Cost Of Living in Brasov 2024

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Brasov

Whether you're living in Brasov or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Brasov is 6,500 RON. Expenses can range from 920 RON at the minimum level to 43,000 RON at the highest end.

Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Brasov is 11,000 RON. Expenditure can range from 3,600 RON to 58,000 RON per month.

Families

The average cost of living for families in Brasov is 14,000 RON per month. Families spend anywhere from 5,100 RON to 94,000 RON.

Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Brasov is 4,700 RON. Students spend from 720 RON to 31,000 RON per month.

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Brasov

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.

Expense to income distribution levels

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Brasov is 78% This means that on average, people spend around 78% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 17% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.

Individual
71%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

64%

79%

Couple
75%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

67%

84%

Family
82%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

75%

92%

How do people spend their money in Brasov?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

People living in Brasov typically spend from 15% to 34% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 26% being the average. The average spend on housing is 2,800 RON with expenditure ranging from 220 RON to 28,000 RON. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Brasov ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 470 RON with 36 RON and 4,700 RON being the upper and lower limits.

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 72 RON to 9,400 RON on commuting with 940 RON being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 8% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 12%.

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Brasov is 2,300 RON. The cost of groceries can range between 180 RON to 23,000 RON. People spend on average about 27% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 19% and 33% respectively.

People in Brasov allocate 4% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 51 RON to 6,600 RON with 660 RON being the norm.

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 29 RON to 3,800 RON with 380 RON being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 3% to 9% of total expenses with an average of 5% for most residents.

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 6% of the monthly expenditure with 4% and 12% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 560 RON per month with 43 RON being the minimum spent amount and 5,600 RON being the maximum.

How much money can you save in Brasov every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.

What percentage of people in Brasov manage to save money from their income every month?

Almost 57% of the surveyed people in Brasov said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 43% said that aren't saving anything.

Percentage of people saving money by population group in Brasov

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

For most people, 10% to 29% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 18% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 3,500 RON on average with savings ranging from 270 RON to 35,000 RON.

65% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 60% of couples said the same. 55% of families confirmed their ability to save money.

How much money do people actually save in Brasov?

Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 13% to 31% of their monthly income to savings, with 22% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 2,400 RON with 270 RON and 16,000 RON being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 11% to 30% of their monthly income, with 20% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 4,000 RON with 1,300 RON and 22,000 RON being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Families

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Brasov can save anywhere between 10% to 27% of their monthly income, with 17% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 5,400 RON with 1,900 RON and 35,000 RON being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Saving Challenges in Brasov

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Brasov. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.

Around 6% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 17% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 10% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 18% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 11% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for people in Brasov

Where do people choose to put their savings?

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

• 50% for needs and financial obligations

  This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

• 30% for wants and discretionary spending

  This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

• 20% for savings and emergency fund

  This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

Affordable living in Brasov

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Brasov?

Around 63% of surveyed residents think that living in Brasov is affordable with proper budgeting while 37% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Brasov

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options54%

Few low-cost options46%

Based on the survey, 54% of the people living in Brasov have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 46% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Brasov whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes59%

No41%

Based on the survey, 41% of the people living in Brasov said that they don't have an emergency fund while 59% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in Romania

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy62%

We asked residents of Romania whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 38% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 62% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.

Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether residents of Romania have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 41% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 59% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance41%

Easily manages finances59%

Financial goals of people in Brasov

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Brasov, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.

Around 7% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 35% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 8% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 8% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 10% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 10% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Brasov

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Brasov and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in Romania is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents of Brasov about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Brasov

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Brasov

Percentage of people who are in debt

According to the survey, 29% of the people in Brasov have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 71% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.

Debt-to-income ratio in Brasov

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 27% of the people's monthly income in Brasov goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Brasov pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 13% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 12% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 14% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 14% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.

Distribution by type of debt in Brasov

12% of debtors in Brasov confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 26% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 21% of people and personal loans rose at 38%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Brasov.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.

Loan Affordability Index in Brasov

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Brasov how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Brasov

Rent Cost in Brasov

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

830 RON

1,200 RON

3,300 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$180

$270

$720

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,200 RON

2,000 RON

5,000 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$270

$430

$1,100

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,700 RON

2,500 RON

6,600 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$360

$540

$1,400

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

2,000 RON

3,300 RON

9,000 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$430

$720

$2,000

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

4,000 RON

9,900 RON

20,000 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$870

$2,200

$4,300

Townhouse monthly rent cost

3,300 RON

5,000 RON

14,000 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$720

$1,100

$3,100

House monthly rent cost

4,000 RON

9,900 RON

20,000 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$870

$2,200

$4,300

Villa monthly rent cost

5,000 RON

12,000 RON

20,000 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1,100

$2,700

$4,300

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Brasov ranges between 830 RON and 3,300 RON, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 1,200 RON to 5,000 RON. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 1,700 RON and 6,600 RON per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 2,000 RON to 9,000 RON. The average rent of a townhouse in Brasov is around 5,000 RON while house rental costs can be as high as 9,900 RON per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 5,000 RON to 20,000 RON per month.

