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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $979 in Makhachkala versus $1,093 in Kazan.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,491 in Makhachkala versus $1,692 in Kazan.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,002 in Makhachkala versus $2,291 in Kazan.

Living in Makhachkala costs roughly 10% less than in Kazan, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Makhachkala 27% lower, Kazan 18% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Makhachkala
Kazan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.31 ₽1,125
$7.47 ₽548
104.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.77 ₽2,848
$38.40 ₽2,821
0.96%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.20 ₽382
$6.40 ₽470
-18.75%
Cappuccino
$3.12 ₽229
$3.06 ₽225
1.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84 ₽62.0
$1.12 ₽82.2
-25.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 ₽25.81
$0.78 ₽57.1
-55.13%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.36 ₽99.6
$3.85 ₽283
-64.68%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50 ₽184
$4.73 ₽347
-47.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Makhachkala
Kazan
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.51 ₽111
$1.08 ₽79.0
39.81%
White Bread (500g)
$0.60 ₽44.23
$0.72 ₽53.2
-16.67%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.38 ₽101
$1.46 ₽107
-5.48%
Eggs
$1.37 ₽101
$1.95 ₽143
-29.74%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$2.97 ₽218
$10.98 ₽806
-72.95%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.80 ₽353
$4.82 ₽354
-0.41%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.92 ₽361
$9.36 ₽688
-47.44%
Apples (1kg)
$1.74 ₽128
$1.94 ₽142
-10.31%
Banana (1kg)
$1.75 ₽129
$1.94 ₽142
-9.79%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.72 ₽200
$2.42 ₽178
12.40%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.89 ₽139
$2.38 ₽175
-20.59%
Potato (1kg)
$0.88 ₽64.5
$0.66 ₽48.77
33.33%
Onion (1kg)
$0.49 ₽35.84
$0.59 ₽43.43
-16.95%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.36 ₽173
$1.52 ₽112
55.26%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59 ₽43.05
$0.60 ₽44.38
-1.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.19 ₽234
$3.26 ₽240
-2.15%
Wine (Bottle)
$4.22 ₽310
$8.95 ₽657
-52.85%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.04 ₽76.4
$0.99 ₽73.1
5.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85 ₽136
$1.89 ₽139
-2.12%
🚌 Getting Around
Makhachkala
Kazan
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.43 ₽31.44
$0.57 ₽41.64
-24.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$25.24 ₽1,854
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.22 ₽163
$1.24 ₽91.4
79.03%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.21 ₽15.53
$0.25 ₽18.37
-16.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.18 ₽454
$5.59 ₽410
10.55%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.70 ₽51.3
$0.71 ₽52.2
-1.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3K ₽2.6M
$37.9K ₽2.8M
-6.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.3K ₽2.2M
$44.5K ₽3.3M
-31.93%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Makhachkala
Kazan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$54.9 ₽4,033
$104 ₽7,658
-47.34%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.13 ₽450
$5.71 ₽419
7.36%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.84 ₽723
$6.47 ₽475
52.09%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Makhachkala
Kazan
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$46.58 ₽3,421
$23.77 ₽1,746
95.96%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.74 ₽1,377
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.02 ₽369
$5.72 ₽420
-12.24%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Makhachkala
Kazan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$166 ₽12.2K
$254 ₽18.7K
-34.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,077 ₽519.9K
$7,002 ₽514.4K
1.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Makhachkala
Kazan
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$106 ₽7,777
$66.2 ₽4,865
59.88%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.24 ₽3,250
$43.92 ₽3,227
0.73%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$105 ₽7,704
$104 ₽7,672
0.41%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 ₽10.7K
$100 ₽7,368
44.59%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Makhachkala
Kazan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$501 ₽36.8K
$626 ₽46.0K
-19.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$305 ₽22.4K
$424 ₽31.2K
-28.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$698 ₽51.2K
$1,040 ₽76.4K
-32.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$399 ₽29.3K
$684 ₽50.3K
-41.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,789 ₽131.4K
$4,848 ₽356.1K
-63.10%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,289 ₽94.7K
$2,879 ₽211.5K
-55.24%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Makhachkala
Kazan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$860 ₽63.1K
$976 ₽71.7K
-11.89%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.33
18.15
-37.58%

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

Last update for Makhachkala: June 1, 2026

Last update for Kazan: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $501 in Makhachkala and $626 in Kazan. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Kazan pays 14% 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: $39.00 in Makhachkala vs $38.00 in Kazan. Groceries flip the comparison at $157 vs $203, 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
Makhachkala vs Kazan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Makhachkala and Kazan?
Makhachkala and Kazan differ by about 12% in total monthly costs ($979 vs $1,093 including rent). Makhachkala is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Kazan earns 14% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Makhachkala and Kazan?
Rent for a central apartment: $501 in Makhachkala versus $626 in Kazan. 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 29% higher in Kazan. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Makhachkala or Kazan?
All in, you'll spend $979 per month in Makhachkala versus $1,093 in Kazan – a 12% 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 $979 in Makhachkala versus $1,093 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 Makhachkala and Kazan?
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 Makhachkala or Kazan safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Makhachkala and Kazan 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: Makhachkala or Kazan?
Expats usually find Makhachkala gentler on the wallet – expenses run 12% less than in Kazan. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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