πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,050 in Astrakhan versus $1,290 in Saint Petersburg.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,510 in Astrakhan versus $2,017 in Saint Petersburg.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,970 in Astrakhan versus $2,745 in Saint Petersburg.
πLiving in Astrakhan costs roughly 19% less than in Saint Petersburg, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Astrakhan22% lower, Saint Petersburg4% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Astrakhan
Saint Petersburg
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.99β½796
$9.39β½680
17.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.08β½2,397
$50.1β½3,630
-33.97%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.56β½548
$5.85β½424
29.23%
Cappuccino
$1.84β½134
$2.71β½196
-32.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.92β½66.9
$1.12β½81.0
-17.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52β½37.68
$0.62β½44.61
-16.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.26β½91.0
$3.20β½232
-60.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59β½188
$3.78β½274
-31.48%
π Groceries & Markets
Astrakhan
Saint Petersburg
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.32β½95.8
$1.16β½84.4
13.79%
White Bread(500g)
$1.06β½76.5
$0.90β½65.0
17.78%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.01β½73.4
$1.57β½114
-35.67%
Eggs
$1.74β½126
$1.94β½141
-10.31%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$24.42β½1,769
$12.00β½870
103.50%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.82β½349
$5.26β½381
-8.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.72β½487
$10.78β½781
-37.66%
Apples(1kg)
$1.55β½112
$1.69β½123
-8.28%
Banana(1kg)
$1.80β½130
$1.84β½133
-2.17%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.57β½114
$1.93β½140
-18.65%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.39β½174
$3.37β½244
-29.08%
Potato(1kg)
$0.95β½68.9
$0.84β½60.8
13.10%
Onion(1kg)
$0.57β½41.09
$0.65β½47.00
-12.31%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45β½105
$1.33β½96.6
9.02%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.65β½46.83
$0.79β½57.1
-17.72%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.94β½141
$3.01β½218
-35.55%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.19β½304
$9.82β½712
-57.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.05β½76.0
$1.00β½72.6
5.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95β½141
$2.03β½147
-3.94%
π Getting Around
Astrakhan
Saint Petersburg
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.48β½35.14
$0.87β½62.8
-44.83%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$21.77β½1,577
$53.3β½3,861
-59.14%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.46β½179
$2.87β½208
-14.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33β½23.73
$0.55β½39.92
-40.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.83β½277
$7.71β½559
-50.32%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.88β½63.4
$0.79β½57.1
11.39%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.9Kβ½2.5M
$37.6Kβ½2.7M
-9.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.4Kβ½2.3M
$37.8Kβ½2.7M
-16.91%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Astrakhan
Saint Petersburg
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$103β½7,458
$134β½9,706
-23.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.36β½461
$6.81β½493
-6.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.56β½403
$7.22β½523
-22.99%
π Sport & Entertainment
Astrakhan
Saint Petersburg
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.88β½3,469
$37.57β½2,722
27.44%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.68β½1,788
$22.96β½1,664
7.49%
Cinema Ticket
$5.30β½384
$5.68β½412
-6.69%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Astrakhan
Saint Petersburg
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$115β½8,298
$404β½29.2K
-71.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,028β½509.2K
$9,691β½702.2K
-27.48%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Astrakhan
Saint Petersburg
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.8β½4,187
$101β½7,315
-42.77%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.62β½2,291
$55.0β½3,983
-42.48%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.0β½6,378
$117β½8,508
-25.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$129β½9,373
$133β½9,622
-2.58%
π Accommodation & Living
Astrakhan
Saint Petersburg
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$421β½30.5K
$804β½58.3K
-47.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$321β½23.3K
$463β½33.6K
-30.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$445β½32.2K
$1,404β½101.7K
-68.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$381β½27.6K
$887β½64.3K
-57.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,345β½97.5K
$4,923β½356.7K
-72.68%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$678β½49.1K
$3,147β½228.0K
-78.45%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Astrakhan
Saint Petersburg
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$453β½32.8K
$1,324β½95.9K
-65.81%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15.33
24.95
-38.56%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Astrakhan: June 7, 2026
Last update for Saint Petersburg: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $421 in Astrakhan and $804 in Saint Petersburg. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Saint Petersburg pays 192% 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: $33.00 in Astrakhan vs $50.0 in Saint Petersburg. Groceries flip the comparison at $224 vs $221, with Saint Petersburg cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Astrakhan vs Saint Petersburg: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Astrakhan and Saint Petersburg?
Astrakhan and Saint Petersburg differ by about 23% in total monthly costs ($1,050 vs $1,290 including rent). Astrakhan 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, Saint Petersburg earns 192% 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 Astrakhan and Saint Petersburg?
Rent for a central apartment: $421 in Astrakhan versus $804 in Saint Petersburg. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Astrakhan and Saint Petersburg?
A monthly transit pass in Astrakhan runs roughly 145% less than in Saint Petersburg. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Astrakhan and Saint Petersburg?
Childcare runs $115 in Astrakhan versus $404 in Saint Petersburg. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,050 in Astrakhan versus $1,290 in Saint Petersburg, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Astrakhan but tight or insufficient in Saint Petersburg. The gap between the two cities makes Astrakhan the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Astrakhan and Saint Petersburg?
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.
Where should expats move: Astrakhan or Saint Petersburg?
Expats usually find Astrakhan gentler on the wallet β expenses run 23% less than in Saint Petersburg. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.