πA single person spends $1,068 per month in Almaty vs $954 in Bloemfontein, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,679 per month in Almaty vs $1,451 in Bloemfontein, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,291 per month in Almaty vs $1,949 in Bloemfontein, rent included.
πAlmaty costs about 12% more than Bloemfontein, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
πBoth Almaty and Bloemfontein are more affordable than the global median β Almaty20% lower, Bloemfontein29% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Almaty
Bloemfontein
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.92βΈ3,660
$11.03RΒ 185
-28.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.67βΈ18.3K
$38.81RΒ 651
2.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.66βΈ3,081
$6.58RΒ 110
1.22%
Cappuccino
$2.41βΈ1,116
$1.76RΒ 29.59
36.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.95βΈ440
$1.34RΒ 22.39
-29.10%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.57βΈ264
$0.88RΒ 14.83
-35.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.41βΈ652
$2.34RΒ 39.22
-39.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.89βΈ1,334
$2.18RΒ 36.51
32.57%
π Groceries & Markets
Almaty
Bloemfontein
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.27βΈ586
$0.93RΒ 15.64
36.56%
White Bread(500g)
$0.54βΈ251
$1.02RΒ 17.03
-47.06%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.48βΈ686
$1.93RΒ 32.36
-23.32%
Eggs
$1.71βΈ793
$1.92RΒ 32.24
-10.94%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.62βΈ4,449
$6.99RΒ 117
37.63%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.46βΈ2,060
$4.83RΒ 81.0
-7.66%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.62βΈ3,526
$6.83RΒ 114
11.57%
Apples(1kg)
$1.34βΈ619
$1.67RΒ 27.97
-19.76%
Banana(1kg)
$1.90βΈ878
$1.22RΒ 20.43
55.74%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.89βΈ874
$1.47RΒ 24.71
28.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.00βΈ926
$1.28RΒ 21.54
56.25%
Potato(1kg)
$0.59βΈ272
$0.86RΒ 14.48
-31.40%
Onion(1kg)
$0.42βΈ195
$1.66RΒ 27.82
-74.70%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.30βΈ601
$1.08RΒ 18.04
20.37%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70βΈ323
$0.84RΒ 14.10
-16.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.98βΈ915
$2.53RΒ 42.51
-21.74%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.46βΈ3,912
$4.20RΒ 70.5
101.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.84βΈ386
$1.53RΒ 25.63
-45.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14βΈ989
$1.45RΒ 24.27
47.59%
π Getting Around
Almaty
Bloemfontein
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.22βΈ102
$0.77RΒ 12.92
-71.43%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$17.79βΈ8,226
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.14βΈ526
$1.10RΒ 18.46
3.64%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.67βΈ308
$0.64RΒ 10.66
4.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.59βΈ2,122
$3.97RΒ 66.6
15.62%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.49βΈ225
$1.28RΒ 21.44
-61.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.2KβΈ10.7M
$23.0KRΒ 385.9K
0.94%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.5KβΈ12.7M
$24.1KRΒ 404.5K
13.86%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Almaty
Bloemfontein
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$62.4βΈ28.8K
$74.5RΒ 1,250
-16.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.01βΈ4,166
$30.30RΒ 508
-70.26%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.41βΈ6,201
$34.80RΒ 584
-61.47%
π Sport & Entertainment
Almaty
Bloemfontein
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.68βΈ22.0K
$29.33RΒ 492
62.56%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.81βΈ10.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.12βΈ2,366
$5.69RΒ 95.3
-10.02%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Almaty
Bloemfontein
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$261βΈ120.9K
$126RΒ 2,105
108.20%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.6KβΈ5.8M
$4,319RΒ 72.4K
192.54%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Almaty
Bloemfontein
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$85.8βΈ39.7K
$56.6RΒ 949
51.56%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.05βΈ20.4K
$30.99RΒ 520
42.14%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.6βΈ45.1K
$131RΒ 2,192
-25.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120βΈ55.6K
$93.6RΒ 1,570
28.47%
π Accommodation & Living
Almaty
Bloemfontein
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$653βΈ302.1K
$297RΒ 4,975
120.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$417βΈ192.6K
$300RΒ 5,025
39.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,188βΈ549.5K
$467RΒ 7,837
154.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$753βΈ348.3K
$504RΒ 8,450
49.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,151βΈ994.3K
$767RΒ 12.9K
180.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,319βΈ609.9K
$631RΒ 10.6K
109.02%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Almaty
Bloemfontein
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$816βΈ377.2K
$1,299RΒ 21.8K
-37.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
18.39
11.47
60.33%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Almaty: April 26, 2026
Last update for Bloemfontein: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $653 in Almaty versus $297 in Bloemfontein. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 59% higher in Bloemfontein, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $40.00 in Almaty versus $39.00 in Bloemfontein. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $182 vs $168 β making Bloemfontein the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Almaty vs Bloemfontein: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bloemfontein cheaper than Almaty?
Yes β Almaty is pricier by about 12%, and the gap shows up most in Monthly Utilities & Internet. 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 $1,602 per month in Almaty and $1,430 in Bloemfontein. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Bloemfontein, 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 Almaty vs Bloemfontein?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,068 in Almaty and $954 in Bloemfontein. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $261 per month in Almaty and $126 in Bloemfontein. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Almaty or Bloemfontein?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bloemfontein, where all-in costs run around $954, than in Almaty at $1,068. In Bloemfontein it covers expenses comfortably, while in Almaty it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Almaty or Bloemfontein more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Bloemfontein β 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 Bloemfontein. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Almaty makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.