😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,501 in Cluj-Napoca versus $1,086 in Galati.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,224 in Cluj-Napoca versus $1,696 in Galati.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,946 in Cluj-Napoca versus $2,307 in Galati.
🌍Living in Cluj-Napoca is roughly 38% more expensive than in Galati, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Cluj-Napoca is 10% above, Galati is 21% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cluj-Napoca
Galati
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.94RON 59.4
$10.77RON 49.43
20.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$56.1RON 258
$43.88RON 201
27.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.60RON 44.05
$7.51RON 34.45
27.83%
Cappuccino
$3.89RON 17.84
$2.65RON 12.17
46.79%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51RON 11.54
$2.17RON 9.97
15.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47RON 11.32
$1.98RON 9.09
24.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.31RON 15.21
$2.25RON 10.33
47.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.50RON 20.65
$3.22RON 14.78
39.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cluj-Napoca
Galati
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.69RON 7.73
$1.30RON 5.95
30.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.53RON 7.01
$0.69RON 3.15
121.74%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91RON 8.76
$1.78RON 8.18
7.30%
Eggs
$3.87RON 17.77
$3.50RON 16.06
10.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.87RON 45.26
$7.89RON 36.19
25.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.54RON 34.62
$6.14RON 28.15
22.80%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.94RON 54.8
$8.73RON 40.05
36.77%
Apples(1kg)
$1.51RON 6.95
$1.36RON 6.22
11.03%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77RON 8.14
$1.60RON 7.36
10.62%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93RON 8.85
$1.59RON 7.31
21.38%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.64RON 12.13
$1.85RON 8.47
42.70%
Potato(1kg)
$0.94RON 4.29
$0.96RON 4.39
-2.08%
Onion(1kg)
$1.00RON 4.57
$1.09RON 5.02
-8.26%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.00RON 4.60
$0.86RON 3.94
16.28%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.01RON 4.65
$0.71RON 3.25
42.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.50RON 29.83
$6.05RON 27.76
7.44%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.62RON 34.94
$5.62RON 25.78
35.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33RON 6.11
$1.02RON 4.69
30.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.78RON 8.15
$1.29RON 5.93
37.98%
🚌 Getting Around
Cluj-Napoca
Galati
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.80RON 3.67
$0.74RON 3.39
8.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.77RON 146
$25.56RON 117
24.30%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.96RON 4.41
$0.64RON 2.95
50.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.01RON 4.66
$0.73RON 3.33
38.36%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.80RON 40.39
$7.08RON 32.49
24.29%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.91RON 8.75
$1.71RON 7.84
11.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.0KRON 137.5K
$29.5KRON 135.4K
1.58%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3KRON 120.7K
$26.3KRON 120.5K
0.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cluj-Napoca
Galati
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$164RON 755
$155RON 712
5.99%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.04RON 41.50
$7.90RON 36.25
14.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.32RON 47.36
$8.38RON 38.46
23.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cluj-Napoca
Galati
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.47RON 222
$39.40RON 181
23.02%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.56RON 108
$36.34RON 167
-35.17%
Cinema Ticket
$9.86RON 45.22
$6.48RON 29.71
52.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cluj-Napoca
Galati
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$618RON 2,838
$612RON 2,809
1.00%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.3KRON 47.1K
$5,233RON 24.0K
96.29%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cluj-Napoca
Galati
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$93.0RON 427
$99.4RON 456
-6.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.70RON 219
$33.22RON 152
43.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103RON 473
$64.8RON 297
59.24%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112RON 516
$87.6RON 402
28.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cluj-Napoca
Galati
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$647RON 2,967
$402RON 1,846
60.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$542RON 2,486
$328RON 1,503
65.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,180RON 5,416
$803RON 3,686
46.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$847RON 3,888
$584RON 2,681
45.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,823RON 22.1K
$1,671RON 7,666
188.68%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,511RON 16.1K
$1,280RON 5,872
174.37%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cluj-Napoca
Galati
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,333RON 6,118
$952RON 4,370
40.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.8
7.2
-5.56%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Cluj-Napoca: September 14, 2026
Last update for Galati: September 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $647 in Cluj-Napoca and $402 in Galati. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cluj-Napoca pays 40% 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: $56.0 in Cluj-Napoca vs $44.00 in Galati for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $244 vs $189 per month, with Galati 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
Cluj-Napoca vs Galati: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Galati cheaper than Cluj-Napoca?
Galati is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 38% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Cluj-Napoca or Galati?
Average pay runs 40% higher in Cluj-Napoca, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Cluj-Napoca and Galati?
Rent for a central apartment: $647 in Cluj-Napoca versus $402 in Galati. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Galati runs roughly 24% less than in Cluj-Napoca. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $618 in Cluj-Napoca versus $612 in Galati. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Cluj-Napoca or in Galati?
At $1,086 in Galati versus $1,501 in Cluj-Napoca, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Galati but tight or insufficient in Cluj-Napoca. The gap between the two cities makes Galati the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Cluj-Napoca or Galati more family-friendly?
For families, Galati is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Cluj-Napoca, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Cluj-Napoca or Galati?
Safety-wise, Cluj-Napoca and Galati 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Galati gentler on the wallet – expenses run 38% less than in Cluj-Napoca. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Cluj-Napoca vs other spots: cost of living compared