πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,008 in Targu Jiu versus $2,263 in Lisbon.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,626 in Targu Jiu versus $3,315 in Lisbon.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,243 in Targu Jiu versus $4,368 in Lisbon.
πLiving in Targu Jiu costs roughly 55% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Targu Jiu is 25% below, Lisbon is 68% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Targu Jiu
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.66RONΒ 61.8
$15.94β¬13.77
-14.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.2RONΒ 309
$63.4β¬54.8
7.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.08RONΒ 36.58
$10.38β¬8.97
-22.16%
Cappuccino
$3.34RONΒ 15.11
$2.79β¬2.41
19.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18RONΒ 5.34
$2.34β¬2.02
-49.57%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32RONΒ 10.48
$1.57β¬1.35
47.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.42RONΒ 15.50
$3.43β¬2.96
-0.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.86RONΒ 17.47
$3.91β¬3.38
-1.28%
π Groceries & Markets
Targu Jiu
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.81RONΒ 8.20
$1.08β¬0.93
67.59%
White Bread(500g)
$1.36RONΒ 6.17
$1.77β¬1.53
-23.16%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91RONΒ 8.64
$1.71β¬1.48
11.70%
Eggs
$2.96RONΒ 13.40
$3.15β¬2.72
-6.03%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.22RONΒ 37.22
$13.68β¬11.82
-39.91%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.16RONΒ 14.32
$8.01β¬6.92
-60.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.63RONΒ 34.53
$15.52β¬13.41
-50.84%
Apples(1kg)
$1.06RONΒ 4.81
$2.29β¬1.98
-53.71%
Banana(1kg)
$1.59RONΒ 7.21
$1.64β¬1.42
-3.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.29RONΒ 5.84
$1.94β¬1.68
-33.51%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.41RONΒ 6.38
$2.51β¬2.17
-43.82%
Potato(1kg)
$0.90RONΒ 4.05
$1.79β¬1.55
-49.72%
Onion(1kg)
$0.98RONΒ 4.41
$2.01β¬1.74
-51.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.70RONΒ 3.18
$1.97β¬1.70
-64.47%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.61RONΒ 2.75
$0.84β¬0.73
-27.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.54RONΒ 25.06
$6.79β¬5.86
-18.41%
Wine(Bottle)
$3.10RONΒ 14.05
$5.67β¬4.90
-45.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.88RONΒ 4.00
$1.39β¬1.20
-36.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18RONΒ 5.33
$3.02β¬2.61
-60.93%
π Getting Around
Targu Jiu
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.70RONΒ 3.17
$2.27β¬1.96
-69.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.68RONΒ 89.1
$45.44β¬39.26
-56.69%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.71RONΒ 3.20
$4.29β¬3.71
-83.45%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.66RONΒ 2.98
$0.85β¬0.73
-22.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.11RONΒ 32.17
$18.28β¬15.79
-61.11%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.62RONΒ 7.34
$1.99β¬1.72
-18.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.8KRONΒ 130.3K
$35.0Kβ¬30.3K
-17.82%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.9KRONΒ 135.2K
$39.5Kβ¬34.2K
-24.46%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Targu Jiu
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$184RONΒ 832
$146β¬126
25.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.36RONΒ 28.77
$20.45β¬17.67
-68.90%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.25RONΒ 46.40
$38.98β¬33.68
-73.70%
π Sport & Entertainment
Targu Jiu
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.15RONΒ 191
$48.98β¬42.33
-13.94%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14RONΒ 86.6
$18.83β¬16.27
1.65%
Cinema Ticket
$9.23RONΒ 41.76
$9.52β¬8.23
-3.05%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Targu Jiu
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$671RONΒ 3,035
$608β¬525
10.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.7KRONΒ 66.6K
$16.5Kβ¬14.3K
-10.93%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Targu Jiu
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.2RONΒ 250
$104β¬89.8
-46.92%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.12RONΒ 123
$42.12β¬36.39
-35.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$57.2RONΒ 259
$92.2β¬79.7
-37.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$91.7RONΒ 415
$120β¬104
-23.57%
π Accommodation & Living
Targu Jiu
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$379RONΒ 1,715
$1,621β¬1,401
-76.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$256RONΒ 1,157
$1,268β¬1,095
-79.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$524RONΒ 2,370
$3,048β¬2,634
-82.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$431RONΒ 1,951
$2,009β¬1,736
-78.54%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,689RONΒ 12.2K
$7,663β¬6,621
-64.90%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$4,329β¬3,740
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Targu Jiu
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$544RONΒ 2,461
$1,585β¬1,369
-65.68%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.1
3.81
86.35%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Targu Jiu: June 9, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $379 in Targu Jiu and $1,621 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Lisbon pays 191% 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 $63.0 in Lisbon. Groceries flip the comparison at $169 vs $269, with Targu Jiu cheaper for home cooking.
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 Lisbon?
Targu Jiu and Lisbon differ by about 124% in total monthly costs ($1,008 vs $2,263 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, Lisbon earns 191% 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 Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $379 in Targu Jiu versus $1,621 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 $671 in Targu Jiu versus $608 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 59% 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 $1,008 in Targu Jiu versus $2,263 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 β 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 β expenses run 124% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.