😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $962 in Alba Iulia versus $862 in Brasilia.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,464 in Alba Iulia versus $1,428 in Brasilia.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,967 in Alba Iulia versus $1,993 in Brasilia.
😐Living in Alba Iulia is roughly 12% more expensive than Brasilia, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Alba Iulia28% lower, Brasilia36% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Alba Iulia
Brasilia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.07RON 41.02
$7.02R$35.12
29.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.38RON 155
$38.86R$194
-11.53%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.27RON 28.34
$6.32R$31.64
-0.79%
Cappuccino
$2.41RON 10.89
$1.96R$9.80
22.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.90RON 8.57
$1.18R$5.89
61.02%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.64RON 7.42
$0.86R$4.30
90.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.25RON 10.18
$1.85R$9.28
21.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31RON 10.45
$3.18R$15.89
-27.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Alba Iulia
Brasilia
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.37RON 6.17
$0.99R$4.98
38.38%
White Bread(500g)
$1.24RON 5.61
$1.60R$7.99
-22.50%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.63RON 7.38
$1.41R$7.06
15.60%
Eggs
$3.04RON 13.74
$2.04R$10.19
49.02%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.64RON 39.05
$9.45R$47.31
-8.57%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.62RON 29.91
$3.40R$17.01
94.71%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.88RON 53.7
$7.04R$35.21
68.75%
Apples(1kg)
$0.98RON 4.42
$1.96R$9.82
-50.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.42RON 6.44
$1.40R$7.02
1.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.36RON 6.16
$1.20R$6.02
13.33%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.39RON 10.81
$1.66R$8.29
43.98%
Potato(1kg)
$0.78RON 3.54
$1.24R$6.20
-37.10%
Onion(1kg)
$0.61RON 2.75
$1.31R$6.53
-53.44%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.87RON 3.95
$0.81R$4.03
7.41%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66RON 2.99
$0.63R$3.15
4.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.83RON 26.37
$2.13R$10.66
173.71%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.32RON 19.51
$9.02R$45.16
-52.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14RON 5.16
$1.10R$5.53
3.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.34RON 6.08
$2.39R$11.95
-43.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Alba Iulia
Brasilia
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.83RON 3.76
$1.03R$5.15
-19.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$17.22RON 77.8
$44.41R$222
-61.22%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.71RON 3.19
$0.94R$4.72
-24.47%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.77RON 3.46
$0.81R$4.03
-4.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.21RON 23.54
$5.57R$27.88
-6.46%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.52RON 6.88
$1.12R$5.61
35.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.0KRON 126.7K
$25.0KR$125.2K
12.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3KRON 123.4K
$29.1KR$145.7K
-6.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Alba Iulia
Brasilia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$137RON 619
$72.2R$361
89.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.11RON 36.66
$13.08R$65.5
-38.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.06RON 40.94
$20.40R$102
-55.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Alba Iulia
Brasilia
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$31.74RON 144
$24.97R$125
27.11%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.20RON 155
$21.29R$107
60.64%
Cinema Ticket
$5.42RON 24.50
$7.08R$35.42
-23.45%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Alba Iulia
Brasilia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$454RON 2,050
$488R$2,444
-7.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,512RON 29.4K
$15.0KR$75.0K
-56.56%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Alba Iulia
Brasilia
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.24RON 191
$58.3R$292
-27.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.28RON 119
$41.97R$210
-37.38%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$81.6RON 369
$69.8R$349
16.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.1RON 317
$65.2R$327
7.37%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Alba Iulia
Brasilia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$323RON 1,460
$408R$2,040
-20.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$273RON 1,233
$260R$1,302
4.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$550RON 2,485
$949R$4,747
-42.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$451RON 2,039
$562R$2,811
-19.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,683RON 7,606
$2,540R$12.7K
-33.76%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,471RON 6,650
$1,714R$8,576
-14.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Alba Iulia
Brasilia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$958RON 4,331
$846R$4,235
13.22%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.7
11.87
-35.13%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Alba Iulia: May 31, 2026
Last update for Brasilia: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $323 in Alba Iulia and $408 in Brasilia. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Alba Iulia pays 13% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $34.00 in Alba Iulia vs $39.00 in Brasilia. Groceries flip the comparison at $202 vs $183, with Brasilia cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Alba Iulia vs Brasilia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brasilia cheaper than Alba Iulia?
Brasilia is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment. The 12% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Alba Iulia or Brasilia?
Alba Iulia pays 13% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Alba Iulia and Brasilia?
Rent for a central apartment: $323 in Alba Iulia versus $408 in Brasilia. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Alba Iulia vs Brasilia?
All in, you'll spend $962 per month in Alba Iulia versus $862 in Brasilia – a 12% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Brasilia runs roughly 158% less than in Alba Iulia. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,200 enough for either Alba Iulia or Brasilia?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Brasilia gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Alba Iulia or Brasilia more family-friendly?
For families, Brasilia is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Alba Iulia, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Alba Iulia or Brasilia?
Safety-wise, Alba Iulia and Brasilia are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Brasilia gentler on the wallet – expenses run 12% less than in Alba Iulia. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Alba Iulia vs other spots: cost of living compared