Cost of Living Comparison Between Ashgabat and KakaCost of Living Comparison Between Ashgabat and Kaka
Monthly Cost of Living
πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $3,178 in Ashgabat versus $82.3 in Kaka.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $4,791 in Ashgabat versus $103 in Kaka.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,405 in Ashgabat versus $123 in Kaka.
πLiving in Ashgabat is roughly 3759% more expensive than Kaka, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Ashgabat is 137% above, Kaka is 94% below.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Ashgabat
Kaka
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$34.57TMTΒ 116
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Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.5TMTΒ 284
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Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.03TMTΒ 47.15
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Cappuccino
$6.85TMTΒ 23.02
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Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28TMTΒ 11.03
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-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.94TMTΒ 3.17
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-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.17TMTΒ 17.38
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Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$14.45TMTΒ 48.56
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π Groceries & Markets
Ashgabat
Kaka
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$4.78TMTΒ 16.05
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White Bread(500g)
$2.45TMTΒ 8.25
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Rice(white)(1kg)
$7.14TMTΒ 23.99
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Eggs
$6.07TMTΒ 20.39
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Local Cheese(1kg)
$40.72TMTΒ 137
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Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$18.21TMTΒ 61.2
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Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.32TMTΒ 61.6
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Apples(1kg)
$5.58TMTΒ 18.75
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Banana(1kg)
$8.68TMTΒ 29.17
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Oranges(1kg)
$7.52TMTΒ 25.26
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Tomato(1kg)
$3.56TMTΒ 11.98
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Potato(1kg)
$2.24TMTΒ 7.52
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-
Onion(1kg)
$1.82TMTΒ 6.10
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Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97TMTΒ 6.63
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Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08TMTΒ 3.63
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Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$25.93TMTΒ 87.1
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-
Wine(Bottle)
$41.52TMTΒ 140
$41.26TMTΒ 139
0.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.62TMTΒ 15.51
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Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.85TMTΒ 9.56
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-
π Getting Around
Ashgabat
Kaka
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.14TMTΒ 0.48
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-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.58TMTΒ 28.84
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.93TMTΒ 9.85
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-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.88TMTΒ 2.95
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Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.80TMTΒ 29.57
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.42TMTΒ 1.40
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Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$44.7KTMTΒ 150.3K
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Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$57.6KTMTΒ 193.5K
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π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ashgabat
Kaka
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
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Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$103TMTΒ 347
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π Sport & Entertainment
Ashgabat
Kaka
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$192TMTΒ 645
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-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$44.56TMTΒ 150
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Cinema Ticket
$14.24TMTΒ 47.86
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π§Έ Childcare & Education
Ashgabat
Kaka
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$23.29TMTΒ 78.3
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-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$26.2KTMTΒ 87.9K
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ππ Clothing & Footwear
Ashgabat
Kaka
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.8TMTΒ 218
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-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$122TMTΒ 411
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Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$305TMTΒ 1,025
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Men's Leather Business Shoes
$187TMTΒ 629
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π Accommodation & Living
Ashgabat
Kaka
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,132TMTΒ 3,804
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-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$736TMTΒ 2,474
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-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,786TMTΒ 6,000
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-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,588TMTΒ 5,336
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Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,519TMTΒ 11.8K
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Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,912TMTΒ 9,783
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π΅ Salaries & Financials
Ashgabat
Kaka
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$742TMTΒ 2,494
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.5
0
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CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ashgabat: June 2, 2026
Last update for Kaka: 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 Kaka: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Ashgabat and Kaka?
Ashgabat and Kaka differ by about 3759% in total monthly costs ($3,178 vs $82.3 including rent). Kaka is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Ashgabat compared to Kaka?
You'd need roughly $4,766 in Ashgabat and $124 in Kaka 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 grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 705% higher in Ashgabat. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Ashgabat or Kaka?
All in, you'll spend $3,178 per month in Ashgabat versus $82.3 in Kaka β a 3759% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $82.3 in Kaka versus $3,178 in Ashgabat, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Kaka but tight or insufficient in Ashgabat. The gap between the two cities makes Kaka the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Ashgabat and Kaka?
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 Kaka safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Ashgabat and Kaka 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 Kaka?
Expats usually find Kaka gentler on the wallet β expenses run 3759% less than in Ashgabat. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.