πA single person spends $1,025 per month in Barlad vs $1,150 in Timisoara, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,587 per month in Barlad vs $1,792 in Timisoara, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,150 per month in Barlad vs $2,435 in Timisoara, rent included.
πBarlad is about 11% cheaper than Timisoara, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Barlad and Timisoara are more affordable than the global median β Barlad24% lower, Timisoara14% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Barlad
Timisoara
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.37RONΒ 42.67
$9.04RONΒ 41.15
3.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.93RONΒ 214
$58.5RONΒ 266
-19.76%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.83RONΒ 35.66
$7.98RONΒ 36.35
-1.88%
Cappuccino
$2.70RONΒ 12.30
$3.13RONΒ 14.26
-13.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99RONΒ 9.04
$2.18RONΒ 9.91
-8.72%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74RONΒ 7.94
$1.98RONΒ 9.03
-12.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.35RONΒ 10.72
$2.72RONΒ 12.40
-13.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71RONΒ 12.32
$3.50RONΒ 15.94
-22.57%
π Groceries & Markets
Barlad
Timisoara
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.48RONΒ 6.74
$1.53RONΒ 6.98
-3.27%
White Bread(500g)
$1.19RONΒ 5.41
$1.28RONΒ 5.82
-7.03%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.73RONΒ 7.89
$1.49RONΒ 6.79
16.11%
Eggs
$3.35RONΒ 15.26
$3.24RONΒ 14.73
3.40%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.39RONΒ 38.19
$9.76RONΒ 44.44
-14.04%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.87RONΒ 31.27
$6.41RONΒ 29.19
7.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.50RONΒ 47.82
$11.37RONΒ 51.8
-7.65%
Apples(1kg)
$1.13RONΒ 5.15
$1.09RONΒ 4.96
3.67%
Banana(1kg)
$1.60RONΒ 7.27
$1.52RONΒ 6.92
5.26%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.61RONΒ 7.32
$1.55RONΒ 7.08
3.87%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.93RONΒ 8.77
$2.58RONΒ 11.77
-25.19%
Potato(1kg)
$0.84RONΒ 3.84
$0.78RONΒ 3.56
7.69%
Onion(1kg)
$0.92RONΒ 4.19
$0.98RONΒ 4.44
-6.12%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90RONΒ 4.08
$0.67RONΒ 3.03
34.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.82RONΒ 3.72
$0.74RONΒ 3.35
10.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.84RONΒ 26.60
$5.85RONΒ 26.64
-0.17%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.91RONΒ 26.89
$7.95RONΒ 36.17
-25.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.03RONΒ 4.69
$1.20RONΒ 5.48
-14.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69RONΒ 7.70
$1.72RONΒ 7.81
-1.74%
π Getting Around
Barlad
Timisoara
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.71RONΒ 3.24
$0.95RONΒ 4.32
-25.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.73RONΒ 89.8
$30.04RONΒ 137
-34.32%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.76RONΒ 3.48
$0.90RONΒ 4.09
-15.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.74RONΒ 3.35
$0.83RONΒ 3.78
-10.84%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.09RONΒ 32.26
$7.18RONΒ 32.71
-1.25%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.54RONΒ 7.00
$1.57RONΒ 7.16
-1.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.3KRONΒ 128.8K
$27.5KRONΒ 125.1K
2.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9KRONΒ 122.5K
$26.7KRONΒ 121.4K
0.96%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barlad
Timisoara
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$147RONΒ 668
$139RONΒ 631
5.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.88RONΒ 35.86
$8.33RONΒ 37.94
-5.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.12RONΒ 41.52
$9.19RONΒ 41.82
-0.76%
π Sport & Entertainment
Barlad
Timisoara
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.89RONΒ 191
$43.01RONΒ 196
-2.60%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.99RONΒ 86.5
$15.00RONΒ 68.3
26.60%
Cinema Ticket
$7.07RONΒ 32.20
$7.99RONΒ 36.38
-11.51%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Barlad
Timisoara
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$433RONΒ 1,971
$491RONΒ 2,233
-11.74%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,944RONΒ 31.6K
$10.3KRONΒ 46.9K
-32.53%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Barlad
Timisoara
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.0RONΒ 309
$78.7RONΒ 358
-13.65%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.52RONΒ 175
$43.23RONΒ 197
-10.90%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$75.3RONΒ 343
$82.7RONΒ 377
-8.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$91.2RONΒ 415
$94.9RONΒ 432
-3.89%
π Accommodation & Living
Barlad
Timisoara
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$396RONΒ 1,802
$495RONΒ 2,254
-20.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$292RONΒ 1,327
$358RONΒ 1,631
-18.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$585RONΒ 2,665
$740RONΒ 3,368
-20.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$443RONΒ 2,018
$607RONΒ 2,762
-26.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,967RONΒ 8,954
$2,652RONΒ 12.1K
-25.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223RONΒ 5,566
$1,964RONΒ 8,943
-37.76%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Barlad
Timisoara
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$1,217RONΒ 5,541
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.56
6.66
-1.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barlad: May 31, 2026
Last update for Timisoara: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $396 in Barlad versus $495 in Timisoara. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $47.00 in Barlad versus $58.0 in Timisoara. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $207 vs $217 β making Barlad the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Barlad vs Timisoara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Barlad and Timisoara compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,025 in Barlad, $1,150 in Timisoara β roughly 12% apart. Timisoara costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Barlad compared to Timisoara?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,537 per month in Barlad and $1,725 in Timisoara. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Barlad and Timisoara?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Barlad, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Barlad and Timisoara?
Public transport costs about 52% less in Barlad. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Barlad and Timisoara?
Kindergarten costs $433 per month in Barlad and $491 in Timisoara. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Barlad, where all-in costs run around $1,025, than in Timisoara at $1,150. In Barlad it covers expenses comfortably, while in Timisoara it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Barlad and Timisoara?
It depends on your priorities. Timisoara has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,025 in Barlad to $1,150 in Timisoara. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Barlad or Timisoara safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Barlad and Timisoara?
If budget matters most, go with Barlad. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Timisoara makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.