Romania🇷🇴

At a Glance

How Romania compares across key indices

Quality of Life146Safety67Healthcare56Affordability40Climate76Clean Air56

Cost of Living

40 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

67/100

Healthcare

56/100

Quality of Life

146/200

Climate

76/100

Cost of Living

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

Monthly costs range from $1,064 in Oradea to $1,491 in Cluj-Napoca

City Costs Comparison

Oradea

Cheapest

$1,064/mo

Food$121

Sibiu

$1,083/mo

Food$125

Galati

$1,136/mo

Food$125

Iasi

$1,211/mo

Food$122

Craiova

$1,218/mo

Food$119

Timisoara

$1,249/mo

Food$145

Constanta

$1,369/mo

Food$167

Bucharest

$1,440/mo

Food$169

See all 10 cities below

Safety & Crime

Low Risk

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

Walking Safety

Daytime82
Nighttime61

21 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Corruption & bribery
High72
Property crimes
Low39
Drug-related crime
Low36
Violent crimes
Very Low23

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Things stolen from car
Low37
Being insulted or harassed
Low36
Home broken into
Low30
Being mugged or robbed
Low30
Being physically attacked
Low30
Car stolen
Very Low22
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Very Low17

Based on 3,088 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in Romania

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.

💸Most Affordable

Oradea

$1,064/mo

Safest

Cluj-Napoca

77/100

Best Quality of Life

Timisoara

168/200

Best Healthcare

Timisoara

71/100

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Oradea$1,064————
Sibiu$1,083————
Galati$1,136————
Iasi$1,21166/100141/20056/10061
Craiova$1,21859/100———
Timisoara$1,24974/100168/20071/10056
Constanta$1,36954/100——67
Bucharest$1,44072/100135/20055/10075
Brasov$1,47374/100——34
Cluj-Napoca$1,49177/100163/20067/10043

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

Healthcare system overview for Romania

Healthcare Index

56/100

Quality Breakdown

Staff Skill & Competency61/100
Accuracy & Completeness58/100
Modern Equipment57/100
Speed of Service53/100
Friendliness & Courtesy52/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist41/100
Cost Satisfaction57/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 961 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

Public
62.9%
Employer Sponsored
23.8%
Private
7.5%
None
5.8%
Healthcare56Safety67Quality of Life146
Expat InsuranceRecommended Partner

Don't skip health insurance

Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.

A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR

Environment

Moderate

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Romania

Pollution Index

56/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Drinking Water Quality62/100
Comfortable to Spend Time57/100
Green Spaces & Parks53/100
Air Quality49/100
Clean & Tidy49/100
Garbage Disposal46/100

Concerns

Noise & Light Pollution46/100
Water Pollution45/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 1,651 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

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

How People Commute

Car37.3%
Walking26.9%
Bus/Trolleybus12.3%
Train/Metro8.6%
Bicycle5.5%
Working from Home5.0%
Tram/Streetcar3.2%
Motorcycle1.2%

Based on 845 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Romania, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Romania?

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.

What is the cheapest city in Romania for expats?

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.

Is Romania safe for expats?

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.

What is the best city in Romania for expats and digital nomads?

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.

How good is healthcare in Romania?

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.

Is Romania cheaper than the United States?

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.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Romania

Expat InsuranceRecommended Partner

Don't skip health insurance

Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.

A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR

Set Up International Banking

Get a multi-currency account before you leave. Essential for managing money abroad.

Get Connected

eSIM, VPN, and reliable internet — sorted before you land.

Book Your First Accommodation

Secure at least your first week. Having a home base makes everything else easier.

Find Flights

Find the cheapest flights with flexible date search. Set alerts for price drops on your route.

Flight Deals

Freedom Abroad helps you figure out the part nobody talks about: how to actually build a life in another country. Films, tools, and data. No fluff.

Learn about our mission