Cost of Living Comparison Between Mamaia and IasiCost of Living Comparison Between Mamaia and Iasi
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,015 per month in Mamaia vs $1,123 in Iasi, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,555 per month in Mamaia vs $1,706 in Iasi, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,096 per month in Mamaia vs $2,288 in Iasi, rent included.
πMamaia is about 10% cheaper than Iasi, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Mamaia and Iasi are more affordable than the global median β Mamaia25% lower, Iasi16% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Mamaia
Iasi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.76RONΒ 44.15
$10.49RONΒ 47.43
-6.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.49RONΒ 210
$50.4RONΒ 228
-7.83%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.96RONΒ 36.01
$7.06RONΒ 31.91
12.75%
Cappuccino
$2.66RONΒ 12.03
$2.61RONΒ 11.79
1.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93RONΒ 8.73
$2.09RONΒ 9.45
-7.66%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71RONΒ 7.72
$1.71RONΒ 7.75
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.27RONΒ 10.28
$2.56RONΒ 11.58
-11.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78RONΒ 12.59
$3.36RONΒ 15.18
-17.26%
π Groceries & Markets
Mamaia
Iasi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.54RONΒ 6.95
$1.38RONΒ 6.25
11.59%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26RONΒ 5.68
$1.21RONΒ 5.49
4.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71RONΒ 7.73
$1.88RONΒ 8.52
-9.04%
Eggs
$3.21RONΒ 14.53
$3.26RONΒ 14.76
-1.53%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.35RONΒ 37.77
$7.95RONΒ 35.97
5.03%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.69RONΒ 30.26
$6.69RONΒ 30.28
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.91RONΒ 44.83
$10.95RONΒ 49.51
-9.50%
Apples(1kg)
$1.15RONΒ 5.20
$1.24RONΒ 5.62
-7.26%
Banana(1kg)
$1.58RONΒ 7.17
$1.55RONΒ 7.01
1.94%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.55RONΒ 7.03
$1.80RONΒ 8.12
-13.89%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.14RONΒ 9.69
$1.97RONΒ 8.90
8.63%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87RONΒ 3.92
$0.98RONΒ 4.45
-11.22%
Onion(1kg)
$0.88RONΒ 3.99
$1.05RONΒ 4.77
-16.19%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.93RONΒ 4.21
$1.01RONΒ 4.56
-7.92%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85RONΒ 3.82
$0.80RONΒ 3.63
6.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.04RONΒ 27.31
$6.07RONΒ 27.45
-0.49%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.21RONΒ 28.08
$6.70RONΒ 30.32
-7.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.07RONΒ 4.83
$1.14RONΒ 5.14
-6.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.64RONΒ 7.40
$1.97RONΒ 8.93
-16.75%
π Getting Around
Mamaia
Iasi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.68RONΒ 3.07
$0.79RONΒ 3.57
-13.92%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.56RONΒ 88.5
$27.90RONΒ 126
-29.89%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.71RONΒ 3.23
$0.93RONΒ 4.21
-23.66%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.75RONΒ 3.39
$0.75RONΒ 3.41
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.77RONΒ 30.63
$8.26RONΒ 37.38
-18.04%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.57RONΒ 7.08
$1.68RONΒ 7.58
-6.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.4KRONΒ 128.5K
$28.3KRONΒ 128.2K
0.21%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.5KRONΒ 124.6K
$27.6KRONΒ 124.6K
-0.01%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mamaia
Iasi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$146RONΒ 662
$158RONΒ 717
-7.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.19RONΒ 37.05
$8.26RONΒ 37.35
-0.85%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.91RONΒ 40.29
$10.26RONΒ 46.40
-13.16%
π Sport & Entertainment
Mamaia
Iasi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.81RONΒ 189
$46.57RONΒ 211
-10.22%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00RONΒ 86.0
$18.66RONΒ 84.4
1.82%
Cinema Ticket
$6.97RONΒ 31.52
$8.14RONΒ 36.80
-14.37%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Mamaia
Iasi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$422RONΒ 1,909
$462RONΒ 2,090
-8.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,856RONΒ 31.0K
$6,957RONΒ 31.5K
-1.45%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Mamaia
Iasi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.5RONΒ 310
$63.1RONΒ 285
8.51%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.38RONΒ 183
$43.17RONΒ 195
-6.46%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$74.8RONΒ 338
$84.9RONΒ 384
-11.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.4RONΒ 431
$88.8RONΒ 402
7.40%
π Accommodation & Living
Mamaia
Iasi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$391RONΒ 1,770
$480RONΒ 2,170
-18.41%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$290RONΒ 1,313
$362RONΒ 1,639
-19.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$583RONΒ 2,637
$744RONΒ 3,366
-21.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$439RONΒ 1,986
$550RONΒ 2,486
-20.11%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,872RONΒ 8,466
$2,956RONΒ 13.4K
-36.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,515RONΒ 6,851
$2,005RONΒ 9,071
-24.47%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Mamaia
Iasi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$1,181RONΒ 5,340
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.5
7.37
-11.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mamaia: June 7, 2026
Last update for Iasi: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $391 in Mamaia versus $480 in Iasi. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $46.00 in Mamaia versus $50.0 in Iasi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $207 vs $211 β making Mamaia the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Mamaia vs Iasi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Mamaia and Iasi compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,015 in Mamaia, $1,123 in Iasi β roughly 11% apart. Iasi costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Mamaia compared to Iasi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,522 per month in Mamaia and $1,684 in Iasi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Mamaia and Iasi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Mamaia, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Mamaia and Iasi?
Public transport costs about 43% less in Mamaia. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Mamaia and Iasi?
Kindergarten costs $422 per month in Mamaia and $462 in Iasi. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Mamaia, where all-in costs run around $1,015, than in Iasi at $1,123. In Mamaia it covers expenses comfortably, while in Iasi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Mamaia and Iasi?
It depends on your priorities. Mamaia has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,015 in Mamaia to $1,123 in Iasi. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Mamaia or Iasi safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Mamaia and Iasi?
If budget matters most, go with Mamaia. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Iasi makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.