most Expensive Categories

  • Transportation +52.8%
  • Clothing And Shoes +45.6%
  • Household Utilities +8.4%

Is Moldova cheaper than Japan?

Yes, Moldova is cheaper than Japan

Overall, living costs in Moldova are 14.3% lower than in Japan.

Where Moldova is cheaper:

  • Mobile and Internet 69.6% cheaper
  • Salaries And Financing 69.2% cheaper
  • Property Prices 62.2% cheaper

Where Moldova is more expensive:

  • Transportation 52.8% more expensive
  • Clothing And Shoes 45.6% more expensive
  • Household Utilities 8.4% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Moldova: 8.70 $ Japan: 7.01 $
24.1% more expensive in Moldova

Monthly public transport pass

Moldova: 13.58 $ Japan: 58.97 $
77.0% cheaper in Moldova

1 liter of milk

Moldova: 1.23 $ Japan: 1.56 $
21.2% cheaper in Moldova

1 liter of gasoline

Moldova: 1.39 $ Japan: 1.22 $
13.9% more expensive in Moldova

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Moldova is indeed cheaper than Japan. You would save approximately 14.3% on living expenses by choosing Moldova over Japan. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

14.3%

Moldova is 14.3% cheaper than Japan

Restaurants

14.1%

Moldova is 14.1% cheaper than Japan in this category

Markets

47.5%

Moldova is 47.5% cheaper than Japan in this category

Other Expenses

24.0%

Moldova is 24.0% cheaper than Japan in this category

Transportation

52.8%

Moldova is 52.8% more expensive than Japan in this category

Household Utilities

8.4%

Moldova is 8.4% more expensive than Japan in this category

Mobile and Internet

69.6%

Moldova is 69.6% cheaper than Japan in this category

Sports And Leisure

25.2%

Moldova is 25.2% cheaper than Japan in this category

Childcare

44.2%

Moldova is 44.2% cheaper than Japan in this category

Clothing And Shoes

45.6%

Moldova is 45.6% more expensive than Japan in this category

Rent Per Month

8.9%

Moldova is 8.9% cheaper than Japan in this category

Property Prices

62.2%

Moldova is 62.2% cheaper than Japan in this category

Salaries And Financing

69.2%

Moldova is 69.2% cheaper than Japan in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Moldova Japan Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 8.70 $ 7.01 $ 24.1%
Moldova is 24.1% more expensive
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 34.81 $ 35.03 $ 0.6%
Moldova is 0.6% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 7.54 $ 5.61 $ 34.4%
Moldova is 34.4% more expensive
Regular Cappuccino 1.74 $ 3.36 $ 48.2%
Moldova is 48.2% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 0.97 $ 1.12 $ 13.4%
Moldova is 13.4% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 0.61 $ 0.82 $ 25.6%
Moldova is 25.6% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.83 $ 0.94 $ 11.7%
Moldova is 11.7% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml) 1.54 $ 2.32 $ 33.6%
Moldova is 33.6% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 3.11 $ 8.42 $ 63.1%
Moldova is 63.1% cheaper
Mid-Range Wine 5.88 $ 11.20 $ 47.5%
Moldova is 47.5% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 1.14 $ 2.04 $ 44.1%
Moldova is 44.1% cheaper
Milk (1L) 1.23 $ 1.56 $ 21.2%
Moldova is 21.2% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 0.53 $ 1.59 $ 66.7%
Moldova is 66.7% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 1.46 $ 4.51 $ 67.6%
Moldova is 67.6% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 2.47 $ 2.24 $ 10.3%
Moldova is 10.3% more expensive
Local Cheese (1kg) 9.80 $ 12.14 $ 19.3%
Moldova is 19.3% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 5.28 $ 6.92 $ 23.7%
Moldova is 23.7% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 24.66 $ 17.18 $ 43.5%
Moldova is 43.5% more expensive
Apples (1kg) 0.82 $ 5.37 $ 84.7%
Moldova is 84.7% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 1.83 $ 2.62 $ 30.2%
Moldova is 30.2% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 1.73 $ 4.78 $ 63.8%
Moldova is 63.8% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 2.03 $ 4.84 $ 58.1%
Moldova is 58.1% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 0.77 $ 2.85 $ 73.0%
Moldova is 73.0% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 0.57 $ 2.65 $ 78.5%
Moldova is 78.5% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 1.33 $ 1.39 $ 4.3%
Moldova is 4.3% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 13.58 $ 58.97 $ 77.0%
Moldova is 77.0% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 3.19 $ 4.20 $ 24.0%
Moldova is 24.0% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 0.35 $ 1.54 $ 77.3%
Moldova is 77.3% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 2.03 $ 4.20 $ 51.7%
Moldova is 51.7% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 0.29 $ 3.15 $ 90.8%
Moldova is 90.8% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 5.22 $ 23.82 $ 78.1%
Moldova is 78.1% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 1.39 $ 1.22 $ 13.9%
Moldova is 13.9% more expensive
New Economy Car 31,908.75 $ 23,415.29 $ 36.3%
Moldova is 36.3% more expensive
New Mid-Range Car 31,354.31 $ 17,953.06 $ 74.6%
Moldova is 74.6% more expensive
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 193.89 $ 178.92 $ 8.4%
Moldova is 8.4% more expensive
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 8.10 $ 27.25 $ 70.3%
Moldova is 70.3% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 11.02 $ 35.66 $ 69.1%
Moldova is 69.1% cheaper
Gym Membership 39.45 $ 60.05 $ 34.3%
Moldova is 34.3% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 19.64 $ 15.69 $ 25.2%
Moldova is 25.2% more expensive
Movie Ticket 7.54 $ 13.31 $ 43.4%
Moldova is 43.4% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 376.55 $ 348.57 $ 8.0%
Moldova is 8.0% more expensive
International School (Yearly) 7,363.87 $ 13,519.03 $ 45.5%
Moldova is 45.5% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 61.85 $ 49.02 $ 26.2%
Moldova is 26.2% more expensive
1 Summer Dress 48.00 $ 32.77 $ 46.5%
Moldova is 46.5% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 107.50 $ 63.16 $ 70.2%
Moldova is 70.2% more expensive
1 Pair of Business Shoes 121.39 $ 87.75 $ 38.3%
Moldova is 38.3% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 616.81 $ 624.64 $ 1.3%
Moldova is 1.3% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 435.29 $ 424.63 $ 2.5%
Moldova is 2.5% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,147.13 $ 1,366.33 $ 16.0%
Moldova is 16.0% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 754.88 $ 825.90 $ 8.6%
Moldova is 8.6% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 2,181.22 $ 6,447.80 $ 66.2%
Moldova is 66.2% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 1,599.41 $ 3,555.73 $ 55.0%
Moldova is 55.0% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 662.36 $ 2,177.14 $ 69.6%
Moldova is 69.6% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 9.36 1.82 414.3%
Moldova is 414.3% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Japan. 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 Japan 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 Japan

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

Cultural Cost Differences

Moldova

  • Higher fuel costs indicate different transportation preferences.

Japan

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.

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 Japan

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