πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,027 in Targu Jiu versus $1,336 in Bucharest.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,641 in Targu Jiu versus $2,162 in Bucharest.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,255 in Targu Jiu versus $2,988 in Bucharest.
πLiving in Targu Jiu costs roughly 23% less than in Bucharest, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Targu Jiu is 23% below, Bucharest is 0% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Targu Jiu
Bucharest
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.95RONΒ 63.4
$13.58RONΒ 61.8
2.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.1RONΒ 310
$68.1RONΒ 310
-0.03%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.01RONΒ 36.41
$8.05RONΒ 36.58
-0.50%
Cappuccino
$3.35RONΒ 15.25
$3.40RONΒ 15.45
-1.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13RONΒ 5.13
$2.32RONΒ 10.56
-51.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40RONΒ 10.91
$2.38RONΒ 10.80
0.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.53RONΒ 16.02
$3.54RONΒ 16.08
-0.28%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.86RONΒ 17.56
$4.01RONΒ 18.24
-3.74%
π Groceries & Markets
Targu Jiu
Bucharest
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.73RONΒ 7.89
$1.74RONΒ 7.92
-0.57%
White Bread(500g)
$1.37RONΒ 6.24
$1.42RONΒ 6.45
-3.52%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91RONΒ 8.70
$1.93RONΒ 8.77
-1.04%
Eggs
$3.01RONΒ 13.67
$3.54RONΒ 16.08
-14.97%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.93RONΒ 36.03
$9.27RONΒ 42.13
-14.46%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.17RONΒ 14.42
$7.13RONΒ 32.39
-55.54%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.98RONΒ 36.28
$12.28RONΒ 55.8
-35.02%
Apples(1kg)
$1.01RONΒ 4.60
$1.35RONΒ 6.15
-25.19%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64RONΒ 7.44
$1.74RONΒ 7.90
-5.75%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.26RONΒ 5.72
$1.76RONΒ 8.02
-28.41%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.34RONΒ 6.11
$2.40RONΒ 10.89
-44.17%
Potato(1kg)
$0.88RONΒ 4.00
$1.05RONΒ 4.75
-16.19%
Onion(1kg)
$1.01RONΒ 4.60
$0.96RONΒ 4.37
5.21%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67RONΒ 3.05
$0.92RONΒ 4.17
-27.17%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59RONΒ 2.69
$0.91RONΒ 4.12
-35.16%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.60RONΒ 25.48
$6.38RONΒ 28.98
-12.23%
Wine(Bottle)
$3.03RONΒ 13.76
$6.45RONΒ 29.32
-53.02%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.95RONΒ 4.31
$1.22RONΒ 5.54
-22.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13RONΒ 5.15
$1.98RONΒ 9.00
-42.93%
π Getting Around
Targu Jiu
Bucharest
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.67RONΒ 3.05
$1.16RONΒ 5.30
-42.24%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.17RONΒ 91.7
$19.48RONΒ 88.5
3.54%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.72RONΒ 3.29
$0.72RONΒ 3.27
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.61RONΒ 2.79
$0.62RONΒ 2.81
-1.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.85RONΒ 31.12
$6.94RONΒ 31.53
-1.30%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.68RONΒ 7.65
$1.71RONΒ 7.79
-1.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.8KRONΒ 131.1K
$29.0KRONΒ 131.7K
-0.45%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.8KRONΒ 139.9K
$30.3KRONΒ 137.7K
1.57%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Targu Jiu
Bucharest
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$179RONΒ 813
$178RONΒ 808
0.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.43RONΒ 29.24
$9.16RONΒ 41.63
-29.80%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.49RONΒ 47.70
$11.12RONΒ 50.5
-5.67%
π Sport & Entertainment
Targu Jiu
Bucharest
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.16RONΒ 187
$54.7RONΒ 248
-24.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.45RONΒ 88.4
$29.04RONΒ 132
-33.02%
Cinema Ticket
$9.29RONΒ 42.21
$9.27RONΒ 42.15
0.22%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Targu Jiu
Bucharest
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$656RONΒ 2,982
$677RONΒ 3,077
-3.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.6KRONΒ 66.2K
$14.9KRONΒ 67.5K
-1.94%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Targu Jiu
Bucharest
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.5RONΒ 252
$79.8RONΒ 363
-30.44%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.14RONΒ 128
$45.29RONΒ 206
-37.87%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$57.0RONΒ 259
$89.2RONΒ 405
-36.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$91.8RONΒ 417
$109RONΒ 496
-15.92%
π Accommodation & Living
Targu Jiu
Bucharest
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$374RONΒ 1,702
$662RONΒ 3,009
-43.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$256RONΒ 1,164
$432RONΒ 1,964
-40.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$522RONΒ 2,374
$1,355RONΒ 6,161
-61.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$432RONΒ 1,966
$841RONΒ 3,823
-48.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,632RONΒ 12.0K
$3,857RONΒ 17.5K
-31.77%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,305RONΒ 10.5K
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Targu Jiu
Bucharest
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$544RONΒ 2,474
$1,463RONΒ 6,652
-62.80%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.1
7.1
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Targu Jiu: June 1, 2026
Last update for Bucharest: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $374 in Targu Jiu and $662 in Bucharest. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Bucharest pays 169% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $68.0 in Targu Jiu vs $68.0 in Bucharest for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $168 vs $233 per month, with Targu Jiu 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
Targu Jiu vs Bucharest: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Targu Jiu and Bucharest?
Targu Jiu and Bucharest differ by about 30% in total monthly costs ($1,027 vs $1,336 including rent). Targu Jiu is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Bucharest earns 169% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Targu Jiu and Bucharest?
Rent for a central apartment: $374 in Targu Jiu versus $662 in Bucharest. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Targu Jiu or Bucharest?
All in, you'll spend $1,027 per month in Targu Jiu versus $1,336 in Bucharest β a 30% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Targu Jiu and Bucharest?
A monthly transit pass in Targu Jiu runs roughly 4% less than in Bucharest. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,027 in Targu Jiu versus $1,336 in Bucharest, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Targu Jiu but tight or insufficient in Bucharest. The gap between the two cities makes Targu Jiu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Targu Jiu and Bucharest?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Targu Jiu or Bucharest?
Expats usually find Targu Jiu gentler on the wallet β expenses run 30% less than in Bucharest. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.