Compare countries · Bulgaria vs Romania
Bulgaria vs Romania
Bulgaria(Europe)·
Romania(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Bulgaria leads on 4, Romania on 7, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh — the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Bulgaria
41.6
Around the global middle
Romania
40.6
Around the global middle
Romania: 2% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Bulgaria
11.1
Better than 68% of countries
Romania
12.0
Better than 64% of countries
Bulgaria: 8% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Bulgaria
1.56
Better than 85% of countries
Romania
1.66
Better than 80% of countries
Bulgaria: more peaceful (1.56 vs 1.66).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Bulgaria
64.5
Better than 70% of countries
Romania
67.2
Better than 76% of countries
Romania: higher perceived safety (67.2 vs 64.5).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Bulgaria
0.799
Better than 64% of countries
Romania
0.827
Better than 73% of countries
Romania: higher human development (0.827 vs 0.799).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Bulgaria
$44,451
Better than 72% of countries
Romania
$50,895
Better than 76% of countries
Romania: 14% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Bulgaria
75.8 yrs
Better than 57% of countries
Romania
76.5 yrs
Better than 61% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Bulgaria
58.3
Worse than 67% of countries
Romania
56.5
Worse than 76% of countries
Bulgaria: better-rated healthcare (58.3 vs 56.5).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Bulgaria
94 Mbps
Around the global middle
Romania
273 Mbps
Better than 91% of countries
Romania: 191% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Bulgaria
60/100
Better than 60% of countries
Romania
68/100
Better than 72% of countries
Romania: freer press (68 vs 60 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Bulgaria
5.70
Worse than 58% of countries
Romania
6.63
Better than 77% of countries
Romania: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.63 vs 5.70).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Bulgaria
594
Better than 80% of countries
Romania
605
Better than 85% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Bulgaria
81.2
Around the global middle
Romania
76.3
Worse than 59% of countries
Bulgaria: more pleasant climate rating (81.2 vs 76.3).
Deciding between Bulgaria and Romania for real?
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Romania profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.