Cost of Living Comparison Between Karaganda and Astana Cost of Living Comparison Between Karaganda and Astana

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $752 per month in Karaganda vs $912 in Astana, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,187 per month in Karaganda vs $1,422 in Astana, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,623 per month in Karaganda vs $1,933 in Astana, rent included.

Karaganda is about 18% cheaper than Astana, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Karaganda and Astana are more affordable than the global median – Karaganda 44% lower, Astana 32% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.53 ₸4,180

$8.10 ₸3,971

5.31%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.67 ₸14.5K

$28.85 ₸14.1K

2.84%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.97 ₸2,437

$5.76 ₸2,822

-13.72%

Cappuccino

$1.85 ₸907

$2.19 ₸1,075

-15.53%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.70 ₸343

$0.91 ₸448

-23.08%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.47 ₸228

$0.53 ₸261

-11.32%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.95 ₸467

$1.14 ₸559

-16.67%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.01 ₸1,473

$2.95 ₸1,444

2.03%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.94 ₸463

$1.01 ₸496

-6.93%

White Bread (500g)

$0.44 ₸215

$0.50 ₸247

-12.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.30 ₸638

$1.40 ₸686

-7.14%

Eggs

$1.73 ₸845

$1.79 ₸876

-3.35%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.48 ₸4,644

$9.34 ₸4,577

1.50%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.24 ₸2,079

$4.73 ₸2,320

-10.36%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.25 ₸3,555

$6.96 ₸3,410

4.17%

Apples (1kg)

$1.32 ₸646

$1.36 ₸667

-2.94%

Banana (1kg)

$1.45 ₸711

$1.87 ₸915

-22.46%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.89 ₸929

$1.92 ₸943

-1.56%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.98 ₸971

$1.97 ₸968

0.51%

Potato (1kg)

$0.56 ₸273

$0.58 ₸286

-3.45%

Onion (1kg)

$0.41 ₸200

$0.38 ₸185

7.89%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.99 ₸486

$1.02 ₸499

-2.94%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.76 ₸372

$0.75 ₸367

1.33%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.79 ₸878

$1.81 ₸885

-1.10%

Wine (Bottle)

$7.87 ₸3,857

$9.14 ₸4,479

-13.89%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.99 ₸487

$1.02 ₸501

-2.94%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.65 ₸807

$1.70 ₸831

-2.94%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.22 ₸108

$0.21 ₸103

4.76%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$11.56 ₸5,666

$14.56 ₸7,137

-20.60%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.78 ₸872

$1.79 ₸876

-0.56%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.45 ₸222

$0.71 ₸348

-36.62%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.38 ₸2,148

$4.51 ₸2,211

-2.88%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.45 ₸219

$0.47 ₸228

-4.26%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$19.0K ₸9.3M

$20.7K ₸10.2M

-8.37%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.1K ₸12.3M

$24.7K ₸12.1M

1.43%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$53.9 ₸26.4K

-0.07%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$8.04 ₸3,941

$8.00 ₸3,922

0.50%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$13.00 ₸6,372

$13.90 ₸6,810

-6.47%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$32.29 ₸15.8K

$49.83 ₸24.4K

-35.20%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.76 ₸5,764

$11.16 ₸5,467

5.38%

Cinema Ticket

$4.47 ₸2,191

$5.30 ₸2,595

-15.66%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$240 ₸117.4K

$238 ₸116.8K

0.57%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,875 ₸2.4M

$4,790 ₸2.3M

1.79%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.6 ₸27.2K

$55.8 ₸27.3K

-0.39%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.64 ₸17.5K

$34.85 ₸17.1K

2.27%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.6 ₸42.5K

$88.8 ₸43.5K

-2.44%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$83.9 ₸41.1K

$86.1 ₸42.2K

-2.57%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$333 ₸163.0K

$478 ₸234.2K

-30.39%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$210 ₸102.9K

$328 ₸160.6K

-35.94%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$569 ₸279.0K

$848 ₸415.8K

-32.90%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$400 ₸195.8K

$598 ₸292.9K

-33.14%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$977 ₸478.5K

$1,378 ₸675.4K

-29.14%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$653 ₸319.8K

$993 ₸486.5K

-34.27%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$523 ₸256.2K

$798 ₸391.2K

-34.52%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.12

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

Last update for Karaganda: May 31, 2026

Last update for Astana: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $333 in Karaganda versus $478 in Astana. 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 53% higher in Astana, 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 $30.00 in Karaganda versus $29.00 in Astana. Groceries tell a different story – $170 in Karaganda vs $178 in Astana – so Karaganda wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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

Karaganda vs Astana: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $752 in Karaganda, $912 in Astana – roughly 21% apart. Astana costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,127 per month in Karaganda and $1,367 in Astana. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Kindergarten costs $240 per month in Karaganda and $238 in Astana. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 5% more in Astana, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Karaganda, where all-in costs run around $752, than in Astana at $912. In Karaganda it covers expenses comfortably, while in Astana it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Astana has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $752 in Karaganda to $912 in Astana. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Karaganda. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Astana makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.