😐A single person spends $666 per month in Aktobe vs $658 in Shenyang, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,065 per month in Aktobe vs $1,080 in Shenyang, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,463 per month in Aktobe vs $1,503 in Shenyang, rent included.
😐Aktobe costs about 1% more than Shenyang, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Aktobe and Shenyang are more affordable than the global median – Aktobe50% lower, Shenyang51% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Aktobe
Shenyang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.95₸3,898
$2.85¥19.24
178.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.27₸14.3K
$20.79¥141
40.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.29₸3,083
$4.78¥32.30
31.59%
Cappuccino
$1.78₸873
$2.70¥18.23
-34.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.40₸684
$0.45¥3.05
211.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49₸240
$0.38¥2.55
28.95%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.53₸752
$0.87¥5.87
75.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18₸1,068
$2.03¥13.74
7.39%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Aktobe
Shenyang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.15₸562
$1.94¥13.09
-40.72%
White Bread(500g)
$0.27₸133
$1.89¥12.77
-85.71%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.10₸537
$0.99¥6.72
11.11%
Eggs
$1.47₸719
$1.09¥7.39
34.86%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.27₸4,053
$9.52¥64.4
-13.13%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.82₸2,363
$2.92¥19.76
65.07%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.01₸3,433
$12.09¥81.8
-42.02%
Apples(1kg)
$1.37₸670
$1.40¥9.44
-2.14%
Banana(1kg)
$1.99₸977
$1.02¥6.92
95.10%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.32₸1,137
$0.81¥5.49
186.42%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.92₸941
$1.24¥8.36
54.84%
Potato(1kg)
$0.79₸385
$0.51¥3.46
54.90%
Onion(1kg)
$0.29₸140
$0.61¥4.14
-52.46%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.75₸368
$0.41¥2.75
82.93%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63₸311
$0.63¥4.29
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.83₸896
$3.22¥21.74
-43.17%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.05₸2,473
$16.71¥113
-69.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.93₸454
$0.72¥4.86
29.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.54₸757
$0.95¥6.41
62.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Aktobe
Shenyang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.18₸86.4
$0.37¥2.47
-51.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$11.72¥79.2
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.99₸485
$1.28¥8.64
-22.66%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.03₸506
$0.28¥1.90
267.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.58₸2,244
$3.45¥23.31
32.75%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.49₸238
$1.14¥7.73
-57.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6K₸8.6M
$18.1K¥122.3K
-2.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.3K₸9.5M
$18.8K¥127.2K
2.71%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Aktobe
Shenyang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.47₸19.8K
$66.5¥450
-39.18%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.26₸5,028
$14.49¥98.0
-29.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.78₸5,281
$13.72¥92.8
-21.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Aktobe
Shenyang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$28.77₸14.1K
$20.58¥139
39.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.68₸4,745
$6.21¥41.98
55.88%
Cinema Ticket
$4.95₸2,428
$4.82¥32.62
2.70%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Aktobe
Shenyang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$212₸103.7K
$466¥3,151
-54.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,966₸2.4M
$25.0K¥169.3K
-80.16%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Aktobe
Shenyang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$33.99₸16.7K
$48.92¥331
-30.52%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.76₸14.6K
$31.25¥211
-4.77%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$90.9₸44.6K
$73.8¥499
23.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.9₸31.3K
$78.4¥530
-18.49%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Aktobe
Shenyang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$225₸110.1K
$231¥1,560
-2.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$189₸92.4K
$145¥983
29.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$348₸170.6K
$510¥3,448
-31.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$282₸138.2K
$328¥2,216
-13.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$775₸379.8K
$2,285¥15.5K
-66.08%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$487₸238.6K
$1,313¥8,880
-62.92%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Aktobe
Shenyang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$510₸249.9K
$1,089¥7,365
-53.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
18.39
5.27
248.96%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Aktobe: June 1, 2026
Last update for Shenyang: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $225 in Aktobe versus $231 in Shenyang. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 114% higher in Shenyang, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $29.00 in Aktobe versus $21.00 in Shenyang. Groceries tell a different story – $163 in Aktobe vs $200 in Shenyang – so Aktobe wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Aktobe vs Shenyang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shenyang cheaper than Aktobe?
Yes – Aktobe is pricier by about 1%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $999 per month in Aktobe and $987 in Shenyang. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Shenyang, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Aktobe vs Shenyang?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $666 in Aktobe and $658 in Shenyang. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $212 per month in Aktobe and $466 in Shenyang. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $800 enough for either Aktobe or Shenyang?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $666 in Aktobe and $658 in Shenyang, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Is Aktobe or Shenyang more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Shenyang – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Shenyang. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Aktobe makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.