😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,334 in Ashgabat versus $2,153 in Abadan.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,091 in Ashgabat versus $3,256 in Abadan.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,848 in Ashgabat versus $4,359 in Abadan.
🌍Living in Ashgabat is roughly 55% more expensive than in Abadan, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Ashgabat143% above, Abadan57% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ashgabat
Abadan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$31.57TMT 106
$31.71TMT 106
-0.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$85.0TMT 285
$85.8TMT 288
-0.94%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.85TMT 43.06
$12.96TMT 43.42
-0.85%
Cappuccino
$6.88TMT 23.05
$6.65TMT 22.26
3.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59TMT 5.34
$1.56TMT 5.23
1.92%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82TMT 2.75
$0.87TMT 2.93
-5.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.80TMT 19.44
$5.77TMT 19.34
0.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$13.72TMT 45.96
$13.66TMT 45.75
0.44%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ashgabat
Abadan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$4.41TMT 14.77
$4.43TMT 14.83
-0.45%
White Bread(500g)
$2.09TMT 6.99
$2.09TMT 7.00
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$6.01TMT 20.14
$5.94TMT 19.91
1.18%
Eggs
$6.10TMT 20.44
$5.88TMT 19.70
3.74%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$37.39TMT 125
$37.42TMT 125
-0.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$19.96TMT 66.9
$20.26TMT 67.9
-1.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$23.41TMT 78.4
$22.90TMT 76.7
2.23%
Apples(1kg)
$4.96TMT 16.61
$4.92TMT 16.48
0.81%
Banana(1kg)
$8.53TMT 28.59
$8.44TMT 28.26
1.07%
Oranges(1kg)
$7.59TMT 25.42
$7.70TMT 25.80
-1.43%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.60TMT 12.05
$3.62TMT 12.11
-0.55%
Potato(1kg)
$2.32TMT 7.78
$2.34TMT 7.83
-0.85%
Onion(1kg)
$1.40TMT 4.69
$1.39TMT 4.67
0.72%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.59TMT 8.67
$2.64TMT 8.84
-1.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.09TMT 3.64
$1.12TMT 3.75
-2.68%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$25.76TMT 86.3
$25.80TMT 86.4
-0.16%
Wine(Bottle)
$40.58TMT 136
$41.94TMT 141
-3.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$5.11TMT 17.11
$5.14TMT 17.22
-0.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88TMT 9.65
$2.79TMT 9.35
3.23%
🚌 Getting Around
Ashgabat
Abadan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.14TMT 0.48
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.09TMT 33.80
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.76TMT 9.26
$2.93TMT 9.81
-5.80%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82TMT 2.75
$0.82TMT 2.75
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.75TMT 29.31
$8.75TMT 29.31
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.44TMT 1.49
$0.44TMT 1.48
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.6KTMT 146.1K
$44.7KTMT 149.7K
-2.41%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$58.1KTMT 194.6K
$56.7KTMT 189.9K
2.49%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ashgabat
Abadan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$577TMT 1,934
$578TMT 1,935
-0.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.5TMT 189
$55.9TMT 187
1.09%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$103TMT 344
$101TMT 337
1.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ashgabat
Abadan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$196TMT 657
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$44.21TMT 148
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.70TMT 29.14
$8.43TMT 28.26
3.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ashgabat
Abadan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$23.24TMT 77.8
$23.14TMT 77.5
0.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$24.7KTMT 82.8K
$25.0KTMT 83.8K
-1.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ashgabat
Abadan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.0TMT 184
$54.5TMT 183
0.95%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$113TMT 378
$114TMT 381
-0.90%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$362TMT 1,212
$370TMT 1,240
-2.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$193TMT 645
$191TMT 639
0.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ashgabat
Abadan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,132TMT 3,793
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$996TMT 3,337
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,279TMT 7,636
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,950TMT 6,532
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,565TMT 11.9K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,854TMT 9,559
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ashgabat
Abadan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$737TMT 2,470
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.5
9.5
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ashgabat: August 30, 2026
Last update for Abadan: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $85.0 in Ashgabat vs $86.0 in Abadan for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $666 vs $668 per month, with Ashgabat cheaper across the board.
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 Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 55% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $5,001 in Ashgabat and $3,230 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.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $23.24 in Ashgabat versus $23.14 in Abadan. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Ashgabat or in Abadan?
Dining out is cheaper in Abadan – a meal for two runs $86.0 versus $85.0 in Ashgabat. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Ashgabat or in Abadan?
At $2,153 in Abadan versus $3,334 in Ashgabat, a $2,500 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 in Abadan?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – 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 – expenses run 55% less than in Ashgabat. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.