Cost of Living in Kazakhstan

If you've ever considered moving to Kazakhstan, one of the first questions that likely crossed your mind is, "What is the cost of living in Kazakhstan?" After all, it's essential to have a clear picture of your potential expenses before making such a life-changing decision. At this page, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in Kazakhstan and whether the reported $987 per month figure aligns with the average monthly salary of $409.68.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Kazakhstan
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

6.23 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

24.94 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

4.16 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

1.04 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

1.66 $

Cappuccino (regular)

1.57 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

0.56 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

0.35 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

0.8 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

0.3 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

0.82 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

1.16 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

6.31 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

3.4 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

6.01 $

Apples (1 lb)

1.13 $

Banana (1 lb)

1.4 $

Oranges (1 lb)

1.52 $

Tomato (1 lb)

1.45 $

Potato (1 lb)

0.47 $

Onion (1 lb)

0.35 $

Lettuce (1 head)

0.8 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

0.44 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

5.2 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

0.68 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

1.32 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

1.25 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

0.19 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

13.51 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

1.04 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

0.34 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

3.12 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

0.4 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

14546.04 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

20589.08 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

45.54 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

0.03 $

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

10.62 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

34.2 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

14.41 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

3.95 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

157.21 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

5533.52 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

66.78 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

33.51 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

68.54 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

82.14 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

322.92 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

216.23 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

603.21 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

398.31 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

934.43 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

665.36 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

409.68 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

14.2 %

Kazakhstan

How Safe Is Kazakhstan for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Kazakhstan

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Overall, it is relatively safe to go to Kazakhstan, but you should be aware of dangerous areas to avoid and stay vigilant at all times for any possible dangers.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Transportation isn't very safe in Kazakhstan. There is a risk of criminals and thieves roaming around trains, and there are, of course, unlicensed taxi drivers trying to extort money from solo travelers.Also, be wary of individuals acting as your drive at airports and then, once in the vehicle, taking you somewhere else and robbing you.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Pickpocketing exists in Kazakhstan, and carrying expensive personal belongings such as phones, laptops, jewelry, and watches can only draw unwanted attention from pickpockets and thieves. Avoid this and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

There is a variety of natural disasters that represent a threat to Kazakhstan, including earthquakes, floods, mudflows, avalanches, landslides, and landfalls, as well as flooding of the coastal areas where Kazakhstan meets the Caspian Sea. Approximately 75% of the country is exposed to a risk of different types of natural disasters.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

Mugging is an issue in Kazakhstan, it only depends on where you are. In some cities such as Taraz, Balkhash, Shymkent, Taldykorgan, Uralsk, Semey, and Ust-Kamenogorsk, it is a rare occurrence although infrequent muggings do occur, and in places like Shar, Stepnogorsk, and Temirtau there is a higher risk of getting robbed or attacked.Criminals also operate at airports by eliciting the passengers' (they already found the names of) and acting as their contact or drive. They then offer to take you to your hotel, but instead take you to a remote area and rob you.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

There is a risk of terrorists trying to carry out attacks in Kazakhstan. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. Stay informed and pay attention to any possible security-related announcements by the Kazakh authorities.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

Scams are also common in Kazakhstan and there are several that are already known, such as the "lost wallet scam", where an individual claims they've found a wallet and ask you if you want to share the money inside. Then their partner appears and claims it's their wallet and asks to see your purse or wallet to see if you've stolen something and then grabs your belongings or asks for more money.Most scams are performed by someone posing as someone else, like a police officer. Bear in mind that the real police officer will show their badges or produce them upon request.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

When it comes to women traveling alone, they shouldn't encounter any incidents if following common sense and basic precaution measures. Not going out at night is implied and recommended.

Useful Information & Tips
credit_card

Visas

Visitors planning on staying longer than 30 days in Kazakhstan need to apply for a visa. People seeking a longer period of stay may apply for 10-year Kazakhstani visas, with a maximum stay of 60 days for business and 90 days for tourism. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.

currency_exchange

Currency

Kazakhstani Tenge is the currency in Kazakhstan. Credit cards are accepted in restaurants, shops, and hotels, and you can use ATMs to collect your money. Tipping is not a custom in Kazakhstan as hotel and restaurant bills often include a service charge, but it is definitely appreciated.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

You can experience all four seasons in Kazakhstan with freezing winter, mild spring, scorching hot summer, and crispy autumn. Cold winter starts in November and lasts until the end of April. The climate of Kazakhstan (excluding south) is sharply continental with an average temperature between -4 °C and -19 °C in January and between 19 and 26°C in July. In winter temperature may decrease down to -45°C, reaching as high as 30 °C in summer.

flight_takeoff

Airports

Almaty International Airport is the largest international airport in Kazakhstan, located about 15 km northeast of Almaty.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Kazakhstan, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Comparison of the Cost Of Living in Kazakhstan with other countries

Cost of living in countries