The Romanian cities that have seen the biggest increase in rental affordability in the past 5 years

Although rent prices in Romania remain stagnant, renters are still paying more than they were in 2018 in the majority of cases. But, how does this compare to the changes in average salaries across the country during this period?

A study by Online Mortgage Advisor has studied exactly this to determine in which Romanian cities rental prices have increased or decreased relative to salaries in recent years, concluding where rent has become more or less affordable for the average worker in the country. To do this, the study compared the average monthly net salary of each city with the average rental costs for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center, to calculate the change in affordability between 2018 and 2022. The conclusion is that six Romanian cities had become more affordable for rental costs, two of which at a rate amongst the fastest in Europe.

Therefore, rents in Timisoara and Cluj-Napoca have become cheaper for the average worker in relative terms, as renters here are paying 13.20% and 11.45% less of their annual salary on rent respectively compared to 5 years ago.

The data ranks these two cities in the top 10 European cities for change in rental affordability, placing 8th and 10th on the ranking.

In the capital Bucharest, rents have also become around 9% cheaper compared to 2018 compared to changes in average wages.

To calculate the difference in rental affordability between 2018 and 2022, Online Mortgage Advisor has analysed the average net salary in various Romanian cities along with the average rental costs for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center. The result is the percentage change in salary that must be spent on rent.

• Five years ago, renters in Timisoara were paying 60.57% of their salary on rent, whereas by the end of 2022 this had decreased to 47.38%, meaning rents became 13.20% more affordable for the average worker.
• On the other end of the spectrum, renters in Oradea have to fork out 13.42% more of their average salary on rent compared to 2018.
• In the capital Bucharest, rents have also become around 9% cheaper compared to 2018.

Two Romanian cities became more affordable for rent at a rate amongst the fastest in all of Europe

We also studied the changes in rental affordability in cities across Europe, and around the world. From this, we compiled a European ranking of cities which saw the largest decrease in percentage of salary required to pay rent.

• The Romanian city of Timisoara ranked 8th in Europe, meaning rent here became more affordable at a rate more than most other European cities surveyed.
• Cluj-Napoca also ranked in the top 10, coming in at number 10 on the list.
• Chisinau in Moldova took the top spot, with a percentage change of rental affordability of around 20%.