Cost Of Living For a Student in Brasov 2024
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: RON
Average monthly spending for students in Brasov
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Brasov?
Students in Brasov spend around 4,700 RON per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 720 RON or as high as 31,000 RON. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Brasov
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
27,000 RON | 55,000 RON | 73,000 RON |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
Woman shoes
Men's shoes
Men suit
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
830 RON | 1,200 RON | 3,300 RON |
1-bedroom apartment
1,200 RON | 2,000 RON | 5,000 RON |
2-bedroom apartment
1,700 RON | 2,500 RON | 6,600 RON |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
170,000 RON | 250,000 RON | 500,000 RON |
1-bedroom apartment
200,000 RON | 330,000 RON | 1.2M RON |
2-bedroom apartment
330,000 RON | 990,000 RON | 2M RON |
$72,000 | $220,000 | $430,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
1,100 RON | 1,400 RON | 1,800 RON |
Double Bed
730 RON | 1,100 RON | 1,400 RON |
Single Bed
650 RON | 840 RON | 1,100 RON |
Living Room
1,200 RON | 1,600 RON | 5,500 RON |
Dining Table
550 RON | 730 RON | 1,400 RON |
Sofa or Couch
730 RON | 1,000 RON | 2,200 RON |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
730 RON | 1,100 RON | 2,200 RON |
Fridge or Freezer
650 RON | 1,000 RON | 1,400 RON |
Washing Machine
840 RON | 1,200 RON | 2,200 RON |
Stove or Cooker
780 RON | 1,000 RON | 1,400 RON |
Mobile Phone
910 RON | 1,100 RON | 1,600 RON |
Laptop or Computer
1,000 RON | 1,200 RON | 2,200 RON |
How do students spend their money in Brasov?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost20%
20% of total expenses on average (15% to 26%)
LOW | $38 170 RON |
AVERAGE | $250 1,100 RON |
HIGH | $1,600 7,500 RON |
| Per Month |
Students in Brasov typically spend from 15% to 26% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 20% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 1,100 RON with expenditure ranging from 170 RON to 7,500 RON. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
LOW | $6.3 29 RON |
AVERAGE | $41 190 RON |
HIGH | $270 1,300 RON |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Brasov ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 190 RON with 29 RON and 1,300 RON being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
LOW | $11 51 RON |
AVERAGE | $72 330 RON |
HIGH | $480 2,200 RON |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 51 RON to 2,200 RON in a month on commuting with 330 RON being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 5% or as high as 11%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost22%
22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)
LOW | $32 140 RON |
AVERAGE | $210 940 RON |
HIGH | $1,400 6,300 RON |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Brasov is 940 RON. The cost of groceries can range between 140 RON to 6,300 RON. Students spend on average about 22% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 16% and 26% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
LOW | $9.5 43 RON |
AVERAGE | $62 280 RON |
HIGH | $410 1,900 RON |
| Per Month |
Students in Brasov allocate 5% to 11% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 8%. The range of medical expenses range from 43 RON to 1,900 RON with 280 RON being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
LOW | $7.9 36 RON |
AVERAGE | $51 240 RON |
HIGH | $340 1,600 RON |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 36 RON to 1,600 RON with 240 RON being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
LOW | $30 140 RON |
AVERAGE | $200 900 RON |
HIGH | $1,300 6,000 RON |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 19% of the monthly expenditure of students with 12% and 24% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 900 RON per month with 140 RON being the minimum spent amount and 6,000 RON being the maximum.
Other Expenses17%
17% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
LOW | $24 110 RON |
AVERAGE | $150 710 RON |
HIGH | $1,000 4,700 RON |
| Per Month |
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
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Brasov
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Brasov?
Around 63% of surveyed students 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 students 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 students 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 For Students
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 students of Brasov whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes59%
No41%
Based on the survey, 41% of the students 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 student guardians and parents in Brasov 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 students 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%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Brasov
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Brasov
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
830 RON | 1,200 RON | 3,300 RON |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
1,200 RON | 2,000 RON | 5,000 RON |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
1,700 RON | 2,500 RON | 6,600 RON |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
2,000 RON | 3,300 RON | 9,000 RON |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
4,000 RON | 9,900 RON | 20,000 RON |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
3,300 RON | 5,000 RON | 14,000 RON |
House monthly rent cost
4,000 RON | 9,900 RON | 20,000 RON |
Villa monthly rent cost
5,000 RON | 12,000 RON | 20,000 RON |
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 |
1-bedroom apartment price
200,000 RON | 330,000 RON | 1.2M RON |
2-bedroom apartment price
330,000 RON | 990,000 RON | 2M RON |
$72,000 | $220,000 | $430,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
Townhouse price
1.4M RON | 3.3M RON | 12M RON |
House price
1.7M RON | 9.9M RON | 14M RON |
Villa price
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.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Brasov will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
38 | x112 monthly income | 199 |
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
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
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.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
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.
Housing Affordability Index
28% 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
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Brasov
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
Internet and cable cost
Mobile phone bill and charges
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 190 RON. The cost of internet and WiFi 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
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
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
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
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
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
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
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..
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Brasov is around 25%. This means that students 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 students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 140 RON to 6,300 RON with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.