Cost of Living in Zalau - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Zalau
Address: Zalau, RO

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $530 (excluding rent), and $966 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,191 (excluding rent), and $1,907 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.99 RON 35.02

$6.85 RON 30.02

$15.53 RON 68.0

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.15 RON 150

$25.04 RON 110

$56.9 RON 249

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.85 RON 25.63

$8.19 RON 35.87

Cappuccino

$2.02 RON 8.85

$1.91 RON 8.38

$3.59 RON 15.74

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 RON 8.66

$1.34 RON 5.89

$2.69 RON 11.77

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.76 RON 7.72

$1.16 RON 5.07

$2.32 RON 10.15

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.83 RON 12.37

$1.88 RON 8.25

$3.77 RON 16.50

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.71 RON 11.89

$4.53 RON 19.86

Milk (1 liter)

$1.51 RON 6.63

$1.06 RON 4.66

$2.12 RON 9.27

White Bread (500g)

$1.27 RON 5.58

$0.94 RON 4.14

$1.65 RON 7.24

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.36 RON 5.95

$0.91 RON 3.97

$1.81 RON 7.93

Eggs

$2.18 RON 9.57

$4.09 RON 17.92

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.79 RON 34.11

$5.62 RON 24.62

$17.53 RON 76.8

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.06 RON 26.54

$4.58 RON 20.06

$8.01 RON 35.06

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.87 RON 38.85

$5.77 RON 25.29

$16.16 RON 70.8

Apples (1kg)

$0.94 RON 4.11

$0.70 RON 3.09

$1.64 RON 7.20

Banana (1kg)

$1.58 RON 6.90

$1.40 RON 6.14

$1.87 RON 8.19

Oranges (1kg)

$1.57 RON 6.89

$0.90 RON 3.93

$3.82 RON 16.72

Tomato (1kg)

$2.15 RON 9.40

$1.14 RON 4.98

$3.41 RON 14.95

Potato (1kg)

$0.66 RON 2.87

$0.44 RON 1.91

$0.87 RON 3.83

Onion (1kg)

$0.68 RON 2.97

$1.13 RON 4.95

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.68 RON 2.98

$1.36 RON 5.95

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.91 RON 3.99

$0.59 RON 2.57

$1.40 RON 6.11

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.37 RON 23.52

$6.49 RON 28.41

Wine (Bottle)

$5.72 RON 25.04

$4.57 RON 20.01

$9.15 RON 40.07

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.99 RON 4.33

$0.68 RON 2.96

$1.13 RON 4.94

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.29 RON 5.64

$1.05 RON 4.62

$3.50 RON 15.32

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.96 RON 4.19

$0.72 RON 3.14

$1.20 RON 5.24

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.43 RON 85.1

$16.95 RON 74.2

$27.11 RON 119

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.95 RON 4.16

$1.43 RON 6.25

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.85 RON 3.73

$0.65 RON 2.86

$1.30 RON 5.68

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.09 RON 39.81

$6.82 RON 29.87

$10.22 RON 44.78

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.60 RON 7.02

$1.48 RON 6.50

$1.82 RON 7.97

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$28.6K RON 125.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.8K RON 117.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$141 RON 618

$69.3 RON 303

$232 RON 1,016

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$4.65 RON 20.36

$11.61 RON 50.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$6.82 RON 29.89

$18.19 RON 79.7

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.64 RON 156

$34.49 RON 151

$36.79 RON 161

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.83 RON 82.5

$11.30 RON 49.47

$20.33 RON 89.1

Cinema Ticket

$5.69 RON 24.91

$9.09 RON 39.82

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$427 RON 1,869

$343 RON 1,501

$571 RON 2,502

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,995 RON 30.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.7 RON 248

$34.00 RON 149

$124 RON 545

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.54 RON 164

$22.62 RON 99.1

$56.6 RON 248

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$63.3 RON 277

$57.6 RON 252

$115 RON 504

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$67.9 RON 297

$113 RON 495

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$385 RON 1,686

$284 RON 1,244

$457 RON 2,000

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$292 RON 1,279

$232 RON 1,014

$365 RON 1,598

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$597 RON 2,617

$468 RON 2,051

$702 RON 3,076

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$443 RON 1,939

$349 RON 1,528

$512 RON 2,242

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,742 RON 7,630

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,375 RON 6,021

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$679 RON 2,976

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 12, 2026

Zalau Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

135

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

256

Mbps

174

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Zalau - Frequently Asked Questions

Zalau, Romania offers a practical balance of cost and comfort that appeals to travelers, expats, and digital nomads who value stable living costs over flashy luxuries. The city’s pace is relaxed, local markets and casual eateries deliver solid meals at modest prices, and a growing coworking scene supports remote work without steep fees. Short-term rentals near the center or close to transit tend to be the most convenient for daily life, helping you save on transport and time. Longer stays with flexible leases can unlock better monthly rates and stability. Cost of Living in Zalau, Romania tends to favor those who plan around housing and routine. Tip: Start with a short-term rental to test neighborhoods before committing to a longer lease.

Daily life in Zalau begins with an efficient local transit system and walkable streets. For housing, you’ll find a mix of compact central flats and larger, quieter apartments on the outskirts; prices vary by neighborhood and access to amenities. Grocery shopping is convenient at week markets and supermarkets, with a range of affordable options for staples. Dining options cover inexpensive cafes to traditional eateries, while errands and coworking spots cluster around the city center. The Zalau, Romania living cost remains approachable when you balance rent with groceries and transport. Tip: Build a simple budget by tracking weekly groceries, transit, and a couple of entertainment outings.

Quality of life hinges on neighborhood fit, seasonality, and budgeting framework. For budgeting, adopt a simple method: core needs (rent, utilities, food) first, then discretionary spending. In winter, heating needs can shift monthly costs, while spring and fall highlight outdoor-friendly neighborhoods with parks and cafes. Consider choosing a central area for easy access to markets and services, or a quieter residential zone if you value evenings. Transportation is flexible: walk, bike, or rely on buses; car ownership tends to add costs. Tip: Try a month in a couple of areas before locking in a longer lease to gauge noise, access, and vibe.