πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $3,178 in Ashgabat versus $4,060 in Geneva.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $4,791 in Ashgabat versus $6,383 in Geneva.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,405 in Ashgabat versus $8,707 in Geneva.
πLiving in Ashgabat costs roughly 22% less than in Geneva, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Ashgabat137% above, Geneva203% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Ashgabat
Geneva
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$34.57TMTΒ 116
$37.68CHFΒ 29.74
-8.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.5TMTΒ 283
$150CHFΒ 118
-43.71%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.03TMTΒ 47.01
$18.64CHFΒ 14.71
-24.73%
Cappuccino
$6.85TMTΒ 22.95
$5.97CHFΒ 4.71
14.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28TMTΒ 10.99
$5.49CHFΒ 4.33
-40.26%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.94TMTΒ 3.16
$4.92CHFΒ 3.88
-80.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.17TMTΒ 17.33
$10.13CHFΒ 7.99
-48.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$14.45TMTΒ 48.42
$8.54CHFΒ 6.74
69.20%
π Groceries & Markets
Ashgabat
Geneva
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$4.78TMTΒ 16.00
$2.26CHFΒ 1.78
111.50%
White Bread(500g)
$2.45TMTΒ 8.22
$3.88CHFΒ 3.06
-36.86%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$7.14TMTΒ 23.92
$4.44CHFΒ 3.50
60.81%
Eggs
$6.07TMTΒ 20.33
$7.62CHFΒ 6.01
-20.34%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$40.72TMTΒ 136
$26.53CHFΒ 20.94
53.49%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$18.21TMTΒ 61.0
$33.26CHFΒ 26.25
-45.25%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.32TMTΒ 61.4
$52.6CHFΒ 41.49
-65.16%
Apples(1kg)
$5.58TMTΒ 18.70
$3.49CHFΒ 2.76
59.89%
Banana(1kg)
$8.68TMTΒ 29.09
$2.52CHFΒ 1.99
244.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$7.52TMTΒ 25.18
$3.07CHFΒ 2.42
144.95%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.56TMTΒ 11.94
$6.26CHFΒ 4.94
-43.13%
Potato(1kg)
$2.24TMTΒ 7.50
$2.66CHFΒ 2.10
-15.79%
Onion(1kg)
$1.82TMTΒ 6.08
$2.32CHFΒ 1.83
-21.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97TMTΒ 6.61
$2.57CHFΒ 2.03
-23.35%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08TMTΒ 3.62
$1.36CHFΒ 1.07
-20.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$25.93TMTΒ 86.9
$10.90CHFΒ 8.60
137.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$41.52TMTΒ 139
$12.84CHFΒ 10.14
223.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.62TMTΒ 15.46
$3.26CHFΒ 2.57
41.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.85TMTΒ 9.53
$3.63CHFΒ 2.87
-21.49%
π Getting Around
Ashgabat
Geneva
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.14TMTΒ 0.48
$3.60CHFΒ 2.84
-96.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.58TMTΒ 28.75
$85.5CHFΒ 67.5
-89.97%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.93TMTΒ 9.82
$7.53CHFΒ 5.95
-61.09%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.88TMTΒ 2.94
$3.64CHFΒ 2.87
-75.82%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.80TMTΒ 29.48
$65.6CHFΒ 51.7
-86.58%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.42TMTΒ 1.39
$2.23CHFΒ 1.76
-81.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$44.7KTMTΒ 149.9K
$41.0KCHFΒ 32.4K
9.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$57.6KTMTΒ 192.9K
$48.7KCHFΒ 38.5K
18.15%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ashgabat
Geneva
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$565TMTΒ 1,892
$262CHFΒ 207
115.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.7TMTΒ 190
$47.82CHFΒ 37.74
18.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$103TMTΒ 346
$63.3CHFΒ 49.92
63.48%
π Sport & Entertainment
Ashgabat
Geneva
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$192TMTΒ 643
$79.6CHFΒ 62.8
141.05%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$44.56TMTΒ 149
$35.97CHFΒ 28.39
23.88%
Cinema Ticket
$14.24TMTΒ 47.72
$24.48CHFΒ 19.32
-41.83%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Ashgabat
Geneva
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$23.29TMTΒ 78.0
$3,514CHFΒ 2,773
-99.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$26.2KTMTΒ 87.6K
$32.7KCHFΒ 25.8K
-19.96%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Ashgabat
Geneva
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.8TMTΒ 217
$138CHFΒ 109
-53.03%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$122TMTΒ 410
$81.7CHFΒ 64.5
49.78%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$305TMTΒ 1,022
$162CHFΒ 128
88.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$187TMTΒ 627
$214CHFΒ 169
-12.61%
π Accommodation & Living
Ashgabat
Geneva
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,132TMTΒ 3,793
$2,329CHFΒ 1,838
-51.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$736TMTΒ 2,467
$2,049CHFΒ 1,617
-64.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,786TMTΒ 5,982
$4,631CHFΒ 3,655
-61.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,588TMTΒ 5,320
$3,922CHFΒ 3,095
-59.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,519TMTΒ 11.8K
$23.1KCHFΒ 18.2K
-84.77%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,912TMTΒ 9,754
$16.4KCHFΒ 12.9K
-82.20%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Ashgabat
Geneva
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$742TMTΒ 2,487
$7,858CHFΒ 6,202
-90.55%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.5
2.46
286.18%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ashgabat: June 2, 2026
Last update for Geneva: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,132 in Ashgabat and $2,329 in Geneva. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Geneva pays 959% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $84.0 in Ashgabat vs $150 in Geneva for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $664 vs $678 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 Geneva: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Ashgabat and Geneva?
Ashgabat and Geneva differ by about 28% in total monthly costs ($3,178 vs $4,060 including rent). Ashgabat is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Geneva earns 959% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Ashgabat and Geneva?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,132 in Ashgabat versus $2,329 in Geneva. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Ashgabat and Geneva?
Childcare runs $23.29 in Ashgabat versus $3,514 in Geneva. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 2% higher in Geneva. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Ashgabat is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Ashgabat and Geneva?
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.
Is Ashgabat or Geneva safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Ashgabat and Geneva are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Ashgabat or Geneva?
Expats usually find Ashgabat gentler on the wallet β expenses run 28% less than in Geneva. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.