😐A single person spends $907 per month in Atyrau vs $750 in Karaganda, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,516 per month in Atyrau vs $1,184 in Karaganda, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,126 per month in Atyrau vs $1,617 in Karaganda, rent included.
😐Atyrau costs about 21% more than Karaganda, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Atyrau and Karaganda are more affordable than the global median – Atyrau32% lower, Karaganda44% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Atyrau
Karaganda
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.05₸4,255
$8.45₸3,969
7.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$31.61₸14.9K
$29.19₸13.7K
8.29%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.33₸2,974
$4.97₸2,334
27.36%
Cappuccino
$1.84₸863
$1.85₸871
-0.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.16₸547
$0.65₸304
78.46%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77₸363
$0.46₸217
67.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.51₸709
$1.01₸474
49.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81₸848
$2.96₸1,391
-38.85%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Atyrau
Karaganda
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44₸679
$1.02₸477
41.18%
White Bread(500g)
$0.41₸191
$0.46₸217
-10.87%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.54₸723
$1.24₸581
24.19%
Eggs
$1.47₸693
$1.72₸808
-14.53%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.90₸4,183
$9.63₸4,526
-7.58%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.45₸3,500
$4.26₸2,004
74.88%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.30₸3,433
$7.18₸3,375
1.67%
Apples(1kg)
$1.53₸721
$1.30₸613
17.69%
Banana(1kg)
$2.31₸1,084
$1.43₸672
61.54%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.95₸916
$1.97₸927
-1.02%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.47₸690
$1.93₸905
-23.83%
Potato(1kg)
$0.60₸280
$0.59₸278
1.69%
Onion(1kg)
$0.37₸174
$0.38₸177
-2.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.14₸538
$1.01₸475
12.87%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24₸583
$0.75₸352
65.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.11₸991
$1.74₸817
21.26%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.06₸4,258
$8.02₸3,768
12.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23₸576
$1.00₸469
23.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27₸599
$1.69₸795
-24.85%
🚌 Getting Around
Atyrau
Karaganda
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30₸141
$0.19₸88.6
57.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.83₸9,322
$11.90₸5,592
66.64%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.33₸626
$1.72₸809
-22.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.25₸118
$0.43₸201
-41.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.84₸2,746
$4.42₸2,079
32.13%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.49₸230
$0.48₸226
2.08%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$15.9K₸7.5M
$19.2K₸9.0M
-17.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.2K₸10.9M
$25.4K₸11.9M
-8.58%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Atyrau
Karaganda
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$46.65₸21.9K
$54.0₸25.4K
-13.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.51₸4,470
$8.42₸3,956
12.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.60₸5,924
$13.22₸6,212
-4.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Atyrau
Karaganda
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.2₸27.3K
$31.87₸15.0K
82.52%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$11.87₸5,577
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.44₸2,556
$4.56₸2,143
19.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Atyrau
Karaganda
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$255₸119.9K
$242₸113.8K
5.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,024₸1.4M
$4,868₸2.3M
-37.87%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Atyrau
Karaganda
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$29.62₸13.9K
$55.5₸26.1K
-46.61%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.91₸18.3K
$35.07₸16.5K
10.95%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.8₸36.1K
$89.1₸41.9K
-13.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.1₸37.2K
$86.0₸40.4K
-7.97%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Atyrau
Karaganda
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$453₸212.7K
$331₸155.7K
36.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$303₸142.4K
$210₸98.6K
44.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$969₸455.5K
$573₸269.2K
69.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$791₸371.7K
$398₸187.2K
98.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$868₸407.8K
$996₸468.3K
-12.92%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$669₸314.5K
$684₸321.4K
-2.13%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Atyrau
Karaganda
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$686₸322.3K
$533₸250.6K
28.62%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
30
16.12
86.10%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Atyrau: July 13, 2026
Last update for Karaganda: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $453 in Atyrau versus $331 in Karaganda. 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 29% higher in Atyrau, 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 $32.00 in Atyrau versus $29.00 in Karaganda. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $202 vs $171 – making Karaganda the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Atyrau vs Karaganda: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Atyrau and in Karaganda compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $907 in Atyrau, $750 in Karaganda – roughly 21% apart. Atyrau costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Atyrau compared to Karaganda?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,361 per month in Atyrau and $1,125 in Karaganda. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Atyrau and Karaganda?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Karaganda, 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 Atyrau and Karaganda?
Kindergarten costs $255 per month in Atyrau and $242 in Karaganda. 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 18% more in Atyrau, 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 Karaganda, where all-in costs run around $750, than in Atyrau at $907. In Karaganda it covers expenses comfortably, while in Atyrau it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Atyrau or Karaganda?
Families tend to lean toward Karaganda – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is Atyrau or Karaganda 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 Atyrau and Karaganda?
If budget matters most, go with Karaganda. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Atyrau makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.