🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $994 in Sighisoara versus $1,488 in Cluj-Napoca.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,604 in Sighisoara versus $2,213 in Cluj-Napoca.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,214 in Sighisoara versus $2,938 in Cluj-Napoca.
🌍Living in Sighisoara costs roughly 33% less than in Cluj-Napoca, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Sighisoara is 28% below, Cluj-Napoca is 8% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sighisoara
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.16RON 50.4
$13.48RON 60.8
-17.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.19RON 177
$57.1RON 258
-31.40%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.63RON 38.97
$10.07RON 45.45
-14.30%
Cappuccino
$2.27RON 10.27
$3.92RON 17.69
-42.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16RON 9.73
$2.47RON 11.17
-12.55%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49RON 11.24
$2.47RON 11.13
0.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.23RON 10.05
$3.36RON 15.18
-33.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84RON 12.84
$4.46RON 20.14
-36.32%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sighisoara
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.52RON 6.88
$1.74RON 7.85
-12.64%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29RON 5.81
$1.59RON 7.19
-18.87%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.57RON 7.10
$1.86RON 8.38
-15.59%
Eggs
$3.53RON 15.92
$3.90RON 17.62
-9.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.78RON 35.13
$9.69RON 43.73
-19.71%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.64RON 34.48
$7.78RON 35.15
-1.80%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.69RON 34.70
$12.11RON 54.7
-36.50%
Apples(1kg)
$1.13RON 5.08
$1.49RON 6.71
-24.16%
Banana(1kg)
$1.78RON 8.05
$1.79RON 8.09
-0.56%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.84RON 8.31
$1.96RON 8.87
-6.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.52RON 11.37
$2.57RON 11.61
-1.95%
Potato(1kg)
$0.80RON 3.61
$1.00RON 4.52
-20.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.04RON 4.69
$1.05RON 4.73
-0.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.01RON 4.54
$1.03RON 4.67
-1.94%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08RON 4.86
$1.03RON 4.67
4.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.48RON 24.73
$6.76RON 30.50
-18.93%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.55RON 34.10
$7.54RON 34.05
0.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.28RON 5.80
$1.29RON 5.81
-0.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86RON 8.38
$1.86RON 8.39
-
🚌 Getting Around
Sighisoara
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.64RON 2.88
$0.79RON 3.58
-18.99%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$32.36RON 146
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.91RON 4.12
$0.92RON 4.14
-1.09%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.02RON 4.61
$0.98RON 4.41
4.08%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.04RON 40.80
$9.12RON 41.17
-0.88%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.74RON 7.87
$1.91RON 8.60
-8.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9KRON 135.2K
$29.3KRON 132.4K
2.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8KRON 116.3K
$26.1KRON 118.0K
-1.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sighisoara
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$63.4RON 286
$165RON 743
-61.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.73RON 39.40
$8.94RON 40.35
-2.35%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.77RON 39.58
$10.16RON 45.88
-13.68%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sighisoara
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$55.5RON 250
$49.99RON 226
10.96%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$23.35RON 105
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.15RON 45.83
$9.93RON 44.85
2.22%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sighisoara
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$616RON 2,781
$624RON 2,819
-1.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.0KRON 45.3K
$10.0KRON 45.2K
0.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sighisoara
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$94.9RON 429
$93.8RON 424
1.15%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.35RON 223
$49.38RON 223
-0.06%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$107RON 484
$103RON 466
3.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114RON 514
$117RON 529
-2.75%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sighisoara
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$339RON 1,529
$677RON 3,055
-49.97%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$269RON 1,216
$557RON 2,516
-51.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$564RON 2,547
$1,195RON 5,396
-52.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$510RON 2,303
$844RON 3,812
-39.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,677RON 7,570
$4,864RON 22.0K
-65.53%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,128RON 5,090
$3,549RON 16.0K
-68.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sighisoara
Cluj-Napoca
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$616RON 2,782
$1,340RON 6,051
-54.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.8
6.8
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sighisoara: September 6, 2026
Last update for Cluj-Napoca: September 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $339 in Sighisoara and $677 in Cluj-Napoca. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cluj-Napoca pays 118% 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: $39.00 in Sighisoara vs $57.0 in Cluj-Napoca for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $216 vs $246 per month, with Sighisoara 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
Sighisoara vs Cluj-Napoca: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cluj-Napoca cheaper than Sighisoara?
Sighisoara is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 50% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Sighisoara or Cluj-Napoca?
On paper, salaries run 118% 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 Sighisoara and Cluj-Napoca?
Rent for a central apartment: $339 in Sighisoara versus $677 in Cluj-Napoca. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $616 in Sighisoara versus $624 in Cluj-Napoca. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Sighisoara or in Cluj-Napoca?
Dining out is cheaper in Sighisoara – a meal for two runs $39.00 versus $57.0 in Cluj-Napoca. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Sighisoara or in Cluj-Napoca?
At $994 in Sighisoara versus $1,488 in Cluj-Napoca, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Sighisoara but tight or insufficient in Cluj-Napoca. The gap between the two cities makes Sighisoara the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Sighisoara or Cluj-Napoca more family-friendly?
For families, Sighisoara 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, Sighisoara or Cluj-Napoca?
Safety-wise, Sighisoara 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 Sighisoara gentler on the wallet – expenses run 50% less than in Cluj-Napoca. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Sighisoara vs other spots: cost of living compared