🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,086 in Galati versus $1,501 in Cluj-Napoca.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,696 in Galati versus $2,224 in Cluj-Napoca.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,307 in Galati versus $2,946 in Cluj-Napoca.
🌍Living in Galati costs roughly 28% less than in Cluj-Napoca, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Galati is 21% below, Cluj-Napoca is 10% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Galati
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.77RON 49.43
$12.94RON 59.4
-16.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.88RON 201
$56.1RON 258
-21.82%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.51RON 34.45
$9.60RON 44.05
-21.77%
Cappuccino
$2.65RON 12.17
$3.89RON 17.84
-31.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17RON 9.97
$2.51RON 11.54
-13.55%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98RON 9.09
$2.47RON 11.32
-19.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.25RON 10.33
$3.31RON 15.21
-32.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.22RON 14.78
$4.50RON 20.65
-28.44%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Galati
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.30RON 5.95
$1.69RON 7.73
-23.08%
White Bread(500g)
$0.69RON 3.15
$1.53RON 7.01
-54.90%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.78RON 8.18
$1.91RON 8.76
-6.81%
Eggs
$3.50RON 16.06
$3.87RON 17.77
-9.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.89RON 36.19
$9.87RON 45.26
-20.06%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.14RON 28.15
$7.54RON 34.62
-18.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.73RON 40.05
$11.94RON 54.8
-26.88%
Apples(1kg)
$1.36RON 6.22
$1.51RON 6.95
-9.93%
Banana(1kg)
$1.60RON 7.36
$1.77RON 8.14
-9.60%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.59RON 7.31
$1.93RON 8.85
-17.62%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.85RON 8.47
$2.64RON 12.13
-29.92%
Potato(1kg)
$0.96RON 4.39
$0.94RON 4.29
2.13%
Onion(1kg)
$1.09RON 5.02
$1.00RON 4.57
9.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.86RON 3.94
$1.00RON 4.60
-14.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.71RON 3.25
$1.01RON 4.65
-29.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.05RON 27.76
$6.50RON 29.83
-6.92%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.62RON 25.78
$7.62RON 34.94
-26.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.02RON 4.69
$1.33RON 6.11
-23.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29RON 5.93
$1.78RON 8.15
-27.53%
🚌 Getting Around
Galati
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.74RON 3.39
$0.80RON 3.67
-7.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$25.56RON 117
$31.77RON 146
-19.55%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.64RON 2.95
$0.96RON 4.41
-33.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.73RON 3.33
$1.01RON 4.66
-27.72%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.08RON 32.49
$8.80RON 40.39
-19.55%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.71RON 7.84
$1.91RON 8.75
-10.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.5KRON 135.4K
$30.0KRON 137.5K
-1.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3KRON 120.5K
$26.3KRON 120.7K
-0.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Galati
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$155RON 712
$164RON 755
-5.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.90RON 36.25
$9.04RON 41.50
-12.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.38RON 38.46
$10.32RON 47.36
-18.80%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Galati
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.40RON 181
$48.47RON 222
-18.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$36.34RON 167
$23.56RON 108
54.24%
Cinema Ticket
$6.48RON 29.71
$9.86RON 45.22
-34.28%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Galati
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$612RON 2,809
$618RON 2,838
-0.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,233RON 24.0K
$10.3KRON 47.1K
-49.06%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Galati
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$99.4RON 456
$93.0RON 427
6.91%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.22RON 152
$47.70RON 219
-30.36%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$64.8RON 297
$103RON 473
-37.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.6RON 402
$112RON 516
-22.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Galati
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$402RON 1,846
$647RON 2,967
-37.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$328RON 1,503
$542RON 2,486
-39.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$803RON 3,686
$1,180RON 5,416
-31.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$584RON 2,681
$847RON 3,888
-31.05%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,671RON 7,666
$4,823RON 22.1K
-65.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,280RON 5,872
$3,511RON 16.1K
-63.55%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Galati
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$952RON 4,370
$1,333RON 6,118
-28.57%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.2
6.8
5.88%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Galati: September 15, 2026
Last update for Cluj-Napoca: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $402 in Galati and $647 in Cluj-Napoca. 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: $44.00 in Galati vs $56.0 in Cluj-Napoca for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $189 vs $244 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
Galati vs Cluj-Napoca: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cluj-Napoca cheaper than Galati?
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: Galati or Cluj-Napoca?
On paper, salaries run 40% lower in Cluj-Napoca. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Galati and Cluj-Napoca?
Rent for a central apartment: $402 in Galati versus $647 in Cluj-Napoca. 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 $612 in Galati versus $618 in Cluj-Napoca. 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 Galati or in Cluj-Napoca?
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 Galati or Cluj-Napoca 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, Galati or Cluj-Napoca?
Safety-wise, Galati and Cluj-Napoca 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.