😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,361 in Cluj-Napoca versus $1,036 in Vaslui.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,124 in Cluj-Napoca versus $1,562 in Vaslui.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,887 in Cluj-Napoca versus $2,087 in Vaslui.
🌍Living in Cluj-Napoca is roughly 31% more expensive than in Vaslui, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Cluj-Napoca is 2% above, Vaslui is 22% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cluj-Napoca
Vaslui
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.38RON 52.0
$9.77RON 44.64
16.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$57.6RON 263
$41.89RON 191
37.55%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.94RON 36.25
$7.70RON 35.14
3.12%
Cappuccino
$3.53RON 16.13
$2.62RON 11.95
34.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37RON 10.84
$1.90RON 8.68
24.74%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12RON 9.70
$1.83RON 8.38
15.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.13RON 14.29
$2.25RON 10.29
39.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.02RON 18.35
$3.49RON 15.95
15.19%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cluj-Napoca
Vaslui
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.77RON 8.08
$1.42RON 6.46
24.65%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31RON 5.97
$1.08RON 4.95
21.30%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.81RON 8.29
$1.76RON 8.02
2.84%
Eggs
$3.34RON 15.24
$3.39RON 15.49
-1.47%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.83RON 44.90
$8.92RON 40.72
10.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.27RON 33.21
$7.01RON 32.01
3.71%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.00RON 54.8
$9.15RON 41.80
31.15%
Apples(1kg)
$1.23RON 5.62
$1.22RON 5.58
0.82%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77RON 8.08
$1.40RON 6.40
26.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.56RON 7.12
$1.29RON 5.89
20.93%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.36RON 10.79
$1.90RON 8.68
24.21%
Potato(1kg)
$0.94RON 4.31
$0.76RON 3.47
23.68%
Onion(1kg)
$0.97RON 4.43
$0.93RON 4.25
4.30%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.09RON 4.98
$0.74RON 3.40
47.30%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.92RON 4.21
$0.85RON 3.89
8.24%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.44RON 29.40
$5.66RON 25.86
13.78%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.54RON 34.42
$6.75RON 30.80
11.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.17RON 5.33
$0.93RON 4.24
25.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96RON 8.95
$1.38RON 6.31
42.03%
🚌 Getting Around
Cluj-Napoca
Vaslui
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.67RON 3.05
$0.66RON 2.99
1.52%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$23.24RON 106
$19.96RON 91.2
16.43%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.99RON 4.51
$0.66RON 3.03
50.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82RON 3.75
$0.60RON 2.76
36.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.11RON 41.61
$5.91RON 27.01
54.15%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.69RON 7.70
$1.53RON 6.99
10.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.4KRON 129.9K
$25.4KRON 116.1K
11.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.0KRON 123.4K
$26.7KRON 122.1K
1.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cluj-Napoca
Vaslui
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$158RON 723
$147RON 670
7.84%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.72RON 39.83
$8.19RON 37.40
6.47%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.91RON 45.28
$9.76RON 44.57
1.54%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cluj-Napoca
Vaslui
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.33RON 198
$41.97RON 192
3.24%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.21RON 92.3
$18.96RON 86.6
6.59%
Cinema Ticket
$7.86RON 35.91
$6.81RON 31.10
15.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cluj-Napoca
Vaslui
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$492RON 2,249
$429RON 1,960
14.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.5KRON 47.9K
$7,059RON 32.2K
48.59%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cluj-Napoca
Vaslui
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.0RON 320
$81.5RON 372
-14.08%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.01RON 187
$15.77RON 72.0
160.05%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.2RON 385
$74.1RON 338
13.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$101RON 462
$98.1RON 448
3.24%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cluj-Napoca
Vaslui
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$712RON 3,250
$389RON 1,775
83.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$548RON 2,502
$294RON 1,343
86.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,267RON 5,788
$598RON 2,731
111.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$940RON 4,294
$440RON 2,010
113.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,857RON 22.2K
$1,734RON 7,919
180.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,404RON 15.5K
$1,275RON 5,823
166.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cluj-Napoca
Vaslui
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,325RON 6,050
$470RON 2,148
181.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.85
6.5
-10.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Cluj-Napoca: July 25, 2026
Last update for Vaslui: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $712 in Cluj-Napoca and $389 in Vaslui. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cluj-Napoca pays 182% 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 $42.00 in Vaslui for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $233 vs $202 per month, with Vaslui 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 Vaslui: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vaslui cheaper than Cluj-Napoca?
Vaslui is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 31% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Cluj-Napoca or Vaslui?
Average pay runs 182% 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 Vaslui?
Rent for a central apartment: $712 in Cluj-Napoca versus $389 in Vaslui. 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 Vaslui runs roughly 16% 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 $492 in Cluj-Napoca versus $429 in Vaslui. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Cluj-Napoca or in Vaslui?
At $1,036 in Vaslui versus $1,361 in Cluj-Napoca, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Vaslui but tight or insufficient in Cluj-Napoca. The gap between the two cities makes Vaslui the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Cluj-Napoca or Vaslui more family-friendly?
For families, Vaslui 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 Vaslui?
Safety-wise, Cluj-Napoca and Vaslui 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 Vaslui gentler on the wallet – expenses run 31% 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