🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $82.4 in Abadan versus $3,149 in Ashgabat.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $104 in Abadan versus $4,892 in Ashgabat.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $126 in Abadan versus $6,636 in Ashgabat.
🌍Living in Abadan costs roughly 97% less than in Ashgabat, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Abadan is 94% below, Ashgabat is 136% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Abadan
Ashgabat
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$34.40TMT 116
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$85.5TMT 287
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$14.22TMT 47.77
-
Cappuccino
-
$7.19TMT 24.17
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.17TMT 10.67
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.94TMT 3.16
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$5.28TMT 17.74
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$14.19TMT 47.67
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Abadan
Ashgabat
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$4.85TMT 16.29
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$2.43TMT 8.18
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$7.15TMT 24.02
-
Eggs
-
$6.12TMT 20.57
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$40.33TMT 136
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$18.24TMT 61.3
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$18.50TMT 62.2
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$5.59TMT 18.77
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$9.01TMT 30.27
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$7.83TMT 26.32
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$3.62TMT 12.17
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$2.25TMT 7.57
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$1.83TMT 6.14
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.98TMT 6.65
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.14TMT 3.82
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$26.11TMT 87.7
-
Wine(Bottle)
$40.73TMT 137
$41.56TMT 140
-2.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$4.69TMT 15.75
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.80TMT 9.41
-
🚌 Getting Around
Abadan
Ashgabat
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.16TMT 0.53
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.37TMT 28.12
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$2.84TMT 9.56
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.83TMT 2.78
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$8.80TMT 29.57
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$0.45TMT 1.50
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$44.8KTMT 150.5K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$57.2KTMT 192.1K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Abadan
Ashgabat
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$569TMT 1,911
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$57.6TMT 194
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$103TMT 345
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Abadan
Ashgabat
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$195TMT 657
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$44.83TMT 151
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$14.37TMT 48.27
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Abadan
Ashgabat
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$22.96TMT 77.2
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$25.2KTMT 84.8K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Abadan
Ashgabat
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$66.5TMT 223
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$121TMT 407
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$304TMT 1,021
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$187TMT 627
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Abadan
Ashgabat
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,109TMT 3,726
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$739TMT 2,482
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,797TMT 6,038
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,578TMT 5,301
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,489TMT 11.7K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,850TMT 9,575
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Abadan
Ashgabat
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$763TMT 2,564
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
9.5
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Abadan: July 11, 2026
Last update for Ashgabat: July 12, 2026
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 Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear. The 3722% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $124 in Abadan and $4,724 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.
How do food prices compare in Abadan and in Ashgabat?
Supermarket bills run roughly 721% higher in Ashgabat. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Abadan and in Ashgabat?
All in, you'll spend $82.4 per month in Abadan versus $3,149 in Ashgabat – a 3722% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Abadan or in Ashgabat?
At $82.4 in Abadan versus $3,149 in Ashgabat, a $1,500 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 3722% less than in Ashgabat. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.