🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,081 in Campina versus $1,441 in Cartagena.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,634 in Campina versus $2,011 in Cartagena.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Campina versus $2,581 in Cartagena.
🙂Living in Campina costs roughly 25% less than in Cartagena, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Campina is 19% below, Cartagena is 8% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.91RON 44.64
$14.12€12.16
-29.82%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$42.80RON 193
$57.4€49.46
-25.47%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.01RON 31.56
$8.06€6.94
-13.03%
Cappuccino
$2.58RON 11.61
$2.67€2.30
-3.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01RON 9.04
$2.39€2.06
-15.90%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72RON 7.74
$1.97€1.70
-12.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.32RON 10.44
$3.38€2.91
-31.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.51RON 15.79
$3.39€2.92
3.54%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.52RON 6.85
$1.14€0.98
33.33%
White Bread(500g)
$1.16RON 5.23
$0.99€0.86
17.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.58RON 7.09
$1.68€1.44
-5.95%
Eggs
$3.28RON 14.79
$2.92€2.51
12.33%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.98RON 40.44
$11.24€9.68
-20.11%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.85RON 30.84
$8.43€7.26
-18.74%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.60RON 38.72
$14.28€12.30
-39.78%
Apples(1kg)
$1.17RON 5.25
$2.32€2.00
-49.57%
Banana(1kg)
$1.40RON 6.30
$1.78€1.53
-21.35%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.34RON 6.03
$1.39€1.20
-3.60%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.22RON 10.00
$1.76€1.52
26.14%
Potato(1kg)
$0.82RON 3.69
$1.29€1.11
-36.43%
Onion(1kg)
$0.94RON 4.22
$1.10€0.94
-14.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.06RON 4.77
$1.05€0.90
0.95%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91RON 4.12
$0.56€0.48
62.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.85RON 26.34
$5.92€5.10
-1.18%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.30RON 32.86
$6.49€5.59
12.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.93RON 4.19
$1.10€0.95
-15.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.44RON 6.46
$1.26€1.08
14.29%
🚌 Getting Around
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90RON 4.04
$1.37€1.18
-34.31%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.68RON 88.6
$11.49€9.89
71.28%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.85RON 3.82
$3.44€2.97
-75.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.80RON 3.60
$1.20€1.03
-33.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.90RON 26.55
$24.41€21.02
-75.83%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.59RON 7.15
$1.82€1.57
-12.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0KRON 112.4K
$31.3K€26.9K
-20.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1KRON 117.5K
$31.8K€27.3K
-17.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$140RON 629
$146€126
-4.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.59RON 38.70
$13.26€11.42
-35.22%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.40RON 51.4
$29.90€25.75
-61.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$62.8RON 283
$39.51€34.02
58.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.30RON 86.9
$14.85€12.79
29.97%
Cinema Ticket
$7.05RON 31.75
$8.08€6.96
-12.75%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$426RON 1,918
$419€361
1.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,055RON 31.8K
$2,792€2,404
152.65%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.3RON 371
$44.88€38.64
83.36%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.26RON 190
$31.26€26.92
35.19%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.2RON 370
$44.35€38.19
85.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$96.2RON 433
$76.3€65.7
26.03%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$383RON 1,723
$786€677
-51.36%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$293RON 1,318
$627€540
-53.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$584RON 2,631
$920€792
-36.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$430RON 1,936
$776€668
-44.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,899RON 8,551
$1,780€1,532
6.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,382RON 6,224
$1,469€1,265
-5.93%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$735RON 3,308
$1,934€1,665
-62.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.5
3.44
88.95%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Campina: June 14, 2026
Last update for Cartagena: June 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $383 in Campina and $786 in Cartagena. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cartagena pays 163% 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: $43.00 in Campina vs $57.0 in Cartagena for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $206 vs $233 per month, with Campina 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
Campina vs Cartagena: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Campina or Cartagena?
Campina wins on cost – living expenses run 33% lower than in Cartagena. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Campina the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Campina or Cartagena?
On paper, Cartagena earns 163% less. 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 Campina vs Cartagena?
Rent for a central apartment: $383 in Campina versus $786 in Cartagena. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Campina vs Cartagena?
Dining out is cheaper in Campina – a meal for two runs $43.00 versus $57.0 in Cartagena. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Campina compared to Cartagena?
All in, you'll spend $1,081 per month in Campina versus $1,441 in Cartagena – a 33% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Campina or Cartagena?
At $1,081 in Campina versus $1,441 in Cartagena, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Campina but tight or insufficient in Cartagena. The gap between the two cities makes Campina the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Campina or Cartagena?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Campina compared to Cartagena?
Safety-wise, Campina and Cartagena 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 Campina gentler on the wallet – expenses run 33% less than in Cartagena. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.