😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,237 in Timisoara versus $839 in Sfantu Gheorghe.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,867 in Timisoara versus $1,355 in Sfantu Gheorghe.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,498 in Timisoara versus $1,870 in Sfantu Gheorghe.
🌍Living in Timisoara is roughly 47% more expensive than in Sfantu Gheorghe, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Timisoara10% lower, Sfantu Gheorghe39% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Timisoara
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.18RON 50.5
$8.60RON 38.81
30.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.24RON 218
$44.65RON 202
8.04%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.10RON 41.08
$7.70RON 34.76
18.18%
Cappuccino
$3.19RON 14.39
$2.61RON 11.78
22.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16RON 9.74
$1.34RON 6.05
61.19%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68RON 7.60
$1.08RON 4.88
55.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.72RON 12.28
$2.59RON 11.71
5.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.46RON 20.13
$2.25RON 10.14
98.22%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Timisoara
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.48RON 6.66
$1.46RON 6.58
1.37%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30RON 5.87
$1.17RON 5.27
11.11%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.41RON 6.34
$1.47RON 6.64
-4.08%
Eggs
$2.97RON 13.43
$3.53RON 15.93
-15.86%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.16RON 41.36
$8.10RON 36.59
13.09%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.51RON 29.41
$4.80RON 21.69
35.63%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.78RON 53.2
$8.36RON 37.76
40.91%
Apples(1kg)
$1.27RON 5.71
$1.14RON 5.14
11.40%
Banana(1kg)
$1.58RON 7.11
$1.63RON 7.37
-3.07%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.55RON 6.99
$1.27RON 5.71
22.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47RON 11.14
$2.69RON 12.13
-8.18%
Potato(1kg)
$0.84RON 3.77
$0.70RON 3.15
20.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.03RON 4.66
$0.63RON 2.86
63.49%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.68RON 3.09
$1.08RON 4.86
-37.04%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77RON 3.50
$0.84RON 3.79
-8.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.48RON 29.27
$5.14RON 23.21
26.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.70RON 34.77
$7.67RON 34.63
0.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20RON 5.44
$0.97RON 4.40
23.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79RON 8.07
$1.10RON 4.95
62.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Timisoara
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.09RON 4.92
$0.90RON 4.07
21.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$35.43RON 160
$16.69RON 75.4
112.28%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.91RON 4.11
$1.02RON 4.61
-10.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.91RON 4.12
$0.92RON 4.17
-1.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.59RON 38.77
$8.62RON 38.92
-0.35%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.89RON 8.54
$1.63RON 7.35
15.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.2KRON 136.2K
$30.1KRON 136.0K
0.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5KRON 115.3K
$26.1KRON 117.7K
-1.98%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Timisoara
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$180RON 811
$121RON 545
48.84%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.91RON 31.20
$9.53RON 43.03
-27.49%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.78RON 39.65
$13.11RON 59.2
-33.03%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Timisoara
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.17RON 186
$42.20RON 191
-2.44%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.78RON 75.8
$21.66RON 97.8
-22.53%
Cinema Ticket
$9.04RON 40.82
$3.25RON 14.68
178.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Timisoara
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$623RON 2,814
$462RON 2,085
34.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,138RON 41.3K
$7,059RON 31.9K
29.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Timisoara
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.3RON 349
$27.74RON 125
178.62%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.17RON 190
$14.43RON 65.1
192.24%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$80.3RON 363
$41.29RON 186
94.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$93.8RON 424
$66.4RON 300
41.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Timisoara
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$571RON 2,578
$304RON 1,372
87.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$373RON 1,682
$224RON 1,011
66.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$856RON 3,866
$549RON 2,477
56.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$647RON 2,922
$408RON 1,844
58.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,646RON 11.9K
$1,934RON 8,730
36.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,930RON 8,713
$1,396RON 6,302
38.24%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Timisoara
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,222RON 5,518
$710RON 3,206
72.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.88
6.75
1.93%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Timisoara: September 5, 2026
Last update for Sfantu Gheorghe: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $571 in Timisoara and $304 in Sfantu Gheorghe. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Timisoara pays 72% 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: $48.00 in Timisoara vs $45.00 in Sfantu Gheorghe for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $217 vs $194 per month, with Sfantu Gheorghe 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
Timisoara vs Sfantu Gheorghe: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Timisoara and in Sfantu Gheorghe?
Timisoara and Sfantu Gheorghe differ by about 47% in total monthly costs ($1,237 vs $839 including rent). Sfantu Gheorghe is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Timisoara or Sfantu Gheorghe?
Average pay runs 72% higher in Timisoara, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Timisoara and in Sfantu Gheorghe?
Rent for a central apartment: $571 in Timisoara versus $304 in Sfantu Gheorghe. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Timisoara and Sfantu Gheorghe?
Childcare runs $623 in Timisoara versus $462 in Sfantu Gheorghe. 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 12% higher in Timisoara. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $839 in Sfantu Gheorghe versus $1,237 in Timisoara, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Sfantu Gheorghe but tight or insufficient in Timisoara. The gap between the two cities makes Sfantu Gheorghe the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Timisoara and Sfantu Gheorghe?
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 Timisoara or Sfantu Gheorghe safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Timisoara and Sfantu Gheorghe 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: Timisoara or Sfantu Gheorghe?
Expats usually find Sfantu Gheorghe gentler on the wallet – expenses run 47% less than in Timisoara. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.