🙂A single person spends $936 per month in Kostanay vs $997 in Ulan Ude, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,435 per month in Kostanay vs $1,528 in Ulan Ude, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,933 per month in Kostanay vs $2,060 in Ulan Ude, rent included.
🙂Kostanay is about 6% cheaper than Ulan Ude, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Kostanay and Ulan Ude are more affordable than the global median – Kostanay32% lower, Ulan Ude27% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kostanay
Ulan Ude
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.45₸2,484
$6.77₽586
-19.50%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.71₸13.1K
$46.14₽3,993
-37.78%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.19₸3,276
$5.99₽518
20.03%
Cappuccino
$2.13₸972
$2.95₽256
-27.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15₸522
$1.52₽132
-24.34%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83₸378
$1.18₽102
-29.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.39₸634
$2.19₽189
-36.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53₸1,151
$3.67₽317
-31.06%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kostanay
Ulan Ude
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.24₸565
$1.26₽109
-1.59%
White Bread(500g)
$0.48₸219
$0.72₽62.0
-33.33%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.03₸469
$0.84₽72.3
22.62%
Eggs
$2.20₸1,002
$1.43₽124
53.85%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.03₸4,568
$9.46₽819
6.03%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.70₸2,599
$4.87₽422
17.04%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.59₸3,913
$9.12₽789
-5.81%
Apples(1kg)
$1.58₸722
$1.29₽112
22.48%
Banana(1kg)
$2.26₸1,032
$1.37₽118
64.96%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.88₸854
$1.19₽103
57.98%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.27₸1,034
$2.07₽179
9.66%
Potato(1kg)
$0.54₸246
$0.54₽46.95
-
Onion(1kg)
$0.62₸281
$0.61₽52.5
1.64%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.19₸541
$2.18₽188
-45.41%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.92₸417
$0.66₽57.1
39.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.41₸1,097
$2.26₽196
6.64%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.05₸3,669
$6.76₽585
19.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.10₸500
$0.89₽77.1
23.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30₸1,047
$1.46₽127
57.53%
🚌 Getting Around
Kostanay
Ulan Ude
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32₸144
$0.48₽41.11
-33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$20.61₽1,784
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.94₸427
$1.21₽105
-22.31%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.06₸484
$0.22₽19.08
381.82%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.85₸2,664
$5.11₽443
14.48%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.54₸246
$0.75₽65.3
-28.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.6K₸14.0M
$33.3K₽2.9M
-7.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.1K₸13.3M
$28.4K₽2.5M
2.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kostanay
Ulan Ude
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$75.3₸34.3K
$118₽10.2K
-36.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.72₸4,883
$3.54₽306
202.82%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.65₸7,128
$7.92₽685
97.60%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kostanay
Ulan Ude
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.28₸21.1K
$22.92₽1,983
101.92%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.86₸9,048
$31.03₽2,686
-36.00%
Cinema Ticket
$4.20₸1,913
$6.84₽592
-38.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kostanay
Ulan Ude
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$207₸94.3K
$235₽20.4K
-12.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,436₸2.9M
$4,658₽403.1K
38.17%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kostanay
Ulan Ude
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$92.3₸42.0K
$68.2₽5,906
35.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.7₸24.0K
$43.24₽3,742
21.79%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$106₸48.5K
$110₽9,525
-3.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.3₸40.7K
$100₽8,691
-11.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kostanay
Ulan Ude
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$388₸176.9K
$492₽42.6K
-21.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$304₸138.4K
$369₽32.0K
-17.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$580₸264.4K
$766₽66.2K
-24.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$471₸214.8K
$579₽50.1K
-18.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,190₸541.9K
$1,881₽162.8K
-36.76%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$910₸414.6K
$1,517₽131.3K
-39.99%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kostanay
Ulan Ude
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$646₸294.5K
$828₽71.6K
-21.91%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
18.5
21.67
-14.63%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kostanay: August 31, 2026
Last update for Ulan Ude: August 29, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $388 in Kostanay versus $492 in Ulan Ude. 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 28% higher in Ulan Ude, 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 $29.00 in Kostanay versus $46.00 in Ulan Ude. Groceries tell a different story – $200 in Kostanay vs $179 in Ulan Ude – so Ulan Ude 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
Kostanay vs Ulan Ude: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kostanay or Ulan Ude?
Ulan Ude costs about 6% more than Kostanay, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Kostanay and in Ulan Ude?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,404 per month in Kostanay and $1,495 in Ulan Ude. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Kostanay or Ulan Ude?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kostanay, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Kostanay and in Ulan Ude?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $29.00 in Kostanay and $46.00 in Ulan Ude. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Kostanay or in Ulan Ude?
Interestingly, groceries are about 11% cheaper in Ulan Ude – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Kostanay or in Ulan Ude?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Kostanay, where all-in costs run around $936, than in Ulan Ude at $997. In Kostanay it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ulan Ude it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Kostanay – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Kostanay compared to Ulan Ude?
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.
Should I move to Kostanay or to Ulan Ude?
If budget matters most, go with Kostanay. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ulan Ude makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.