Cost of Living Comparison Between Kazan and Makhachkala Cost of Living Comparison Between Kazan and Makhachkala

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Kazan versus $684 in Makhachkala.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,656 in Kazan versus $1,163 in Makhachkala.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,295 in Kazan versus $1,641 in Makhachkala.

Living in Kazan is roughly 49% more expensive than in Makhachkala, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities sit below the global median: Kazan 26% lower, Makhachkala 50% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kazan
Makhachkala
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.46 ₽812
$11.61 ₽997
-18.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.38 ₽3,036
$34.70 ₽2,978
1.96%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.62 ₽482
$4.56 ₽392
23.25%
Cappuccino
$3.12 ₽268
$2.68 ₽230
16.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.22 ₽105
$0.73 ₽62.7
67.12%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49 ₽42.47
$0.32 ₽27.54
53.12%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.72 ₽148
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38 ₽204
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kazan
Makhachkala
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.06 ₽91.4
$1.32 ₽113
-19.70%
White Bread (500g)
$0.69 ₽59.2
$0.48 ₽41.40
43.75%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.40 ₽120
$1.17 ₽100
19.66%
Eggs
$1.64 ₽141
$1.58 ₽135
3.80%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.17 ₽873
$8.36 ₽717
21.65%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.40 ₽378
$6.07 ₽521
-27.51%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.51 ₽816
$7.82 ₽671
21.61%
Apples (1kg)
$1.81 ₽155
$1.21 ₽104
49.59%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 ₽140
$1.79 ₽154
-8.38%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.03 ₽174
$2.14 ₽183
-5.14%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.83 ₽243
$2.96 ₽254
-4.39%
Potato (1kg)
$0.79 ₽68.2
$0.81 ₽69.8
-2.47%
Onion (1kg)
$0.52 ₽44.82
$0.41 ₽35.33
26.83%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.54 ₽132
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.62 ₽53.3
$0.88 ₽75.5
-29.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.93 ₽252
$2.92 ₽250
0.34%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.99 ₽600
$3.50 ₽301
99.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.03 ₽88.1
$0.48 ₽41.40
114.58%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62 ₽139
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Kazan
Makhachkala
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.55 ₽47.45
$0.36 ₽30.49
52.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$23.51 ₽2,018
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.05 ₽176
$2.29 ₽197
-10.48%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.48 ₽41.00
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.85 ₽588
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.81 ₽69.6
$0.76 ₽65.4
6.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.9K ₽3.1M
$32.0K ₽2.7M
12.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.5K ₽3.6M
$28.0K ₽2.4M
51.84%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kazan
Makhachkala
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$101 ₽8,697
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.61 ₽481
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$6.61 ₽567
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kazan
Makhachkala
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$28.70 ₽2,463
$53.4 ₽4,584
-46.27%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$36.58 ₽3,140
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.86 ₽503
$4.65 ₽399
26.02%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kazan
Makhachkala
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$282 ₽24.2K
$208 ₽17.9K
35.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.5K ₽1.1M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kazan
Makhachkala
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$78.1 ₽6,705
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$90.2 ₽7,743
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$76.2 ₽6,539
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.3 ₽7,147
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kazan
Makhachkala
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$601 ₽51.6K
$380 ₽32.6K
58.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$357 ₽30.7K
$286 ₽24.5K
25.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,032 ₽88.6K
$829 ₽71.2K
24.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$703 ₽60.3K
$648 ₽55.6K
8.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,799 ₽326.0K
$1,494 ₽128.2K
154.30%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,484 ₽213.2K
$1,050 ₽90.1K
136.68%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kazan
Makhachkala
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$873 ₽75.0K
$595 ₽51.0K
46.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
20.8
18
15.56%

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

Last update for Kazan: August 29, 2026

Last update for Makhachkala: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $601 in Kazan and $380 in Makhachkala. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Kazan pays 47% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $35.00 in Kazan vs $35.00 in Makhachkala. Groceries flip the comparison at $191 vs $171, with Makhachkala 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
Kazan vs Makhachkala: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Kazan and in Makhachkala?
Kazan and Makhachkala differ by about 49% in total monthly costs ($1,017 vs $684 including rent). Makhachkala is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Kazan or Makhachkala?
Average pay runs 47% higher in Kazan, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Kazan and in Makhachkala?
Rent for a central apartment: $601 in Kazan versus $380 in Makhachkala. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 12% higher in Kazan. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Kazan or Makhachkala?
All in, you'll spend $1,017 per month in Kazan versus $684 in Makhachkala – a 49% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $684 in Makhachkala versus $1,017 in Kazan, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Makhachkala but tight or insufficient in Kazan. The gap between the two cities makes Makhachkala the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Kazan and Makhachkala?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Kazan or Makhachkala safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Kazan and Makhachkala are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Kazan or Makhachkala?
Expats usually find Makhachkala gentler on the wallet – expenses run 49% less than in Kazan. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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