🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,153 in Abadan versus $3,334 in Ashgabat.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,256 in Abadan versus $5,091 in Ashgabat.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,359 in Abadan versus $6,848 in Ashgabat.
🌍Living in Abadan costs roughly 35% less than in Ashgabat, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Abadan57% above, Ashgabat143% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Abadan
Ashgabat
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$31.71TMT 106
$31.57TMT 106
0.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$85.8TMT 288
$85.0TMT 285
0.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.96TMT 43.42
$12.85TMT 43.06
0.86%
Cappuccino
$6.65TMT 22.26
$6.88TMT 23.05
-3.34%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56TMT 5.23
$1.59TMT 5.34
-1.89%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87TMT 2.93
$0.82TMT 2.75
6.10%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.77TMT 19.34
$5.80TMT 19.44
-0.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$13.66TMT 45.75
$13.72TMT 45.96
-0.44%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Abadan
Ashgabat
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$4.43TMT 14.83
$4.41TMT 14.77
0.45%
White Bread(500g)
$2.09TMT 7.00
$2.09TMT 6.99
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.94TMT 19.91
$6.01TMT 20.14
-1.16%
Eggs
$5.88TMT 19.70
$6.10TMT 20.44
-3.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$37.42TMT 125
$37.39TMT 125
0.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$20.26TMT 67.9
$19.96TMT 66.9
1.50%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$22.90TMT 76.7
$23.41TMT 78.4
-2.18%
Apples(1kg)
$4.92TMT 16.48
$4.96TMT 16.61
-0.81%
Banana(1kg)
$8.44TMT 28.26
$8.53TMT 28.59
-1.06%
Oranges(1kg)
$7.70TMT 25.80
$7.59TMT 25.42
1.45%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.62TMT 12.11
$3.60TMT 12.05
0.56%
Potato(1kg)
$2.34TMT 7.83
$2.32TMT 7.78
0.86%
Onion(1kg)
$1.39TMT 4.67
$1.40TMT 4.69
-0.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.64TMT 8.84
$2.59TMT 8.67
1.93%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12TMT 3.75
$1.09TMT 3.64
2.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$25.80TMT 86.4
$25.76TMT 86.3
0.16%
Wine(Bottle)
$41.94TMT 141
$40.58TMT 136
3.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$5.14TMT 17.22
$5.11TMT 17.11
0.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.79TMT 9.35
$2.88TMT 9.65
-3.12%
🚌 Getting Around
Abadan
Ashgabat
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.14TMT 0.48
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$10.09TMT 33.80
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.93TMT 9.81
$2.76TMT 9.26
6.16%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82TMT 2.75
$0.82TMT 2.75
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.75TMT 29.31
$8.75TMT 29.31
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.44TMT 1.48
$0.44TMT 1.49
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$44.7KTMT 149.7K
$43.6KTMT 146.1K
2.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$56.7KTMT 189.9K
$58.1KTMT 194.6K
-2.43%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Abadan
Ashgabat
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$578TMT 1,935
$577TMT 1,934
0.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$55.9TMT 187
$56.5TMT 189
-1.08%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$101TMT 337
$103TMT 344
-1.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Abadan
Ashgabat
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$196TMT 657
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$44.21TMT 148
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.43TMT 28.26
$8.70TMT 29.14
-3.10%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Abadan
Ashgabat
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$23.14TMT 77.5
$23.24TMT 77.8
-0.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$25.0KTMT 83.8K
$24.7KTMT 82.8K
1.19%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Abadan
Ashgabat
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.5TMT 183
$55.0TMT 184
-0.95%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$114TMT 381
$113TMT 378
0.91%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$370TMT 1,240
$362TMT 1,212
2.26%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$191TMT 639
$193TMT 645
-0.92%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Abadan
Ashgabat
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,132TMT 3,793
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$996TMT 3,337
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,279TMT 7,636
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,950TMT 6,532
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,565TMT 11.9K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,854TMT 9,559
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Abadan
Ashgabat
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$737TMT 2,470
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.5
9.5
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Abadan: August 31, 2026
Last update for Ashgabat: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $86.0 in Abadan vs $85.0 in Ashgabat for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $668 vs $666 per month, with Ashgabat cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Abadan vs Ashgabat: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashgabat cheaper than Abadan?
Abadan is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 55% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $3,230 in Abadan and $5,001 in Ashgabat to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $23.14 in Abadan versus $23.24 in Ashgabat. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Abadan or in Ashgabat?
Dining out is cheaper in Abadan – a meal for two runs $86.0 versus $85.0 in Ashgabat. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Abadan or in Ashgabat?
At $2,153 in Abadan versus $3,334 in Ashgabat, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Abadan but tight or insufficient in Ashgabat. The gap between the two cities makes Abadan the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Abadan or in Ashgabat?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Abadan or Ashgabat?
Safety-wise, Abadan and Ashgabat are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Abadan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 55% less than in Ashgabat. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.