πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,059 in Targu Frumos, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,553 in Targu Frumos, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $2,046 in Targu Frumos, rent included.
πMedellin is about 4% cheaper than Targu Frumos, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Targu Frumos are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Targu Frumos21% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Targu Frumos
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.5K
$8.88RONΒ 40.41
-32.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 118.1K
$40.62RONΒ 185
-19.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.5K
$9.14RONΒ 41.61
-22.43%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,154
$2.20RONΒ 10.02
-22.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,949
$1.32RONΒ 6.02
-16.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,798
$1.15RONΒ 5.23
-32.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 6,035
$2.16RONΒ 9.85
-22.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$2.71RONΒ 12.35
13.28%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Targu Frumos
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,930
$1.61RONΒ 7.32
-32.30%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,536
$1.16RONΒ 5.26
8.62%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,953
$1.64RONΒ 7.45
-15.85%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,876
$2.99RONΒ 13.59
-26.76%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.8K
$8.76RONΒ 39.88
-49.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.2K
$7.20RONΒ 32.78
-21.81%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 32.0K
$12.54RONΒ 57.1
-29.11%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,401
$0.98RONΒ 4.45
138.78%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,801
$1.32RONΒ 6.01
-19.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,408
$1.52RONΒ 6.90
-1.32%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,955
$1.91RONΒ 8.69
-27.75%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,137
$0.96RONΒ 4.35
19.79%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,181
$0.92RONΒ 4.17
26.09%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,202
$0.78RONΒ 3.56
14.10%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 3,016
$0.74RONΒ 3.36
13.51%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,196
$6.26RONΒ 28.51
-63.58%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.2K
$7.71RONΒ 35.10
38.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,311
$1.03RONΒ 4.69
16.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,880
$1.70RONΒ 7.76
45.29%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Targu Frumos
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,075
$0.71RONΒ 3.23
21.13%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 148.8K
$19.86RONΒ 90.4
108.46%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,297
$0.91RONΒ 4.13
61.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,053
$0.61RONΒ 2.79
221.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.8K
$7.34RONΒ 33.42
5.45%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,430
$1.59RONΒ 7.24
-40.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 65.2M
$28.3KRONΒ 128.8K
-35.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 95.2M
$27.5KRONΒ 125.0K
-3.52%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Targu Frumos
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 295.6K
$170RONΒ 772
-51.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 34.1K
$8.69RONΒ 39.55
9.32%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 87.1K
$10.08RONΒ 45.88
140.38%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Targu Frumos
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 93.0K
$42.05RONΒ 191
-38.43%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 68.3K
$19.03RONΒ 86.6
-0.16%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.1K
$5.86RONΒ 26.69
-32.94%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Targu Frumos
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$422RONΒ 1,919
-26.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.4M
$7,030RONΒ 32.0K
-15.15%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Targu Frumos
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 210.8K
$72.7RONΒ 331
-19.33%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 116.2K
$32.09RONΒ 146
0.81%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 368.7K
$74.7RONΒ 340
37.33%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 389.6K
$79.7RONΒ 363
36.05%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Targu Frumos
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$382RONΒ 1,738
24.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$287RONΒ 1,304
32.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$576RONΒ 2,624
45.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$434RONΒ 1,977
66.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$1,695RONΒ 7,718
64.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.4M
$1,322RONΒ 6,020
-8.40%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Targu Frumos
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
8.17
64.38%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Targu Frumos: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $382 in Targu Frumos. 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 $33.00 in Medellin versus $41.00 in Targu Frumos. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $215 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 Targu Frumos: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Targu Frumos cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Targu Frumos is pricier by about 5%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. 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 $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,589 in Targu Frumos. 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 Medellin, 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 Targu Frumos?
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Targu Frumos?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $1,059 in Targu Frumos. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Targu Frumos?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Targu Frumos at $1,059. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Targu Frumos it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Targu Frumos more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin 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 Targu Frumos?
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 Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Targu Frumos makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.