🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,036 in Targu Jiu versus $2,268 in Lisbon.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,614 in Targu Jiu versus $3,348 in Lisbon.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,192 in Targu Jiu versus $4,429 in Lisbon.
🌍Living in Targu Jiu costs roughly 54% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Targu Jiu is 25% below, Lisbon is 64% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Targu Jiu
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.26RON 64.6
$17.55€15.12
-18.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$61.6RON 279
$64.5€55.6
-4.47%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.54RON 34.15
$11.65€10.04
-35.28%
Cappuccino
$3.58RON 16.23
$3.26€2.81
9.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13RON 5.12
$2.49€2.15
-54.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36RON 10.70
$1.67€1.44
41.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.87RON 17.53
$3.47€2.99
11.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.55RON 20.61
$3.58€3.08
27.09%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Targu Jiu
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.80RON 8.13
$1.18€1.02
52.54%
White Bread(500g)
$1.42RON 6.41
$1.95€1.68
-27.18%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.72RON 7.80
$1.56€1.35
10.26%
Eggs
$2.88RON 13.02
$4.01€3.46
-28.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.96RON 36.06
$13.27€11.44
-40.02%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.06RON 13.88
$8.42€7.26
-63.66%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.58RON 34.33
$18.23€15.72
-58.42%
Apples(1kg)
$0.99RON 4.47
$2.32€2.00
-57.33%
Banana(1kg)
$1.59RON 7.20
$1.73€1.49
-8.09%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.21RON 5.48
$1.93€1.67
-37.31%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.30RON 5.90
$2.64€2.27
-50.76%
Potato(1kg)
$0.82RON 3.71
$1.90€1.64
-56.84%
Onion(1kg)
$0.76RON 3.43
$2.11€1.82
-63.98%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.68RON 3.09
$1.44€1.24
-52.78%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54RON 2.43
$0.80€0.69
-32.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.44RON 24.65
$7.01€6.04
-22.40%
Wine(Bottle)
$3.09RON 13.98
$5.92€5.11
-47.80%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.86RON 3.89
$1.36€1.18
-36.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12RON 5.09
$2.15€1.85
-47.91%
🚌 Getting Around
Targu Jiu
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.82RON 3.70
$2.38€2.05
-65.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.14RON 91.2
$46.22€39.85
-56.43%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.67RON 3.04
$4.19€3.61
-84.01%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69RON 3.13
$1.10€0.95
-37.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.70RON 30.34
$17.26€14.88
-61.18%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.58RON 7.14
$2.25€1.94
-29.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.1KRON 136.5K
$34.5K€29.7K
-12.57%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.4KRON 128.4K
$41.6K€35.9K
-31.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Targu Jiu
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$201RON 909
$171€147
17.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.28RON 28.43
$19.01€16.38
-66.96%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.92RON 44.92
$34.28€29.55
-71.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Targu Jiu
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.76RON 180
$49.65€42.80
-19.92%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.70RON 89.2
$19.51€16.81
0.97%
Cinema Ticket
$8.83RON 39.98
$10.10€8.71
-12.57%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Targu Jiu
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$648RON 2,934
$699€603
-7.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,186RON 32.5K
$17.8K€15.3K
-59.55%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Targu Jiu
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.4RON 242
$105€90.2
-48.94%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.35RON 119
$47.97€41.35
-45.07%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$54.3RON 246
$102€87.8
-46.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.3RON 395
$128€111
-31.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Targu Jiu
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$360RON 1,630
$1,661€1,432
-78.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$250RON 1,131
$1,228€1,059
-79.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$500RON 2,267
$2,915€2,513
-82.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$417RON 1,888
$2,023€1,744
-79.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,916RON 8,679
$8,129€7,007
-76.42%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,268RON 5,741
$4,635€3,996
-72.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Targu Jiu
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$555RON 2,515
$1,619€1,396
-65.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.82
3.78
80.42%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Targu Jiu: September 6, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $360 in Targu Jiu and $1,661 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Lisbon pays 192% 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: $62.0 in Targu Jiu vs $64.0 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $164 vs $281 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 Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Targu Jiu and in Lisbon?
Targu Jiu and Lisbon differ by about 119% in total monthly costs ($1,036 vs $2,268 including rent). Targu Jiu is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 192% lower in Lisbon. 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 in Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $360 in Targu Jiu versus $1,661 in Lisbon. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Targu Jiu and Lisbon?
Childcare runs $648 in Targu Jiu versus $699 in Lisbon. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 71% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,036 in Targu Jiu versus $2,268 in Lisbon, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Targu Jiu but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. 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 Lisbon?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Targu Jiu or Lisbon safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Targu Jiu and Lisbon are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Targu Jiu or Lisbon?
Expats usually find Targu Jiu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 119% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.