Cost of Living in Sibiu, Romania

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How Much Does It Cost to Live In Sibiu?

Sibiu is a town in southern Transylvania, and relatively close to Bucharest.

Sibiu is great for a family, but not as much for students and young people.

It is a small, quiet, cozy city, with a great historic center that feels like Austria and has a few multi-national companies that offer great job opportunities.

The great upside of this city is that is quite cheap compared to other big cities in the region, so you can get a lot of spending power from 1000$ salary here.

Many people describe Sibiu as a western city, but with eastern prices.

RESTAURANTS

There are lots of nice restaurants in Sibiu, both expensive and very cheap, yet still delicious. Most of the restaurants from the city center (Big square and Small square) have very good food and the prices are acceptable. If you are into international food, there are many famous international chain restaurants, as well as delicious street food for a couple of dollars.

MARKETS

Check the traditional open markets in the city for the best food. They are open daily all around the city, and here you’ll find fresh local products, healthier than the ones in supermarkets, and usually cheaper, too. Go buy and enjoy cas and telemea (different type of cheese) on the market in Piata Cibin.

TRANSPORTATION

Sibiu is practically known as a pedestrian paradise, so you can get around it easily and efficiently. The buses that take you to nearby towns are smooth-running, very comfortable and cheap. From Cluj Napoca there are buses almost every hour. Still, in such a gorgeous city filled with pedestrian paths, try to walk as much as you can, because this is the only way can you enjoy Sibiu’s beauty that lies in its narrow streets.

UTILITIES (MONTHLY)

Average cost for all utilities (meaning sewerage, water, gas, building management, garbage, electricity, TV and internet) in an 85m2 apartment in Sibiu would be at around 100$ per month in the summer months and 250$ in the winter months. Don’t forget the speed-of-light internet in Sibiu, like in the rest of Romania. You can get 1GB/s download speed for about 8$ every month.

SPORTS & LEISURE

Being close to ski resorts and great nature and hiking trails, you’ll have plenty of chances to practice sports outside and have some fun times in the snow. If you enjoy hiking and outdoors in general, Sibiu is a great place to be. Mountains are close to you and the air is fresh – what else do you need for a great hike? However, if you like sports indoor more, a gym membership will cost you around 30$.

CLOTHING & SHOES

There aren’t too many opportunities in Sibiu for shopping, because it’s a rather quiet and uneventful city. It has a shopping street though, and some charming little stores, (not to mention second-hand stores where you can buy cute, hip stuff for half off!) where you can shop for clothing. Prices are pretty low, so you can buy quality jeans for around 37$, and running sneakers for only 60$.

RENT PER MONTH

Rents in Sibiu are actually a lot lower than in other popular Transylvania cities due to the fact that it hasn’t been hit by tourism. You can find places where you’ll pay around 200$ for a one-bedroom apartment – if it’s far from the center, while anything above 300$ means you’ll probably be located in the best part of the city. A larger apartment for the whole family, in the city center is over 470$.

Cost of Living Averages Table for Sibiu

How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Sibiu?

It’s no surprise that people in Sibiu spend most of their money on food and groceries – that’s the situation mostly anywhere in the world.

After the second biggest expense – rent – are the restaurant and transportation expenses, which are usually similar in Romanian cities.

Many people eat in restaurants every day and, as for transportation – whether the money is spent for public transport or just private car maintenance, it is another aspect of life that has to be paid.

Apparel percentages are the lowest in Sibiu, as in every other city in the world.

Average Costs Breakdown

Sibiu: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages

With low prices usually come the low wages and salaries, and this is the case in Sibiu, too.

Average monthly net salary per capita in Sibiu is around 550$, which, in some Romanian cities, is closer to minimum wage, and definitely is not enough to save up or have some fun, travel or any similar activities.

With this kind of income, it is definitely hard to lead a comfortable, quality life where you can actually save up for your future.

Minimum wage in Sibiu is around 300$ – which is pretty low.

Cost of Living by City in Sibiu