πA single person spends $759 per month in Kazakhstan vs $2,643 in United States, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,192 per month in Kazakhstan vs $3,857 in United States, rent included.
πA family of three spends $1,624 per month in Kazakhstan vs $5,070 in United States, rent included.
πKazakhstan is roughly 71% cheaper than United States on average β the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
πKazakhstan sits 43% below the global median, while United States is 97% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
πUnited States has a wider regional cost range ($1,343β$5,081) than Kazakhstan ($553β$1,057), so location matters more when choosing where to live in United States.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Kazakhstan
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.75βΈ3,766
$20.04$20.04
-61.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.41βΈ14.3K
$76.0$76.0
-61.31%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.48βΈ3,150
$11.42$11.42
-43.26%
Cappuccino
$2.02βΈ983
$5.39$5.39
-62.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.94βΈ455
$2.55$2.55
-63.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49βΈ238
$2.04$2.04
-75.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.14βΈ552
$6.14$6.14
-81.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39βΈ1,163
$7.18$7.18
-66.71%
π Groceries & Markets
Kazakhstan
United States
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.11βΈ539
$1.04$1.04
6.73%
White Bread(500g)
$0.44βΈ214
$3.65$3.65
-87.95%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.40βΈ680
$4.73$4.73
-70.40%
Eggs
$1.60βΈ779
$4.38$4.38
-63.47%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.16βΈ4,450
$12.76$12.76
-28.21%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.56βΈ2,214
$12.42$12.42
-63.29%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.08βΈ3,439
$16.41$16.41
-56.86%
Apples(1kg)
$1.29βΈ626
$5.42$5.42
-76.20%
Banana(1kg)
$1.87βΈ908
$1.65$1.65
13.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94βΈ941
$4.59$4.59
-57.73%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.98βΈ964
$4.91$4.91
-59.67%
Potato(1kg)
$0.63βΈ304
$2.92$2.92
-78.42%
Onion(1kg)
$0.40βΈ194
$3.13$3.13
-87.22%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.11βΈ540
$2.26$2.26
-50.88%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.75βΈ366
$2.30$2.30
-67.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.92βΈ934
$9.89$9.89
-80.59%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.96βΈ3,865
$15.10$15.10
-47.28%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.88βΈ427
$1.91$1.91
-53.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77βΈ862
$3.66$3.66
-51.64%
π Getting Around
Kazakhstan
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.24βΈ117
$2.48$2.48
-90.32%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.73βΈ7,154
$64.8$64.8
-77.28%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.16βΈ563
$3.84$3.84
-69.79%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.66βΈ322
$1.76$1.76
-62.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.68βΈ2,272
$30.58$30.58
-84.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.46βΈ222
$0.96$0.96
-52.08%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.5KβΈ10.5M
$30.5K$30.5K
-29.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3KβΈ12.3M
$26.4K$26.4K
-4.16%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kazakhstan
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$57.0βΈ27.7K
$204$204
-72.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.99βΈ4,367
$57.3$57.3
-84.30%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.13βΈ6,378
$71.2$71.2
-81.56%
π Sport & Entertainment
Kazakhstan
United States
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.98βΈ20.9K
$46.67$46.67
-7.91%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.14βΈ7,357
$22.12$22.12
-31.56%
Cinema Ticket
$4.99βΈ2,426
$13.84$13.84
-63.95%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Kazakhstan
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$243βΈ118.1K
$1,384$1,384
-82.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,932βΈ3.4M
$22.7K$22.7K
-69.47%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Kazakhstan
United States
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.6βΈ31.4K
$53.0$53.0
21.99%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.14βΈ20.5K
$43.17$43.17
-2.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$91.4βΈ44.4K
$90.6$90.6
0.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$93.8βΈ45.6K
$114$114
-17.90%
π Accommodation & Living
Kazakhstan
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$458βΈ222.4K
$1,766$1,766
-74.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$301βΈ146.2K
$1,459$1,459
-79.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$888βΈ431.3K
$2,832$2,832
-68.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$572βΈ277.9K
$2,411$2,411
-76.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,399βΈ679.5K
$3,287$3,287
-57.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$968βΈ470.4K
$2,650$2,650
-63.46%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Kazakhstan
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$641βΈ311.3K
$4,379$4,379
-85.36%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
17.91
6.51
175.12%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kazakhstan: June 2, 2026
Last update for United States: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π Average rent: $333 in Kazakhstan vs $1,637 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $478 in Astana and $2,591 in Washington, DC.
π°Average salary: $510 in Kazakhstan vs $4,500 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
βRent is 392% higher in United States.
βDining out costs 170% more in United States.
βPublic transport is 525% more expensive in United States.
βSalaries are 782% higher in United States, giving United States 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
Kazakhstan vs United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kazakhstan more expensive than United States?
Kazakhstan is the cheaper option β living costs run roughly 299% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Kazakhstan, contributing to the overall 299% price gap. The savings show up everywhere β from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Kazakhstan or United States?
$1,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Kazakhstan, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Kazakhstan or United States?
Kazakhstan is the budget-friendly choice for expats β lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.
Kazakhstan vs other spots: cost of living compared