Apartment and house prices in Brasov

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

170,000 RON

250,000 RON

500,000 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$36,000

$54,000

$110,000

1-bedroom apartment price

200,000 RON

330,000 RON

1.2M RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$43,000

$72,000

$270,000

2-bedroom apartment price

330,000 RON

990,000 RON

2M RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$72,000

$220,000

$430,000

3-bedroom apartment price

1.1M RON

1.7M RON

5M RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$240,000

$360,000

$1.1M

Townhouse price

1.4M RON

3.3M RON

12M RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$310,000

$720,000

$2.7M

House price

1.7M RON

9.9M RON

14M RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$360,000

$2.2M

$3.1M

Villa price

2M RON

11M RON

17M RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$430,000

$2.4M

$3.6M

The average price of a studio apartment in Brasov can range from 170,000 RON to 500,000 RON depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 200,000 RON to 1.2M RON. A villa can cost you 11M RON on average with prices ranging from 2M RON to 17M RON.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

Property prices in Brasov can be x112 to x199 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x112 multiples of the average monthly salary in Brasov.

Rent to income ratio

The average rent-to-income ratio in Brasov is around 30%. This means that people pay 30% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 21% to 40% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Brasov

Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Brasov

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

55 RON

390 RON

2,600 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$12

$85

$570

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

140 RON

490 RON

3,200 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$32

$110

$690

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

250 RON

720 RON

4,700 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$55

$160

$1,000

Internet and cable cost

55 RON

110 RON

150 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$12

$24

$32

Mobile phone bill and charges

44 RON

73 RON

220 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$9.6

$16

$48

The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Brasov ranges between 55 RON and 2,600 RON with average being 390 RON, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 490 RON with 140 RON and 3,200 RON being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 720 RON. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 55 RON to 150 RON with 110 RON being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 73 RON but can range between 44 RON and 220 RON depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.

Energy / Utility expense to income ratio

The average utility-to-income ratio in Brasov is around 4.7%. This means that people pay 4.7% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 1.9% to 8.5% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Brasov

Prices and cost of goods and services in Brasov

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

11 RON

22 RON

37 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2.4

$4.8

$8

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Brasov is approximatly 22 RON with meal cost ranging from 11 RON to 37 RON. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

35 RON

52 RON

100 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$7.6

$11

$23

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 35 RON and 100 RON with 52 RON being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Brasov.

Fine dining meal for one price

70 RON

100 RON

420 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$15

$23

$91

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 70 RON to 420 RON with the average cost being 100 RON for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Brasov.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

9.1 RON

15 RON

22 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2

$3.2

$4.8

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Brasov is around 15 RON. Price ranges between 9.1 RON and 22 RON depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.

Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

7.3 RON

8.8 RON

11 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.6

$1.9

$2.4

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Brasov is 8.8 RON. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 11 RON and the minimum being 7.3 RON depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

5.5 RON

7.3 RON

11 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.2

$1.6

$2.4

A dozen eggs costs around 7.3 RON on average with 5.5 RON and 11 RON being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

12 RON

16 RON

23 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2.7

$3.5

$5

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Brasov is between 12 RON and 23 RON depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 16 RON.

Pack of beef price

15 RON

22 RON

44 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$3.2

$4.8

$9.6

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 22 RON. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

5.9 RON

8.1 RON

11 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.3

$1.8

$2.5

A bag of rice in Brasov costs around 8.1 RON on average with prices rangeing between 5.9 RON and 11 RON depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

2.2 RON

2.9 RON

5.5 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.48

$0.64

$1.2

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 2.2 RON to 5.5 RON. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

3.9 RON

5.1 RON

8.4 RON

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.86

$1.1

$1.8

A bag of apples costs 5.1 RON on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Brasov is around 25%. This means that people spend 25% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 17% to 30% depending on salary and location.

Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 1,000 RON per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 150 RON and 6,900 RON depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 1,500 RON per month. That number can be get as low as 510 RON or a high as 8,100 RON. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 910 RON to 17,000 RON with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Brasov

CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Brasov

FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Brasov

StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Brasov