🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $983 in Campina versus $1,451 in Cartagena.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,547 in Campina versus $2,148 in Cartagena.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,112 in Campina versus $2,844 in Cartagena.
🌍Living in Campina costs roughly 32% less than in Cartagena, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Campina is 28% below, Cartagena is 6% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.14RON 51.1
$15.12€13.18
-26.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.53RON 204
$58.5€51.0
-23.91%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.55RON 34.66
$8.21€7.16
-8.04%
Cappuccino
$3.10RON 14.21
$2.67€2.33
16.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15RON 9.87
$2.64€2.30
-18.56%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.90RON 8.72
$1.86€1.62
2.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.73RON 12.53
$3.44€3.00
-20.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53RON 16.19
$4.00€3.48
-11.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.67RON 7.65
$1.24€1.08
34.68%
White Bread(500g)
$1.21RON 5.57
$1.22€1.06
-0.82%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.50RON 6.90
$2.63€2.29
-42.97%
Eggs
$3.70RON 16.99
$4.02€3.51
-7.96%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.43RON 38.70
$13.36€11.65
-36.90%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.72RON 30.84
$7.03€6.13
-4.41%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.10RON 37.15
$19.36€16.88
-58.16%
Apples(1kg)
$1.37RON 6.28
$2.46€2.14
-44.31%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64RON 7.51
$2.06€1.80
-20.39%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.51RON 6.94
$1.64€1.43
-7.93%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.72RON 12.48
$3.18€2.77
-14.47%
Potato(1kg)
$0.77RON 3.55
$1.31€1.14
-41.22%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65RON 2.98
$1.34€1.17
-51.49%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.04RON 4.79
$1.66€1.44
-37.35%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.93RON 4.28
$0.65€0.57
43.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.45RON 29.60
$5.70€4.97
13.16%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.08RON 32.48
$6.16€5.37
14.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.03RON 4.72
$1.30€1.13
-20.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42RON 6.53
$1.17€1.02
21.37%
🚌 Getting Around
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90RON 4.15
$1.51€1.32
-40.40%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.29RON 102
$11.68€10.18
90.84%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.79RON 3.64
$5.85€5.10
-86.50%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.84RON 3.87
$2.25€1.96
-62.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.63RON 30.40
$29.21€25.46
-77.30%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.87RON 8.59
$1.68€1.47
11.31%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9KRON 137.2K
$35.8K€31.2K
-16.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7KRON 122.5K
$30.6K€26.7K
-12.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$120RON 550
$216€188
-44.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.23RON 33.17
$20.01€17.44
-63.87%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.97RON 54.9
$29.72€25.90
-59.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$56.3RON 258
$42.17€36.76
33.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.86RON 82.0
$12.88€11.23
38.66%
Cinema Ticket
$7.09RON 32.55
$8.27€7.21
-14.27%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$413RON 1,893
$425€371
-2.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,046RON 27.7K
$2,791€2,433
116.66%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$79.0RON 363
$47.37€41.29
66.86%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.87RON 206
$36.32€31.66
23.54%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.8RON 435
$62.7€54.7
51.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$99.3RON 456
$108€93.8
-7.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$247RON 1,132
$614€535
-59.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$188RON 864
$510€445
-63.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$358RON 1,643
$891€776
-59.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$309RON 1,418
$746€650
-58.54%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,912RON 8,774
$1,792€1,562
6.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,391RON 6,383
$1,463€1,276
-4.92%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$750RON 3,442
$1,741€1,518
-56.91%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.02
4.06
72.91%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Campina: September 12, 2026
Last update for Cartagena: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $247 in Campina and $614 in Cartagena. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cartagena pays 132% 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: $45.00 in Campina vs $59.0 in Cartagena for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $210 vs $274 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 48% 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 in Cartagena?
On paper, salaries run 132% lower in Cartagena. 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 compared to Cartagena?
Rent for a central apartment: $247 in Campina versus $614 in Cartagena. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Campina and in Cartagena?
Dining out is cheaper in Campina – a meal for two runs $45.00 versus $59.0 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 $983 per month in Campina versus $1,451 in Cartagena – a 48% 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 in Cartagena?
At $983 in Campina versus $1,451 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 48% less than in Cartagena. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.