Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Almaty and Subotica

For one person, living is cheaper in Subotica: $1,095 a month against $1,372 in Almaty, rent and utilities included – about $3,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Almaty
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
$1,372
/mo nomad
Subotica
🇷🇸 Serbia
$1,095
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Almaty and in Subotica

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 Subotica actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,372 per month in Almaty vs $1,095 in Subotica, rent included.

  • Almaty $1,372
  • Subotica $1,095

A couple spends around $2,142 per month in Almaty vs $1,651 in Subotica, rent included.

  • Almaty $2,142
  • Subotica $1,651

A family of three spends $2,913 per month in Almaty vs $2,208 in Subotica, rent included.

  • Almaty $2,913
  • Subotica $2,208

Almaty costs about 25% more than Subotica, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Almaty sits 2% above the global median, while Subotica is 19% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Almaty
Subotica
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.16 ₸5,949
$9.37 RSD 977
40.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.86 ₸20.3K
$33.62 RSD 3,505
33.43%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.90 ₸4,022
$11.09 RSD 1,156
-19.75%
Cappuccino
$3.25 ₸1,469
$1.95 RSD 204
66.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41 ₸639
$1.90 RSD 198
-25.79%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88 ₸399
$1.71 RSD 179
-48.54%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.35 ₸1,513
$2.50 RSD 260
34.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.04 ₸1,827
$2.90 RSD 303
39.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Almaty
Subotica
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.69 ₸762
$1.34 RSD 139
26.12%
White Bread (500g)
$0.86 ₸390
$1.12 RSD 117
-23.21%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.03 ₸917
$2.03 RSD 212
-
Eggs
$2.43 ₸1,100
$3.03 RSD 316
-19.80%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.46 ₸5,632
$12.20 RSD 1,272
2.13%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.71 ₸3,033
$6.66 RSD 694
0.75%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.85 ₸4,905
$12.69 RSD 1,323
-14.50%
Apples (1kg)
$1.80 ₸813
$1.39 RSD 145
29.50%
Banana (1kg)
$2.25 ₸1,018
$1.95 RSD 204
15.38%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.91 ₸1,314
$1.42 RSD 148
104.93%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.75 ₸1,243
$2.17 RSD 226
26.73%
Potato (1kg)
$0.75 ₸337
$0.98 RSD 103
-23.47%
Onion (1kg)
$0.55 ₸248
$0.65 RSD 67.7
-15.38%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.62 ₸732
$0.58 RSD 60.8
179.31%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.05 ₸474
$0.65 RSD 68.0
61.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.58 ₸1,167
$4.12 RSD 430
-37.38%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.15 ₸5,042
$5.35 RSD 558
108.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.21 ₸547
$0.84 RSD 87.1
44.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.44 ₸1,104
$2.38 RSD 248
2.52%
🚌 Getting Around
Almaty
Subotica
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.26 ₸117
$1.11 RSD 116
-76.58%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$22.03 ₸9,957
$33.89 RSD 3,533
-35.00%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.35 ₸611
$1.95 RSD 203
-30.77%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.64 ₸288
$1.21 RSD 126
-47.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.16 ₸5,044
$11.07 RSD 1,154
0.81%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.72 ₸324
$1.83 RSD 191
-60.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.5K ₸10.2M
$29.9K RSD 3.1M
-24.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.3K ₸13.7M
$25.3K RSD 2.6M
19.63%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Almaty
Subotica
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$91.8 ₸41.5K
$168 RSD 17.5K
-45.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.66 ₸4,820
$15.69 RSD 1,636
-32.06%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.86 ₸8,072
$37.29 RSD 3,888
-52.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Almaty
Subotica
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$70.3 ₸31.8K
$33.23 RSD 3,464
111.65%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.60 ₸12.5K
$9.23 RSD 962
199.02%
Cinema Ticket
$6.78 ₸3,064
$4.87 RSD 508
39.22%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Almaty
Subotica
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$449 ₸202.9K
$233 RSD 24.3K
92.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.1K ₸5.5M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Almaty
Subotica
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.9 ₸40.7K
$43.37 RSD 4,521
107.38%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.02 ₸21.3K
$21.88 RSD 2,281
114.90%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$142 ₸64.1K
$92.7 RSD 9,660
53.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$133 ₸60.0K
$70.3 RSD 7,333
88.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Almaty
Subotica
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$805 ₸363.7K
$420 RSD 43.8K
91.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$500 ₸225.9K
$296 RSD 30.8K
69.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,429 ₸645.9K
$600 RSD 62.5K
138.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$904 ₸408.8K
$535 RSD 55.8K
69.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,503 ₸1.1M
$2,445 RSD 254.9K
2.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,559 ₸704.7K
$1,616 RSD 168.5K
-3.54%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Almaty
Subotica
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$870 ₸393.3K
$903 RSD 94.1K
-3.61%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
20.65
4.79
331.11%

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

Last update for Almaty: October 10, 2026

Last update for Subotica: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Almaty
$500
Subotica
$296 40.9% $204
Groceries & Markets
Almaty
$250
Subotica
$222 11.3% $28
Eating Out
Almaty
$205
Subotica
$164 19.8% $41
Clothing & Footwear
Almaty
$185
Subotica
$103 44.5% $82
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Almaty
$120
Subotica
$221 83.6% $101
Sport & Entertainment
Almaty
$84
Subotica
$43 48.8% $41
Getting Around
Almaty
$28
Subotica
$46 67.9% $19

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $805 in Almaty versus $420 in Subotica. 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 4% higher in Subotica, 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 $45.00 in Almaty versus $34.00 in Subotica. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $250 vs $222 – making Subotica the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇰🇿 Almaty
🇷🇸 Subotica
🕒 Local time
05:08 5:08 AM
01:08 1:08 AM
4 h behind Almaty
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,475,400
88,752
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

RSD, USD, EUR to KZT – Kazakhstani Tenge Converter

Kazakhstani Tenge exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 452 KZT (1,000 KZT = 2.21 USD). 1 EUR = 508 KZT (1,000 KZT = 1.97 EUR).

Serbian Dinar exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 104 RSD (1,000 RSD = 9.59 USD). 1 EUR = 117 RSD (1,000 RSD = 8.53 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Almaty Subotica 4,440 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Almaty
  • Subotica

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 Subotica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Subotica cheaper than Almaty?
Yes – Almaty is pricier by about 25%, 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 $1,642 in Subotica. 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 Subotica, 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 Subotica?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Almaty and $34.00 in Subotica. 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 Subotica?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,372 in Almaty and $1,095 in Subotica. That's a gap of about 25%.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Almaty or in Subotica?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Subotica, where all-in costs run around $1,095, than in Almaty at $1,372. In Subotica it covers expenses comfortably, while in Almaty it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Almaty or Subotica more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Subotica – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Almaty or Subotica?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Subotica. 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?