😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,410 in Cluj-Napoca versus $1,009 in Targoviste.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,148 in Cluj-Napoca versus $1,467 in Targoviste.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,886 in Cluj-Napoca versus $1,925 in Targoviste.
🌍Living in Cluj-Napoca is roughly 40% more expensive than in Targoviste, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Cluj-Napoca is 6% above, Targoviste is 24% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cluj-Napoca
Targoviste
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.41RON 52.4
$9.29RON 42.62
22.82%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$57.8RON 265
$27.11RON 124
113.13%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.14RON 37.36
$6.75RON 30.99
20.59%
Cappuccino
$3.39RON 15.54
$2.34RON 10.75
44.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.35RON 10.78
$1.54RON 7.08
52.60%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11RON 9.67
$1.42RON 6.52
48.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.26RON 14.99
$2.24RON 10.26
45.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.02RON 18.46
$3.08RON 14.12
30.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cluj-Napoca
Targoviste
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.79RON 8.23
$1.49RON 6.84
20.13%
White Bread(500g)
$1.35RON 6.19
$0.99RON 4.56
36.36%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.86RON 8.56
$1.71RON 7.83
8.77%
Eggs
$3.35RON 15.38
$2.75RON 12.60
21.82%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.69RON 44.47
$3.42RON 15.70
183.33%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.06RON 32.40
$6.63RON 30.42
6.49%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.93RON 54.8
$9.82RON 45.08
21.49%
Apples(1kg)
$1.24RON 5.71
$1.27RON 5.83
-2.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72RON 7.91
$1.64RON 7.53
4.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.64RON 7.52
$1.52RON 6.97
7.89%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.37RON 10.90
$1.89RON 8.66
25.40%
Potato(1kg)
$0.95RON 4.35
$1.03RON 4.73
-7.77%
Onion(1kg)
$0.93RON 4.25
$1.09RON 5.00
-14.68%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.09RON 4.99
$0.84RON 3.87
29.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90RON 4.13
$0.74RON 3.42
21.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.30RON 28.94
$5.87RON 26.97
7.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.65RON 35.10
$5.63RON 25.85
35.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.17RON 5.38
$1.26RON 5.79
-7.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03RON 9.32
$2.19RON 10.07
-7.31%
🚌 Getting Around
Cluj-Napoca
Targoviste
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.71RON 3.24
$0.48RON 2.21
47.92%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$23.37RON 107
$19.77RON 90.7
18.21%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.95RON 4.35
$0.79RON 3.63
20.25%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81RON 3.72
$0.76RON 3.49
6.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.56RON 43.86
$7.34RON 33.71
30.25%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.63RON 7.47
$1.60RON 7.35
1.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.6KRON 126.7K
$28.4KRON 130.4K
-2.87%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1KRON 124.4K
$27.1KRON 124.4K
-0.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cluj-Napoca
Targoviste
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$160RON 734
$209RON 962
-23.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.06RON 41.60
$8.22RON 37.72
10.22%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.14RON 46.54
$9.14RON 41.94
10.94%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cluj-Napoca
Targoviste
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.86RON 206
$23.00RON 106
95.04%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.93RON 91.5
$19.03RON 87.4
4.73%
Cinema Ticket
$7.93RON 36.41
$3.53RON 16.22
124.65%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cluj-Napoca
Targoviste
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$475RON 2,180
$350RON 1,608
35.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.8KRON 49.4K
$9,148RON 42.0K
17.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cluj-Napoca
Targoviste
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.0RON 321
$70.1RON 322
-0.06%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.45RON 181
$34.97RON 161
12.81%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.4RON 397
$57.3RON 263
50.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$100RON 460
$81.2RON 373
23.46%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cluj-Napoca
Targoviste
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$714RON 3,278
$382RON 1,753
86.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$559RON 2,566
$288RON 1,322
94.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,244RON 5,709
$473RON 2,171
163.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$943RON 4,329
$426RON 1,956
121.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,645RON 21.3K
$1,931RON 8,866
140.50%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,395RON 15.6K
$1,410RON 6,474
140.71%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cluj-Napoca
Targoviste
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,314RON 6,032
$906RON 4,160
45.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.85
6.28
-6.85%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Cluj-Napoca: July 12, 2026
Last update for Targoviste: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $714 in Cluj-Napoca and $382 in Targoviste. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cluj-Napoca pays 45% 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: $58.0 in Cluj-Napoca vs $27.00 in Targoviste for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $232 vs $187 per month, with Targoviste 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 Targoviste: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Targoviste cheaper than Cluj-Napoca?
Targoviste is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 40% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Cluj-Napoca or Targoviste?
Average pay runs 45% 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 Targoviste?
Rent for a central apartment: $714 in Cluj-Napoca versus $382 in Targoviste. 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 Targoviste runs roughly 18% 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 $475 in Cluj-Napoca versus $350 in Targoviste. 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 Targoviste?
At $1,009 in Targoviste versus $1,410 in Cluj-Napoca, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Targoviste but tight or insufficient in Cluj-Napoca. The gap between the two cities makes Targoviste the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Cluj-Napoca or Targoviste more family-friendly?
For families, Targoviste 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 Targoviste?
Safety-wise, Cluj-Napoca and Targoviste 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 Targoviste gentler on the wallet – expenses run 40% 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