Cost Of Living For a Student in Moldova 2024
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: MDL
Average monthly spending for students in Moldova
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Moldova?
Students in Moldova spend around 19,000 MDL per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 2,900 MDL or as high as 130,000 MDL. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Moldova
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
| 270 MDL | 400 MDL | 1,600 MDL |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 100,000 MDL | 200,000 MDL | 270,000 MDL |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 120 MDL | 770 MDL | 5,200 MDL |
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
| 220 MDL | 310 MDL | 1,000 MDL |
Woman shoes
Men's shoes
Men suit
| 200 MDL | 250 MDL | 1,300 MDL |
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 3,300 MDL | 5,000 MDL | 13,000 MDL |
1-bedroom apartment
| 5,000 MDL | 8,000 MDL | 20,000 MDL |
2-bedroom apartment
| 6,700 MDL | 10,000 MDL | 27,000 MDL |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 670,000 MDL | 1M MDL | 2M MDL |
1-bedroom apartment
| 800,000 MDL | 1.3M MDL | 5M MDL |
2-bedroom apartment
| $75,000 | $230,000 | $450,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 4,000 MDL | 5,000 MDL | 6,700 MDL |
Double Bed
| 2,700 MDL | 4,000 MDL | 5,000 MDL |
Single Bed
| 2,400 MDL | 3,100 MDL | 4,000 MDL |
Living Room
| 4,500 MDL | 5,700 MDL | 20,000 MDL |
Dining Table
| 2,000 MDL | 2,700 MDL | 5,000 MDL |
Sofa or Couch
| 2,700 MDL | 3,600 MDL | 8,000 MDL |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 2,700 MDL | 4,000 MDL | 8,000 MDL |
Fridge or Freezer
| 2,400 MDL | 3,600 MDL | 5,000 MDL |
Washing Machine
| 3,100 MDL | 4,500 MDL | 8,000 MDL |
Stove or Cooker
| 2,900 MDL | 3,600 MDL | 5,000 MDL |
Mobile Phone
| 3,300 MDL | 4,000 MDL | 5,700 MDL |
Laptop or Computer
| 3,600 MDL | 4,500 MDL | 8,000 MDL |
How do students spend their money in Moldova?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost21%
21% of total expenses on average (16% to 27%)
| LOW | $40 710 MDL |
| AVERAGE | $260 4,600 MDL |
| HIGH | $1,700 31,000 MDL |
| Per Month |
Students in Moldova typically spend from 16% to 27% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 21% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 4,600 MDL with expenditure ranging from 710 MDL to 31,000 MDL. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)
| LOW | $6.6 120 MDL |
| AVERAGE | $43 770 MDL |
| HIGH | $290 5,200 MDL |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Moldova ranges from 3% to 9% of total expenses with 5% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 770 MDL with 120 MDL and 5,200 MDL being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel6%
6% of total expenses on average (5% to 12%)
| LOW | $12 210 MDL |
| AVERAGE | $76 1,400 MDL |
| HIGH | $510 9,000 MDL |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 210 MDL to 9,000 MDL in a month on commuting with 1,400 MDL being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 6% of total spending on average but can go as low as 5% or as high as 12%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost21%
21% of total expenses on average (15% to 25%)
| LOW | $33 590 MDL |
| AVERAGE | $220 3,900 MDL |
| HIGH | $1,400 26,000 MDL |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Moldova is 3,900 MDL. The cost of groceries can range between 590 MDL to 26,000 MDL. Students spend on average about 21% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 15% and 25% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare7%
7% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $10 180 MDL |
| AVERAGE | $65 1,200 MDL |
| HIGH | $430 7,700 MDL |
| Per Month |
Students in Moldova allocate 4% to 10% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 7%. The range of medical expenses range from 180 MDL to 7,700 MDL with 1,200 MDL being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
| LOW | $8.3 150 MDL |
| AVERAGE | $54 970 MDL |
| HIGH | $360 6,400 MDL |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 150 MDL to 6,400 MDL with 970 MDL being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $32 560 MDL |
| AVERAGE | $210 3,700 MDL |
| HIGH | $1,400 24,000 MDL |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 19% of the monthly expenditure of students with 12% and 24% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 3,700 MDL per month with 560 MDL being the minimum spent amount and 24,000 MDL being the maximum.
