Cost of Living Comparison Between China and Kazakhstan Cost of Living Comparison Between China and Kazakhstan

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $712 in China versus $759 in Kazakhstan.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,132 in China versus $1,192 in Kazakhstan.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,551 in China versus $1,624 in Kazakhstan.

Living in China costs about 6% less than in Kazakhstan on average.

Both countries sit below the global median: China 47% lower, Kazakhstan 43% lower.

Internal cost variation is higher in China: monthly costs span $520 to $1,209, compared to $553$1,057 in Kazakhstan. City choice carries more weight in China.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
China
Kazakhstan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.81 ¥18.99
$7.75 ₸3,766
-63.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.30 ¥158
$29.41 ₸14.3K
-20.78%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.01 ¥33.89
$6.48 ₸3,150
-22.69%
Cappuccino
$3.01 ¥20.39
$2.02 ₸983
49.01%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45 ¥3.03
$0.94 ₸455
-52.13%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 ¥1.97
$0.49 ₸238
-40.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.95 ¥6.42
$1.14 ₸552
-16.67%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 ¥13.88
$2.39 ₸1,163
-14.23%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
China
Kazakhstan
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.76 ¥11.88
$1.11 ₸539
58.56%
White Bread (500g)
$1.62 ¥10.98
$0.44 ₸214
268.18%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.95 ¥6.45
$1.40 ₸680
-32.14%
Eggs
$1.56 ¥10.56
$1.60 ₸779
-2.50%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.06 ¥88.3
$9.16 ₸4,450
42.58%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.28 ¥22.18
$4.56 ₸2,214
-28.07%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.65 ¥72.0
$7.08 ₸3,439
50.42%
Apples (1kg)
$1.78 ¥12.04
$1.29 ₸626
37.98%
Banana (1kg)
$1.24 ¥8.42
$1.87 ₸908
-33.69%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.50 ¥10.12
$1.94 ₸941
-22.68%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.15 ¥7.79
$1.98 ₸964
-41.92%
Potato (1kg)
$0.75 ¥5.07
$0.63 ₸304
19.05%
Onion (1kg)
$0.86 ¥5.81
$0.40 ₸194
115.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.62 ¥4.17
$1.11 ₸540
-44.14%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56 ¥3.81
$0.75 ₸366
-25.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.51 ¥23.77
$1.92 ₸934
82.81%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.66 ¥78.9
$7.96 ₸3,865
46.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.80 ¥5.40
$0.88 ₸427
-9.09%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66 ¥11.25
$1.77 ₸862
-6.21%
🚌 Getting Around
China
Kazakhstan
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.43 ¥2.93
$0.24 ₸117
79.17%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$20.86 ¥141
$14.73 ₸7,154
41.62%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.37 ¥9.26
$1.16 ₸563
18.10%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.35 ¥2.38
$0.66 ₸322
-46.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.63 ¥44.85
$4.68 ₸2,272
41.67%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.14 ¥7.70
$0.46 ₸222
147.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.2K ¥129.8K
$21.5K ₸10.5M
-10.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.8K ¥113.4K
$25.3K ₸12.3M
-33.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
China
Kazakhstan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$51.2 ¥346
$57.0 ₸27.7K
-10.15%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.16 ¥68.7
$8.99 ₸4,367
13.01%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.51 ¥77.9
$13.13 ₸6,378
-12.34%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
China
Kazakhstan
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$40.53 ¥274
$42.98 ₸20.9K
-5.70%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.05 ¥102
$15.14 ₸7,357
-0.59%
Cinema Ticket
$6.10 ¥41.28
$4.99 ₸2,426
22.24%
🧸 Childcare & Education
China
Kazakhstan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$402 ¥2,720
$243 ₸118.1K
65.42%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$17.7K ¥119.6K
$6,932 ₸3.4M
154.96%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
China
Kazakhstan
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.57 ¥308
$64.6 ₸31.4K
-29.50%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.26 ¥225
$42.14 ₸20.5K
-21.07%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$72.6 ¥491
$91.4 ₸44.4K
-20.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.5 ¥504
$93.8 ₸45.6K
-20.65%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
China
Kazakhstan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$429 ¥2,905
$458 ₸222.4K
-6.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$257 ¥1,740
$301 ₸146.2K
-14.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$895 ¥6,058
$888 ₸431.3K
0.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$541 ¥3,662
$572 ₸277.9K
-5.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,015 ¥33.9K
$1,399 ₸679.5K
258.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,469 ¥16.7K
$968 ₸470.4K
154.90%
💵 Salaries & Financials
China
Kazakhstan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,055 ¥7,135
$641 ₸311.3K
64.56%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.06
17.91
-77.33%

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

Last update for China: June 1, 2026

Last update for Kazakhstan: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

National rent averages: $286 in China, $333 in Kazakhstan. Capital cities: $916 in Beijing (Pekin) vs $478 in Astana.

National salary averages: $861 in China, $510 in Kazakhstan. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 16% higher in Kazakhstan.

Dining out costs 29% more in Kazakhstan.

Public transport is 350% more expensive in China.

Salaries are 69% higher in China, giving China stronger purchasing power.

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
China vs Kazakhstan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is more expensive to live in: China or Kazakhstan?
At $865 per month in China and $805 in Kazakhstan, there's a 7% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Where are groceries and transport cheaper: China or Kazakhstan?
Kazakhstan is simply cheaper day-to-day: lower food prices, cheaper commutes, smaller household bills. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
How do rents compare between China and Kazakhstan?
Rent in China beats Kazakhstan across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.
How far does $1,500 go in China vs Kazakhstan?
In Kazakhstan, $1,500 covers most cities easily. In China, it works in regional areas but falls short in the capital – you'll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
How do I choose between living in China and Kazakhstan?
It depends on what you're after. Kazakhstan wins on affordability; China may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.

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