🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,222 in Braila versus $1,488 in Cluj-Napoca.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,827 in Braila versus $2,213 in Cluj-Napoca.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,431 in Braila versus $2,938 in Cluj-Napoca.
🌍Living in Braila costs roughly 18% less than in Cluj-Napoca, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Braila is 11% below, Cluj-Napoca is 8% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Braila
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.83RON 89.8
$13.48RON 61.0
47.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$42.10RON 191
$57.1RON 259
-26.31%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.44RON 42.76
$10.07RON 45.59
-6.26%
Cappuccino
$2.76RON 12.51
$3.92RON 17.74
-29.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09RON 9.46
$2.47RON 11.21
-15.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88RON 8.52
$2.47RON 11.17
-23.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74RON 7.90
$3.36RON 15.23
-48.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25RON 10.20
$4.46RON 20.21
-49.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Braila
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.89RON 8.57
$1.74RON 7.87
8.62%
White Bread(500g)
$1.51RON 6.83
$1.59RON 7.21
-5.03%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.57RON 7.13
$1.86RON 8.41
-15.59%
Eggs
$3.48RON 15.78
$3.90RON 17.67
-10.77%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.18RON 41.58
$9.69RON 43.87
-5.26%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.83RON 35.47
$7.78RON 35.26
0.64%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.69RON 43.86
$12.11RON 54.8
-19.98%
Apples(1kg)
$1.04RON 4.72
$1.49RON 6.73
-30.20%
Banana(1kg)
$1.55RON 7.03
$1.79RON 8.11
-13.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.40RON 6.33
$1.96RON 8.90
-28.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.21RON 5.47
$2.57RON 11.65
-52.92%
Potato(1kg)
$0.88RON 3.98
$1.00RON 4.53
-12.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.77RON 3.48
$1.05RON 4.75
-26.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.76RON 3.46
$1.03RON 4.69
-26.21%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83RON 3.75
$1.03RON 4.68
-19.42%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.67RON 30.20
$6.76RON 30.60
-1.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.54RON 29.61
$7.54RON 34.16
-13.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.07RON 4.85
$1.29RON 5.83
-17.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60RON 7.25
$1.86RON 8.42
-13.98%
🚌 Getting Around
Braila
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.67RON 3.05
$0.79RON 3.60
-15.19%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$16.43RON 74.4
$32.36RON 147
-49.23%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.08RON 4.91
$0.92RON 4.15
17.39%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.78RON 3.53
$0.98RON 4.42
-20.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.39RON 33.48
$9.12RON 41.30
-18.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.59RON 7.22
$1.91RON 8.63
-16.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.1KRON 127.3K
$29.3KRON 132.8K
-4.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.0KRON 140.6K
$26.1KRON 118.4K
18.77%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Braila
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$147RON 665
$165RON 745
-10.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.07RON 41.06
$8.94RON 40.48
1.45%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.37RON 60.5
$10.16RON 46.02
31.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Braila
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.83RON 158
$49.99RON 226
-30.33%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.61RON 70.7
$23.35RON 106
-33.15%
Cinema Ticket
$7.83RON 35.46
$9.93RON 44.99
-21.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Braila
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$390RON 1,767
$624RON 2,827
-37.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,029RON 40.9K
$10.0KRON 45.3K
-9.81%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Braila
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$106RON 479
$93.8RON 425
12.82%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$62.9RON 285
$49.38RON 224
27.36%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$98.4RON 446
$103RON 468
-4.74%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$128RON 581
$117RON 530
9.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Braila
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$407RON 1,843
$677RON 3,065
-39.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$321RON 1,453
$557RON 2,524
-42.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$566RON 2,564
$1,195RON 5,413
-52.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$462RON 2,093
$844RON 3,824
-45.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,017RON 9,133
$4,864RON 22.0K
-58.54%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,374RON 6,223
$3,549RON 16.1K
-61.28%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Braila
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$873RON 3,954
$1,340RON 6,070
-34.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.3
6.8
22.06%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Braila: September 7, 2026
Last update for Cluj-Napoca: September 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $407 in Braila and $677 in Cluj-Napoca. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cluj-Napoca pays 54% 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: $42.00 in Braila vs $57.0 in Cluj-Napoca for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $215 vs $246 per month, with Braila cheaper across the board.
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
Braila vs Cluj-Napoca: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Braila or Cluj-Napoca?
Braila wins on cost – living expenses run 22% lower than in Cluj-Napoca. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Braila the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Braila or in Cluj-Napoca?
On paper, salaries run 54% lower in Cluj-Napoca. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Braila compared to Cluj-Napoca?
Rent for a central apartment: $407 in Braila versus $677 in Cluj-Napoca. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Braila compared to Cluj-Napoca?
A monthly transit pass in Braila runs roughly 97% less than in Cluj-Napoca. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Braila and in Cluj-Napoca?
Childcare runs $390 in Braila versus $624 in Cluj-Napoca. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Braila or in Cluj-Napoca?
At $1,222 in Braila versus $1,488 in Cluj-Napoca, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Braila but tight or insufficient in Cluj-Napoca. The gap between the two cities makes Braila the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Braila or Cluj-Napoca?
Both work as nomad bases, but Braila delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,222 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Braila hard to pass up.
How safe is Braila compared to Cluj-Napoca?
Safety-wise, Braila and Cluj-Napoca 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Braila gentler on the wallet – expenses run 22% less than in Cluj-Napoca. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.