Skyline of Galați
Cost of Living: 75 249,432

Galați, Romania

A major port city on the Danube River, known for its shipbuilding industry, steel works, and the nearby natural beauty of the Danube Delta.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Galați is a city in Galați with a population of 249,432. A major port city on the Danube River, known for its shipbuilding industry, steel works, and the nearby natural beauty of the Danube Delta. Housing is more affordable than the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5a growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. Reported crime rates are relatively low.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 75

Below Average vs Romania Avg (100)

Housing Index 72

Affordable

Median Income lei 32,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.5%

Job market health

Galați vs Romania Average

Cost of Living
Galați: 75
Romania Avg: 100
Housing Index
Galați: 72
Romania Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Galați: 10%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 10.0%
  • Sales Tax: 19.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: lei 32,000
  • Unemployment: 4.5%
  • Population: 249,432

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 205/year
  • Summer High: 84°F
  • Winter Low: 24°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: lei70,000
  • 1BR Rent: lei300/mo

Not sure this is the right city?

Take our 2-minute quiz to discover the best cities for your lifestyle and budget.

Take the Quiz

Cost of Living

Galați's cost of living index is 75 (Romania average = 100).

CategoryGalațiNational AverageDifference
Overall75100-25.0%
Housing72100-28.0%

Data source: INS / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Pricelei70,000
Median Rent (1BR)lei300/mo
Median Rent (2BR)lei375/mo
Price per Sq Ftlei46

Data source: Imobiliare.ro / Numbeo, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

lei
%
$90,000 down
%
%
lei

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Galați:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricitylei150
Heating & Coolinglei72Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Waterlei50Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)lei40Broadband average
Garbage / Trashlei15Private service
Total Utilitieslei327Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: ANRE, Electrica, Romgaz 2025

Remote Work Score

Galați scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
75
Rent
lei300
Sunny Days
205
Tax
10%
Unemployment
4.5%
Climate
84°F / 24°F
Safety
0.8 homicides/100k
Population
249,432
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Galați has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January44°F24°F2.5"
April69°F39°F2.8"
July84°F59°F1.5"
October64°F42°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Galați faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake High Risk

Active seismic zone with significant earthquake risk.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding along Danube.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Carpathian region with landslides.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Romania experiences winter storms.

Avalanche Moderate Risk

Carpathian region with avalanches.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 10%
  • Sales Tax: 19%
  • Property Tax: ~0.1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 4.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Galați per 100,000 residents:

16.9
Violent Crime
414.5
Property Crime
0.8
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Eurostat

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Sep-Jan), Spring (Feb-Jun)
Summer Break June to September (11 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (3 weeks)
Spring Break Easter week (1 week)

Winter break is longer due to Orthodox Christmas (Jan 7).

Demographics

The population of Galați is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Hungarian
6.0%
Other
2.0%
Roma
3.0%
Romanian
89.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
30.0%
High school graduate
30.0%
Less than high school
20.0%
Some college
20.0%

Religion

Christian (Catholic/Protestant)
10.0%
Christian (Orthodox)
81.0%
Other
4.0%
Unaffiliated
5.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: National Institute of Statistics (2021)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Galați, Romania?

The cost of living index in Galați is 75, which is Lower the Romania national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Galați?

The median home price in Galați is lei70,000. The housing index is 72.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Galați is approximately lei300/mo.

Does Galați, GL have income tax?

Galați is in GL, which has an income tax rate of 10%.

What is the climate like in Galați?

Galați enjoys approximately 205 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 84°F, while winter lows can drop to around 24°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: INS / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Imobiliare.ro / Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: INS Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities ANRE, Electrica, Romgaz 2025

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.