πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,030 in Korolyov versus $1,648 in Moscow.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,441 in Korolyov versus $2,603 in Moscow.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,852 in Korolyov versus $3,557 in Moscow.
πLiving in Korolyov costs roughly 38% less than in Moscow, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Korolyov is 23% below, Moscow is 23% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Korolyov
Moscow
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.93β½652
$12.91β½943
-30.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.26β½1,479
$56.8β½4,146
-64.33%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.31β½388
$6.28β½458
-15.45%
Cappuccino
$1.99β½145
$3.16β½231
-37.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91β½66.1
$1.38β½101
-34.06%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36β½26.59
$0.68β½49.71
-47.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.12β½301
$4.54β½331
-9.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86β½136
$4.51β½329
-58.76%
π Groceries & Markets
Korolyov
Moscow
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.13β½82.7
$1.33β½96.8
-15.04%
White Bread(500g)
$0.45β½32.59
$0.89β½64.8
-49.44%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.30β½94.8
$1.76β½129
-26.14%
Eggs
$1.60β½117
$1.85β½135
-13.51%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.07β½881
$12.90β½942
-6.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.21β½380
$5.89β½430
-11.54%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.83β½572
$12.24β½893
-36.03%
Apples(1kg)
$1.88β½137
$1.89β½138
-0.53%
Banana(1kg)
$1.62β½118
$2.11β½154
-23.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.27β½166
$2.36β½172
-3.81%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.99β½291
$4.15β½303
-3.86%
Potato(1kg)
$0.40β½29.14
$0.98β½71.6
-59.18%
Onion(1kg)
$0.81β½59.1
$0.85β½61.8
-4.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.63β½119
$1.72β½125
-5.23%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56β½40.93
$0.81β½59.3
-30.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.49β½181
$3.10β½227
-19.68%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.17β½815
$10.90β½795
2.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.08β½79.1
$1.09β½79.3
-0.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.48β½108
$2.37β½173
-37.55%
π Getting Around
Korolyov
Moscow
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.74β½54.0
$0.87β½63.7
-14.94%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.25β½1,624
$38.26β½2,793
-41.85%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.48β½181
$2.52β½184
-1.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.44β½32.46
$0.47β½34.51
-6.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.21β½600
$8.10β½591
1.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.75β½54.7
$0.81β½59.2
-7.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.9Kβ½2.8M
$38.1Kβ½2.8M
1.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.1Kβ½1.5M
$37.2Kβ½2.7M
-45.92%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Korolyov
Moscow
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$126β½9,227
$151β½11.0K
-16.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.63β½411
$7.97β½582
-29.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.10β½591
$7.99β½583
1.38%
π Sport & Entertainment
Korolyov
Moscow
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$32.27β½2,356
$46.81β½3,416
-31.06%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.22β½1,111
$34.68β½2,531
-56.11%
Cinema Ticket
$5.54β½404
$6.26β½457
-11.50%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Korolyov
Moscow
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$712β½51.9K
$707β½51.6K
0.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.6Kβ½1.1M
$14.5Kβ½1.1M
0.82%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Korolyov
Moscow
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.3β½4,183
$87.9β½6,414
-34.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.55β½1,865
$53.3β½3,892
-52.09%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$38.45β½2,806
$131β½9,527
-70.54%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$56.8β½4,147
$159β½11.6K
-64.21%
π Accommodation & Living
Korolyov
Moscow
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$466β½34.0K
$1,317β½96.1K
-64.59%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368β½26.8K
$734β½53.5K
-49.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$702β½51.2K
$3,005β½219.3K
-76.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$487β½35.6K
$1,393β½101.7K
-65.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,766β½201.9K
$11.7Kβ½856.4K
-76.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,540β½185.4K
$5,027β½366.9K
-49.48%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Korolyov
Moscow
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,114β½81.3K
$2,075β½151.5K
-46.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15
24.39
-38.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Korolyov: May 31, 2026
Last update for Moscow: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $466 in Korolyov and $1,317 in Moscow. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Moscow pays 86% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $20.00 in Korolyov vs $57.0 in Moscow for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $208 vs $247 per month, with Korolyov cheaper across the board.
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
Korolyov vs Moscow: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Korolyov or Moscow?
Korolyov wins on cost β living expenses run 60% lower than in Moscow. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Korolyov the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Korolyov or Moscow?
On paper, Moscow earns 86% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Korolyov vs Moscow?
Rent for a central apartment: $466 in Korolyov versus $1,317 in Moscow. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Korolyov vs Moscow?
A monthly transit pass in Korolyov runs roughly 72% less than in Moscow. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Korolyov and Moscow?
Childcare runs $712 in Korolyov versus $707 in Moscow. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Korolyov or Moscow?
At $1,030 in Korolyov versus $1,648 in Moscow, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Korolyov but tight or insufficient in Moscow. The gap between the two cities makes Korolyov the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Korolyov or Moscow?
Both work as nomad bases, but Korolyov delivers better value β similar infrastructure at $1,030 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Korolyov hard to pass up.
How safe is Korolyov compared to Moscow?
Safety-wise, Korolyov and Moscow are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Korolyov gentler on the wallet β expenses run 60% less than in Moscow. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.