Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Almaty and San Fernando

For one person, living is cheaper in San Fernando: $703 a month against $1,372 in Almaty, rent and utilities included – about $8,000 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Almaty
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
$1,372
/mo nomad
San Fernando
🇵🇭 Philippines
$703
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Almaty and in San Fernando

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Almaty and in San Fernando actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,372 per month in Almaty vs $703 in San Fernando, rent included.

  • Almaty $1,372
  • San Fernando $703

A couple spends around $2,142 per month in Almaty vs $1,059 in San Fernando, rent included.

  • Almaty $2,142
  • San Fernando $1,059

A family of three spends $2,913 per month in Almaty vs $1,415 in San Fernando, rent included.

  • Almaty $2,913
  • San Fernando $1,415

Almaty costs about 95% more than San Fernando, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Almaty sits 2% above the global median, while San Fernando is 48% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Almaty
San Fernando
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.16 ₸5,949
$4.01 ₱252
228.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.86 ₸20.3K
$16.71 ₱1,052
168.46%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.90 ₸4,022
$2.88 ₱181
209.03%
Cappuccino
$3.25 ₸1,469
$1.77 ₱112
83.62%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41 ₸639
$0.38 ₱23.97
271.05%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88 ₸399
$0.31 ₱19.32
183.87%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.35 ₸1,513
$0.97 ₱61.2
245.36%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.04 ₸1,827
$1.25 ₱78.5
223.20%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Almaty
San Fernando
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.69 ₸762
$1.70 ₱107
-0.59%
White Bread (500g)
$0.86 ₸390
$1.11 ₱70.1
-22.52%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.03 ₸917
$0.99 ₱62.2
105.05%
Eggs
$2.43 ₸1,100
$2.00 ₱126
21.50%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.46 ₸5,632
$4.95 ₱311
151.72%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.71 ₸3,033
$3.37 ₱212
99.11%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.85 ₸4,905
$7.79 ₱490
39.28%
Apples (1kg)
$1.80 ₸813
$2.19 ₱138
-17.81%
Banana (1kg)
$2.25 ₸1,018
$1.26 ₱79.2
78.57%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.91 ₸1,314
$2.32 ₱146
25.43%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.75 ₸1,243
$1.07 ₱67.1
157.01%
Potato (1kg)
$0.75 ₸337
$1.69 ₱106
-55.62%
Onion (1kg)
$0.55 ₸248
$1.57 ₱99.0
-64.97%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.62 ₸732
$0.62 ₱39.14
161.29%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.05 ₸474
$0.53 ₱33.09
98.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.58 ₸1,167
$2.97 ₱187
-13.13%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.15 ₸5,042
$8.92 ₱561
25.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.21 ₸547
$0.97 ₱60.8
24.74%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.44 ₸1,104
$1.30 ₱81.7
87.69%
🚌 Getting Around
Almaty
San Fernando
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.26 ₸117
$0.26 ₱16.12
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$22.03 ₸9,957
$11.02 ₱694
99.91%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.35 ₸611
$0.67 ₱41.89
101.49%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.64 ₸288
$0.23 ₱14.36
178.26%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.16 ₸5,044
$0.94 ₱59.3
1087.23%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.72 ₸324
$1.01 ₱63.8
-28.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.5K ₸10.2M
$21.3K ₱1.3M
5.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.3K ₸13.7M
$19.0K ₱1.2M
59.69%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Almaty
San Fernando
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$91.8 ₸41.5K
$141 ₱8,907
-35.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.66 ₸4,820
$17.77 ₱1,119
-40.01%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.86 ₸8,072
$23.40 ₱1,473
-23.68%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Almaty
San Fernando
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$70.3 ₸31.8K
$32.05 ₱2,018
119.44%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.60 ₸12.5K
$4.68 ₱295
489.74%
Cinema Ticket
$6.78 ₸3,064
$4.82 ₱303
40.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Almaty
San Fernando
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$449 ₸202.9K
$80.0 ₱5,033
461.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.1K ₸5.5M
$1,118 ₱70.4K
982.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Almaty
San Fernando
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.9 ₸40.7K
$19.46 ₱1,225
362.18%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.02 ₸21.3K
$16.21 ₱1,021
190.07%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$142 ₸64.1K
$32.14 ₱2,023
341.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$133 ₸60.0K
$48.08 ₱3,027
176.12%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Almaty
San Fernando
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$805 ₸363.7K
$262 ₱16.5K
207.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$500 ₸225.9K
$170 ₱10.7K
193.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,429 ₸645.9K
$523 ₱32.9K
173.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$904 ₸408.8K
$356 ₱22.4K
153.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,503 ₸1.1M
$2,438 ₱153.5K
2.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,559 ₸704.7K
$994 ₱62.6K
56.89%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Almaty
San Fernando
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$870 ₸393.3K
$339 ₱21.3K
156.80%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
20.65
6
244.17%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Almaty: October 10, 2026

Last update for San Fernando: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Almaty
$500
San Fernando
$170 65.9% $330
Groceries & Markets
Almaty
$250
San Fernando
$170 31.9% $80
Eating Out
Almaty
$205
San Fernando
$72 64.8% $133
Clothing & Footwear
Almaty
$185
San Fernando
$52 71.8% $133
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Almaty
$120
San Fernando
$183 51.8% $62
Sport & Entertainment
Almaty
$84
San Fernando
$42 50.3% $42
Getting Around
Almaty
$28
San Fernando
$14 49.8% $14

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $805 in Almaty versus $262 in San Fernando. 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 157% higher in Almaty, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Almaty versus $17.00 in San Fernando. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $250 vs $170 – making San Fernando the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇰🇿 Almaty
🇵🇭 San Fernando
🕒 Local time
00:35 12:35 AM
02:35 2:35 AM
2 h ahead of Almaty
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,475,400
354,666
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

PHP, USD, EUR to KZT – Kazakhstani Tenge Converter

Kazakhstani Tenge exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 452 KZT (1,000 KZT = 2.21 USD). 1 EUR = 508 KZT (1,000 KZT = 1.97 EUR).

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 62.96 PHP (100 PHP = 1.59 USD). 1 EUR = 70.78 PHP (100 PHP = 1.41 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Almaty San Fernando 5,190 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Almaty
  • San Fernando

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 San Fernando: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Fernando cheaper than Almaty?
Yes – Almaty is pricier by about 95%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in clothing.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,058 per month in Almaty and $1,055 in San Fernando. 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 San Fernando, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Almaty or in San Fernando?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Almaty and $17.00 in San Fernando. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Almaty and in San Fernando?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,372 in Almaty and $703 in San Fernando. That's a gap of about 95%.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Almaty or in San Fernando?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in San Fernando, where all-in costs run around $703, than in Almaty at $1,372. In San Fernando it covers expenses comfortably, while in Almaty it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Almaty or San Fernando more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward San Fernando – 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 San Fernando. 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.

Almaty vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?