Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Astana and Buenos Aires

For one person, living is cheaper in Astana: $1,102 a month against $1,685 in Buenos Aires, rent and utilities included – about $7,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Astana
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
$1,102
/mo nomad
Buenos Aires
🇦🇷 Argentina
$1,685
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Astana and in Buenos Aires

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Astana and in Buenos Aires actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,102 per month in Astana vs $1,685 in Buenos Aires, rent included.

  • Astana $1,102
  • Buenos Aires $1,685

A couple spends around $1,788 per month in Astana vs $2,742 in Buenos Aires, rent included.

  • Astana $1,788
  • Buenos Aires $2,742

A family of three spends $2,474 per month in Astana vs $3,799 in Buenos Aires, rent included.

  • Astana $2,474
  • Buenos Aires $3,799

Astana is about 35% cheaper than Buenos Aires, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Astana sits 18% below the global median, while Buenos Aires is 26% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Astana
Buenos Aires
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.89 ₸4,936
$18.73 ARS 28.4K
-41.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.77 ₸17.1K
$64.5 ARS 97.8K
-41.42%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.71 ₸3,494
$12.88 ARS 19.5K
-40.14%
Cappuccino
$2.50 ₸1,133
$3.98 ARS 6,029
-37.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11 ₸503
$2.05 ARS 3,103
-45.85%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.67 ₸302
$1.55 ARS 2,349
-56.77%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.29 ₸586
$3.84 ARS 5,830
-66.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23 ₸1,012
$4.60 ARS 6,970
-51.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Astana
Buenos Aires
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.25 ₸567
$1.44 ARS 2,181
-13.19%
White Bread (500g)
$0.59 ₸268
$2.46 ARS 3,738
-76.02%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.62 ₸734
$1.63 ARS 2,467
-0.61%
Eggs
$2.22 ₸1,007
$2.89 ARS 4,385
-23.18%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.83 ₸5,363
$10.65 ARS 16.1K
11.08%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.67 ₸2,570
$10.00 ARS 15.2K
-43.30%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.25 ₸4,648
$13.74 ARS 20.8K
-25.40%
Apples (1kg)
$1.80 ₸816
$2.75 ARS 4,166
-34.55%
Banana (1kg)
$2.33 ₸1,056
$2.18 ARS 3,300
6.88%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.28 ₸1,035
$1.45 ARS 2,205
57.24%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.21 ₸1,003
$1.99 ARS 3,013
11.06%
Potato (1kg)
$0.66 ₸298
$1.24 ARS 1,885
-46.77%
Onion (1kg)
$0.42 ₸192
$1.27 ARS 1,921
-66.93%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.46 ₸662
$1.70 ARS 2,575
-14.12%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.92 ₸418
$1.73 ARS 2,617
-46.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25 ₸1,020
$4.18 ARS 6,337
-46.17%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.74 ₸4,868
$5.80 ARS 8,790
85.17%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.32 ₸601
$2.09 ARS 3,163
-36.84%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37 ₸1,076
$2.77 ARS 4,198
-14.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Astana
Buenos Aires
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.23 ₸104
$0.75 ARS 1,132
-69.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$16.27 ₸7,376
$27.15 ARS 41.2K
-40.07%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.15 ₸973
$1.62 ARS 2,451
32.72%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.11 ₸502
$0.98 ARS 1,481
13.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.41 ₸2,904
$7.72 ARS 11.7K
-16.97%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.62 ₸280
$1.36 ARS 2,058
-54.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.1K ₸10.9M
$28.0K ARS 42.5M
-13.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.2K ₸13.7M
$34.5K ARS 52.4M
-12.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Astana
Buenos Aires
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$65.7 ₸29.8K
$216 ARS 326.9K
-69.52%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.81 ₸4,447
$25.61 ARS 38.8K
-61.69%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.72 ₸8,036
$31.36 ARS 47.6K
-43.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Astana
Buenos Aires
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$56.6 ₸25.7K
$49.82 ARS 75.6K
13.59%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.12 ₸9,123
$17.06 ARS 25.9K
17.94%
Cinema Ticket
$6.46 ₸2,927
$10.43 ARS 15.8K
-38.06%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Astana
Buenos Aires
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$365 ₸165.3K
$466 ARS 706.7K
-21.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.6K ₸5.3M
$9,057 ARS 13.7M
28.19%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Astana
Buenos Aires
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.6 ₸28.8K
$122 ARS 185.2K
-47.93%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.04 ₸20.9K
$97.4 ARS 147.8K
-52.75%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$117 ₸53.1K
$117 ARS 177.4K
0.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$125 ₸56.7K
$140 ARS 211.9K
-10.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Astana
Buenos Aires
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$561 ₸254.2K
$763 ARS 1.2M
-26.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$379 ₸171.9K
$505 ARS 766.1K
-24.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,103 ₸500.3K
$1,598 ARS 2.4M
-30.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$767 ₸347.9K
$1,185 ARS 1.8M
-35.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,553 ₸704.3K
$2,678 ARS 4.1M
-42.00%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,117 ₸506.6K
$1,858 ARS 2.8M
-39.87%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Astana
Buenos Aires
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$876 ₸397.4K
$954 ARS 1.4M
-8.17%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
15.5
57.25
-72.93%

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

Last update for Astana: October 3, 2026

Last update for Buenos Aires: October 6, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Astana
$379
Buenos Aires
$505 33.3% $126
Groceries & Markets
Astana
$224
Buenos Aires
$284 26.8% $60
Eating Out
Astana
$158
Buenos Aires
$279 76.3% $121
Clothing & Footwear
Astana
$158
Buenos Aires
$214 35.4% $56
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Astana
$93
Buenos Aires
$273 192% $179
Sport & Entertainment
Astana
$70
Buenos Aires
$71 1.7% $1.2
Getting Around
Astana
$25
Buenos Aires
$37 47.3% $12

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $561 in Astana versus $763 in Buenos Aires. 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 9% higher in Buenos Aires, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Astana versus $64.0 in Buenos Aires. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $224 vs $284 – making Astana the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇰🇿 Astana
🇦🇷 Buenos Aires
🕒 Local time
09:29 9:29 AM
00:29 12:29 AM
9 h behind Astana
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
814,400 Capital
2,891,082 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

ARS, USD, EUR to KZT – Kazakhstani Tenge Converter

Kazakhstani Tenge exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 453 KZT (1,000 KZT = 2.21 USD). 1 EUR = 509 KZT (1,000 KZT = 1.97 EUR).

Argentine Peso exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 1,517 ARS (10,000 ARS = 6.59 USD). 1 EUR = 1,701 ARS (10,000 ARS = 5.88 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Astana Buenos Aires 15,640 km ≈ 20 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Astana
  • Buenos Aires

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
Astana vs Buenos Aires: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Astana and in Buenos Aires compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,102 in Astana, $1,685 in Buenos Aires – roughly 53% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in Astana compared to Buenos Aires?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,653 per month in Astana and $2,528 in Buenos Aires. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Astana and Buenos Aires?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Astana, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Astana and Buenos Aires?
Kindergarten costs $365 per month in Astana and $466 in Buenos Aires. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 27% more in Buenos Aires, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Astana, where all-in costs run around $1,102, than in Buenos Aires at $1,685. In Astana it covers expenses comfortably, while in Buenos Aires it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Astana and Buenos Aires?
It depends on your priorities. Buenos Aires has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,102 in Astana to $1,685 in Buenos Aires. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Astana or Buenos Aires safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Astana and Buenos Aires?
If budget matters most, go with Astana. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Buenos Aires makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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