How Romania compares across key indices
Cost of Living
40 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
67/100
Healthcare
56/100
Quality of Life
146/200
Climate
76/100
How far your money goes in Romania
Cost of Living
40
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
11
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
38
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
42
100 = NYC dining
$1,064/mo
$1,083/mo
$1,136/mo
$1,211/mo
$1,218/mo
$1,249/mo
$1,369/mo
$1,440/mo
How safe residents feel in Romania — based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
67/100
Crime Index
33/100
Lower is better
Crime Trend
44/100
Mixed perception
21 point drop from day to night
0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem
Based on 3,088 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.
Romania has 10 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,064 in Oradea to $1,491 in Cluj-Napoca. Cluj-Napoca leads on safety, scoring 77/100. Timisoara ranks highest for quality of life at 168/200.
Oradea
$1,064/mo
Cluj-Napoca
77/100
Timisoara
168/200
Timisoara
71/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oradea | $1,064 | — | — | — | — |
| Sibiu | $1,083 | — | — | — | — |
| Galati | $1,136 | — | — | — | — |
| Iasi | $1,211 | 66/100 | 141/200 | 56/100 | 61 |
| Craiova | $1,218 | 59/100 | — | — | — |
| Timisoara | $1,249 | 74/100 | 168/200 | 71/100 | 56 |
| Constanta | $1,369 | 54/100 | — | — | 67 |
| Bucharest | $1,440 | 72/100 | 135/200 | 55/100 | 75 |
| Brasov | $1,473 | 74/100 | — | — | 34 |
| Cluj-Napoca | $1,491 | 77/100 | 163/200 | 67/100 | 43 |
Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare system overview for Romania
Healthcare Index
56/100
How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality
Based on 961 survey responses
Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Romania
Pollution Index
56/100
Lower is better
0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern
Based on 1,651 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
How people get around in Romania
Average One-Way Commute
33minutes
Average
Traffic Index
123
Moderate congestion
Inefficiency
130
Time wasted in traffic
CO2 Emissions
3.6kg/trip
Based on 845 survey responses.
Common questions about living in Romania, answered with data
Romania has a cost of living index of 40 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,064 in Oradea and reach $1,491 in Cluj-Napoca.
Oradea is the most affordable city in Romania with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $1,064 for a single person including rent. Sibiu is the next most affordable at $1,083/mo.
Romania has a safety index of 67/100, making it generally safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Cluj-Napoca scores highest on safety at 77/100.
Timisoara ranks highest for quality of life in Romania, scoring 168/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $1,249/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Oradea offers the lowest monthly costs at $1,064/mo.
Romania scores 56/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it adequate by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.
Yes. Romania's cost of living is roughly 60% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 89% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
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