Cost of Living in Arad, Romania

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How Much Does It Cost to Live In Arad?

Arad is the capital city of Arad County, and the third largest city in Western Romania.

Arad is a quiet city to live in, there isn`t much traffic(like other big cities) but you still got lots of things to do.

Even though the city is relatively small you still get a lot of things to do, like hiking, swimming surrounded by nature, fishing and just enjoying your surroundings.

Another plus side is that the cost of living in Arad is extremely cheap, but with gorgeous food, restaurants, beer and wine – it’s easy to overspend.

RESTAURANTS

The food in Arad, like in most Romanian cities, is amazing. Everything there is made locally and is very fresh. Most restaurants and hotels also have vegan and vegetarian options. Prices are the cheapest in Europe, and beer and wine are also very cheap. Many people say that it’s impossible to get out of Romania without gaining weight. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Arad will cost you around 6$.

MARKETS

Ah, fresh produce – the best thing about living in Romania! Most of the organic food in Arad is very cheap. You can find tasty organically-farmed fruits and vegetables in special markets in all cities throughout Romania. Groceries in supermarkets are priced like in the rest of Europe, but they are of a much higher quality. If you visit Romania during summer, trying fresh fruit from street vendors is a treat!

TRANSPORTATION

Like in most cities in Romania, public transportation in Arad is not your friend, however cheap it is, and if you need to be somewhere in time, just go on foot. This shouldn’t be a problem in Arad though, because you can get to most places just walking. Public transportation is slow and crowded (especially during peak hours), and a nerve-testing experience when it rains or snows. A one-way bus ticket is only 0.70$, though.

UTILITIES (MONTHLY)

One of the things Romania is known for is – internet. Internet speed is lightning fast in Arad too! It is also, ridiculously cheap, as are basic utilities throughout the country! However, the presence of internet and basic utilities exists to a lesser degree in rural areas than in the cities, so if you live on the outskirts of Arad, expect some blackouts or disruptions. This may be a positive experience, though, if you’re looking to distance yourself from technology!

SPORTS & LEISURE

Arad is one of those cities in Romania that boasts incredible nature so you can practice sports and enjoy every day outside. You can go for a ride with your bike in the city or go for a walk along the Mures river. Near Arad, bike races and marathons are periodically organised. Woods and bike trails are usually just 30 miles from you. If you like swimming you can go to “Ștrandul Neptun”, it`s open all summer. And if you want to go to the gym, it will cost you around 30$.

CLOTHING & SHOES

Arad has many shops and some shopping malls, with a range of Western stores and brands where you can shop for your favorite clothes and shoes. The prices are pretty low here – which you might expect from a tiny city in country located in the eastern part of Europe. You can buy quality jeans for around 30$, and running sneakers for only 60$.

RENT PER MONTH

The renting is cheap in comparison to the country’s average and you can find an apartment with 2 rooms for only 170$ a month. Rent will, however, be one of your main concerns during your stay in Romania, apart from food, of course. If you want an apartment in the center of Arad, count on paying around 300$, and for a bigger apartment (if you have a family), add another 100$ to that.

Cost of Living Averages Table for Arad

How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Arad?

As in most countries of the world, the biggest expense for the people of Arad is food and groceries – almost 40% of one’s income gets spent on food.

The second biggest expense is rent, since it’s relatively high though not as high as in more developed countries of Europe.

Transportation expenses and going to restaurants are equally as important for the people of Arad, since they spend about 15% of their salaries on each.

Utilities have a very low percentage on this pie chart of expenses, which means that Romania has low prices of electricity – good for them!

Average Costs Breakdown

Arad: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages

The wages in Arad are pretty low outside of finance and software development, although they are rapidly increasing like the economy.

Ever since Romania joined EU, the wages have been growing, but they are still on the lower side.

Their average monthly net salary is around 570$ which is enough to cover all expenses, but definitely means a bit of a struggle for someone who’s renting.

Minimum wage in Arad is around 350$, which is still not staggeringly low and allows for citizens to afford all of the basics.

Cost of Living by City in Arad