🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,082 in Campina versus $1,402 in Cartagena.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,604 in Campina versus $2,010 in Cartagena.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,125 in Campina versus $2,619 in Cartagena.
🌍Living in Campina costs roughly 23% less than in Cartagena, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Campina is 19% below, Cartagena is 5% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.83RON 44.69
$14.13€12.23
-30.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$42.28RON 192
$58.6€50.7
-27.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.85RON 31.15
$8.08€7.00
-15.22%
Cappuccino
$2.66RON 12.10
$2.55€2.21
4.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97RON 8.98
$2.39€2.07
-17.57%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80RON 8.19
$2.05€1.78
-12.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.32RON 10.57
$3.57€3.09
-35.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.39RON 15.41
$3.43€2.97
-1.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.52RON 6.92
$1.13€0.98
34.51%
White Bread(500g)
$1.12RON 5.09
$1.00€0.87
12.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.52RON 6.91
$1.66€1.44
-8.43%
Eggs
$3.29RON 14.98
$2.79€2.41
17.92%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.53RON 38.77
$11.23€9.72
-24.04%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.89RON 31.33
$8.32€7.20
-17.19%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.59RON 39.05
$14.14€12.25
-39.25%
Apples(1kg)
$1.21RON 5.49
$2.37€2.05
-48.95%
Banana(1kg)
$1.40RON 6.37
$1.86€1.61
-24.73%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.28RON 5.83
$1.38€1.20
-7.25%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.21RON 10.03
$1.75€1.52
26.29%
Potato(1kg)
$0.78RON 3.53
$1.30€1.13
-40.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.92RON 4.19
$1.10€0.96
-16.36%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.06RON 4.82
$1.10€0.95
-3.64%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91RON 4.15
$0.52€0.45
75.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.78RON 26.29
$5.70€4.93
1.40%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.13RON 32.43
$6.17€5.34
15.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.90RON 4.08
$1.11€0.96
-18.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36RON 6.19
$1.29€1.12
5.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.96RON 4.34
$1.36€1.18
-29.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.11RON 91.4
$11.62€10.07
73.06%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.83RON 3.77
$3.56€3.09
-76.69%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.79RON 3.61
$1.20€1.04
-34.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.66RON 25.71
$24.63€21.33
-77.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.59RON 7.22
$1.79€1.55
-11.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.8KRON 112.7K
$31.2K€27.0K
-20.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7KRON 121.2K
$31.7K€27.4K
-15.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$141RON 642
$144€124
-1.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.68RON 39.47
$13.48€11.68
-35.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.14RON 50.7
$30.43€26.35
-63.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$63.0RON 286
$38.68€33.50
62.77%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.83RON 85.6
$14.93€12.93
26.12%
Cinema Ticket
$6.93RON 31.53
$8.15€7.06
-14.97%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$424RON 1,929
$426€369
-0.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,832RON 31.1K
$2,829€2,450
141.52%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$83.6RON 380
$45.46€39.37
83.94%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.97RON 195
$31.91€27.63
34.66%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.9RON 377
$45.71€39.58
81.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$99.1RON 450
$76.1€65.9
30.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$393RON 1,787
$758€657
-48.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$294RON 1,338
$626€542
-52.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$589RON 2,676
$914€791
-35.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$432RON 1,966
$759€658
-43.05%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,920RON 8,728
$1,792€1,552
7.10%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,406RON 6,394
$1,467€1,271
-4.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Campina
Cartagena
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$709RON 3,222
$1,752€1,517
-59.55%
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: July 27, 2026
Last update for Cartagena: July 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $393 in Campina and $758 in Cartagena. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cartagena pays 147% 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 Campina vs $59.0 in Cartagena for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $203 vs $231 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 30% 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 147% 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: $393 in Campina versus $758 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 $42.00 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 $1,082 per month in Campina versus $1,402 in Cartagena – a 30% 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 $1,082 in Campina versus $1,402 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 30% less than in Cartagena. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.