πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $918 in Sfantu Gheorghe, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,429 in Sfantu Gheorghe, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,940 in Sfantu Gheorghe, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 11% more than Sfantu Gheorghe, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Sfantu Gheorghe are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Sfantu Gheorghe32% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$8.45RONΒ 38.22
-29.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$40.07RONΒ 181
-16.82%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$9.12RONΒ 41.25
-20.72%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.01RONΒ 9.09
-18.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.27RONΒ 5.73
-14.17%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$1.11RONΒ 5.01
-34.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.13RONΒ 9.66
-18.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.72RONΒ 12.30
18.75%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.54RONΒ 6.99
-31.82%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.22RONΒ 5.50
5.74%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.35RONΒ 6.12
-2.22%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$3.05RONΒ 13.78
-25.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$8.74RONΒ 39.55
-50.23%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$4.11RONΒ 18.61
43.07%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$12.30RONΒ 55.7
-30.00%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$0.98RONΒ 4.44
129.59%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.31RONΒ 5.93
-18.32%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.30RONΒ 5.88
16.92%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.98RONΒ 8.98
-28.28%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.72RONΒ 3.28
62.50%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.87RONΒ 3.94
34.48%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.79RONΒ 3.55
12.66%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.67RONΒ 3.04
34.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$5.52RONΒ 24.96
-59.24%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$8.46RONΒ 38.26
30.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.05RONΒ 4.74
8.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.13RONΒ 5.11
110.62%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.67RONΒ 3.02
25.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$19.63RONΒ 88.8
113.70%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.95RONΒ 4.28
48.42%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.67RONΒ 3.05
183.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$7.51RONΒ 33.99
3.20%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.58RONΒ 7.17
-36.08%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$27.9KRONΒ 126.4K
-37.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$28.0KRONΒ 126.8K
-5.50%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$168RONΒ 761
-50.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$8.52RONΒ 38.55
10.92%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$9.63RONΒ 43.58
150.36%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$40.76RONΒ 184
-37.90%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$18.87RONΒ 85.4
1.43%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$3.35RONΒ 15.16
22.39%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$431RONΒ 1,951
-27.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$6,922RONΒ 31.3K
-13.42%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$34.47RONΒ 156
68.38%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$18.69RONΒ 84.6
74.21%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$27.87RONΒ 126
257.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$69.8RONΒ 316
55.41%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$320RONΒ 1,446
50.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$230RONΒ 1,038
65.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$565RONΒ 2,557
48.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$440RONΒ 1,992
64.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,926RONΒ 8,713
47.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,397RONΒ 6,318
-12.43%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$724RONΒ 3,276
-25.31%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.75
98.96%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Sfantu Gheorghe: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $320 in Sfantu Gheorghe. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 34% higher in Sfantu Gheorghe, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $40.00 in Sfantu Gheorghe. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $196 β making Medellin 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
Medellin vs Sfantu Gheorghe: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sfantu Gheorghe cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 11%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,377 in Sfantu Gheorghe. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Sfantu Gheorghe, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or Sfantu Gheorghe?
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Sfantu Gheorghe?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $918 in Sfantu Gheorghe. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Sfantu Gheorghe?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Sfantu Gheorghe, where all-in costs run around $918, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Sfantu Gheorghe it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Sfantu Gheorghe more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Sfantu Gheorghe β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Sfantu Gheorghe?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Sfantu Gheorghe. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.