Other Expenses17%
17% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $25 440 MDL |
| AVERAGE | $160 2,900 MDL |
| HIGH | $1,100 19,000 MDL |
| Per Month |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Moldova
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Moldova?
Around 64% of surveyed students think that living in Moldova is affordable with proper budgeting while 36% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Moldova
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options57%
Few low-cost options43%
Based on the survey, 57% of the students living in Moldova have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 43% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students of Moldova whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes60%
No40%
Based on the survey, 40% of the students living in Moldova said that they don't have an emergency fund while 60% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Moldova
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy59%
We asked student guardians and parents in Moldova whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 41% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 59% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of Moldova have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 44% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 56% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance44%
Easily manages finances56%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Moldova
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Moldova
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 3,300 MDL | 5,000 MDL | 13,000 MDL |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 5,000 MDL | 8,000 MDL | 20,000 MDL |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 6,700 MDL | 10,000 MDL | 27,000 MDL |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 8,000 MDL | 13,000 MDL | 36,000 MDL |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 16,000 MDL | 40,000 MDL | 80,000 MDL |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 13,000 MDL | 20,000 MDL | 57,000 MDL |
House monthly rent cost
| 16,000 MDL | 40,000 MDL | 80,000 MDL |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 20,000 MDL | 50,000 MDL | 80,000 MDL |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Moldova ranges between 3,300 MDL and 13,000 MDL, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 5,000 MDL to 20,000 MDL. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 6,700 MDL and 27,000 MDL per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 8,000 MDL to 36,000 MDL. The average rent of a townhouse in Moldova is around 20,000 MDL while house rental costs can be as high as 40,000 MDL per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 20,000 MDL to 80,000 MDL per month.
Apartment and house prices in Moldova
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 670,000 MDL | 1M MDL | 2M MDL |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 800,000 MDL | 1.3M MDL | 5M MDL |
2-bedroom apartment price
| $75,000 | $230,000 | $450,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 4.5M MDL | 6.7M MDL | 20M MDL |
Townhouse price
House price
Villa price
The average price of a studio apartment in Moldova can range from 670,000 MDL to 2M MDL depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 800,000 MDL to 5M MDL. A villa can cost you 45M MDL on average with prices ranging from 8M MDL to 67M MDL.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Moldova will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 41 | x121 monthly income | 212 |
Property prices in Moldova can be x121 to x212 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x121 multiples of the average monthly salary in Moldova.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Moldova is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 22% to 42% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
30% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Moldova
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Moldova
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 120 MDL | 770 MDL | 5,200 MDL |
Internet and cable cost
Mobile phone bill and charges
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 770 MDL. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 200 MDL to 540 MDL with 400 MDL being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 270 MDL but can range between 160 MDL and 800 MDL depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Moldova is around 5%. This means that people pay 5% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2% to 9% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Moldova
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Moldova
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Moldova is approximatly 80 MDL with meal cost ranging from 40 MDL to 130 MDL. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 130 MDL and 400 MDL with 200 MDL being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Moldova.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 270 MDL | 400 MDL | 1,600 MDL |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 270 MDL to 1,600 MDL with the average cost being 400 MDL for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Moldova.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Moldova is around 54 MDL. Price ranges between 33 MDL and 80 MDL depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Moldova is 32 MDL. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 40 MDL and the minimum being 27 MDL depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 27 MDL on average with 20 MDL and 40 MDL being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Moldova is between 46 MDL and 84 MDL depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 59 MDL.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 80 MDL. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Moldova costs around 30 MDL on average with prices rangeing between 22 MDL and 42 MDL depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 8 MDL to 20 MDL. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 19 MDL on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Moldova is around 25%. This means that students spend 25% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 17% to 31% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 590 MDL to 26,000 MDL with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
