πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,028 in Medellin versus $939 in Focsani.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,586 in Medellin versus $1,438 in Focsani.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,144 in Medellin versus $1,937 in Focsani.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 9% more expensive than Focsani, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin23% lower, Focsani30% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Focsani
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.00COPΒ 20.6K
$8.30RONΒ 37.37
-27.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.84COPΒ 112.5K
$45.88RONΒ 207
-28.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.42COPΒ 25.4K
$5.63RONΒ 25.34
31.79%
Cappuccino
$1.65COPΒ 5,659
$1.87RONΒ 8.42
-11.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07COPΒ 3,663
$1.58RONΒ 7.11
-32.28%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76COPΒ 2,607
$1.35RONΒ 6.07
-43.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COPΒ 5,908
$1.89RONΒ 8.52
-8.99%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20COPΒ 11.0K
$2.83RONΒ 12.76
13.07%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Focsani
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,597
$1.55RONΒ 7.00
-32.26%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31COPΒ 4,479
$0.83RONΒ 3.76
57.83%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34COPΒ 4,591
$1.84RONΒ 8.28
-27.17%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,521
$2.92RONΒ 13.15
-25.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.41COPΒ 15.1K
$8.66RONΒ 39.00
-49.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.69COPΒ 19.5K
$6.97RONΒ 31.39
-18.36%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.52COPΒ 29.2K
$12.10RONΒ 54.5
-29.59%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,023
$1.01RONΒ 4.55
131.68%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COPΒ 3,804
$1.40RONΒ 6.32
-20.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,210
$1.40RONΒ 6.30
8.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,680
$2.36RONΒ 10.62
-41.95%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 3,950
$0.71RONΒ 3.20
61.97%
Onion(1kg)
$1.18COPΒ 4,043
$0.89RONΒ 4.01
32.58%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.84COPΒ 2,885
$0.55RONΒ 2.50
52.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86COPΒ 2,931
$0.80RONΒ 3.58
7.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26COPΒ 7,753
$5.93RONΒ 26.73
-61.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.60COPΒ 39.8K
$4.39RONΒ 19.79
164.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,109
$1.10RONΒ 4.94
9.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COPΒ 8,484
$1.13RONΒ 5.10
119.47%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Focsani
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,721
$0.60RONΒ 2.72
31.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.83COPΒ 139.9K
$14.16RONΒ 63.8
188.35%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,023
$0.75RONΒ 3.39
96.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COPΒ 6,568
$0.76RONΒ 3.43
152.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.77COPΒ 26.6K
$6.75RONΒ 30.40
15.11%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,464
$1.57RONΒ 7.08
-35.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPΒ 60.5M
$27.5KRONΒ 124.0K
-35.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 90.7M
$28.0KRONΒ 126.2K
-5.58%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Focsani
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.1COPΒ 277.9K
$165RONΒ 743
-50.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.43COPΒ 32.3K
$8.22RONΒ 37.02
14.72%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.86COPΒ 81.8K
$9.28RONΒ 41.81
157.11%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Focsani
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.99COPΒ 89.1K
$17.17RONΒ 77.3
51.37%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.71COPΒ 64.1K
$19.39RONΒ 87.3
-3.51%
Cinema Ticket
$4.09COPΒ 14.0K
$11.14RONΒ 50.2
-63.29%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Focsani
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$315COPΒ 1.1M
$407RONΒ 1,835
-22.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,022COPΒ 20.6M
$6,575RONΒ 29.6K
-8.41%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Focsani
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7COPΒ 204.6K
$67.3RONΒ 303
-11.33%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.97COPΒ 109.6K
$43.43RONΒ 196
-26.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COPΒ 346.9K
$58.1RONΒ 262
74.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105COPΒ 360.3K
$71.5RONΒ 322
46.92%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Focsani
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$485COPΒ 1.7M
$344RONΒ 1,551
40.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$365COPΒ 1.3M
$271RONΒ 1,221
34.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$827COPΒ 2.8M
$579RONΒ 2,608
42.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COPΒ 2.5M
$434RONΒ 1,957
68.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,992COPΒ 10.3M
$1,130RONΒ 5,087
164.89%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,314COPΒ 4.5M
$911RONΒ 4,102
44.28%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Focsani
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$551COPΒ 1.9M
$710RONΒ 3,199
-22.47%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.5
106.62%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 15, 2026
Last update for Focsani: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $485 in Medellin and $344 in Focsani. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Focsani pays 29% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $46.00 in Focsani for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $203 per month, with Medellin 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
Medellin vs Focsani: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Focsani?
Focsani wins on cost β living expenses run 9% lower than in Medellin. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Focsani the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Medellin or Focsani?
On paper, Focsani earns 29% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Medellin vs Focsani?
Rent for a central apartment: $485 in Medellin versus $344 in Focsani. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin vs Focsani?
Dining out is cheaper in Focsani β a meal for two runs $46.00 versus $33.00 in Medellin. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin compared to Focsani?
All in, you'll spend $1,028 per month in Medellin versus $939 in Focsani β a 9% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Medellin or Focsani?
At $939 in Focsani versus $1,028 in Medellin, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Focsani but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Focsani the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Focsani?
Both work as nomad bases, but Focsani delivers better value β similar infrastructure at $939 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Focsani hard to pass up.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Focsani gentler on the wallet β expenses run 9% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.