πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $3,178 in Ashgabat versus $82.5 in Abadan.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $4,791 in Ashgabat versus $103 in Abadan.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,405 in Ashgabat versus $123 in Abadan.
πLiving in Ashgabat is roughly 3751% more expensive than Abadan, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Ashgabat is 137% above, Abadan is 94% below.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Ashgabat
Abadan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$34.57TMTΒ 116
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.5TMTΒ 284
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.03TMTΒ 47.15
-
-
Cappuccino
$6.85TMTΒ 23.02
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28TMTΒ 11.03
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.94TMTΒ 3.17
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.17TMTΒ 17.38
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$14.45TMTΒ 48.56
-
-
π Groceries & Markets
Ashgabat
Abadan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$4.78TMTΒ 16.05
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$2.45TMTΒ 8.25
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$7.14TMTΒ 23.99
-
-
Eggs
$6.07TMTΒ 20.39
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$40.72TMTΒ 137
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$18.21TMTΒ 61.2
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.32TMTΒ 61.6
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$5.58TMTΒ 18.75
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$8.68TMTΒ 29.17
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$7.52TMTΒ 25.26
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$3.56TMTΒ 11.98
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$2.24TMTΒ 7.52
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.82TMTΒ 6.10
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97TMTΒ 6.63
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08TMTΒ 3.63
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$25.93TMTΒ 87.1
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$41.52TMTΒ 140
$42.02TMTΒ 141
-1.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.62TMTΒ 15.51
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.85TMTΒ 9.56
-
-
π Getting Around
Ashgabat
Abadan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.14TMTΒ 0.48
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.58TMTΒ 28.84
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.93TMTΒ 9.85
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.88TMTΒ 2.95
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.80TMTΒ 29.57
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.42TMTΒ 1.40
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$44.7KTMTΒ 150.3K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$57.6KTMTΒ 193.5K
-
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ashgabat
Abadan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$565TMTΒ 1,898
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.7TMTΒ 191
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$103TMTΒ 347
-
-
π Sport & Entertainment
Ashgabat
Abadan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$192TMTΒ 645
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$44.56TMTΒ 150
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.24TMTΒ 47.86
-
-
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Ashgabat
Abadan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$23.29TMTΒ 78.3
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$26.2KTMTΒ 87.9K
-
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Ashgabat
Abadan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.8TMTΒ 218
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$122TMTΒ 411
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$305TMTΒ 1,025
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$187TMTΒ 629
-
-
π Accommodation & Living
Ashgabat
Abadan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,132TMTΒ 3,804
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$736TMTΒ 2,474
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,786TMTΒ 6,000
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,588TMTΒ 5,336
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,519TMTΒ 11.8K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,912TMTΒ 9,783
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Ashgabat
Abadan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$742TMTΒ 2,494
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.5
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ashgabat: June 2, 2026
Last update for Abadan: June 1, 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
Ashgabat vs Abadan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Abadan cheaper than Ashgabat?
Abadan is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 3751% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $4,766 in Ashgabat and $124 in Abadan 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 Ashgabat and Abadan?
Supermarket bills run roughly 690% higher in Ashgabat. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Ashgabat vs Abadan?
All in, you'll spend $3,178 per month in Ashgabat versus $82.5 in Abadan β a 3751% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Ashgabat or Abadan?
At $82.5 in Abadan versus $3,178 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 Ashgabat or Abadan?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Ashgabat or Abadan?
Safety-wise, Ashgabat and Abadan 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 β expenses run 3751% less than in Ashgabat. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.