Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Minsk and Oryol

For one person, living is cheaper in Oryol: $645 a month against $1,020 in Minsk, rent and utilities included – about $4,500 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Minsk outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Minsk
🇧🇾 Belarus
$1,020
/mo nomad
Oryol
🇷🇺 Russia
$645
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Minsk and in Oryol

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Minsk and in Oryol actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,020 per month in Minsk vs $645 in Oryol, rent included.

  • Minsk $1,020
  • Oryol $645

A couple spends around $1,662 per month in Minsk vs $1,103 in Oryol, rent included.

  • Minsk $1,662
  • Oryol $1,103

A family of three spends $2,303 per month in Minsk vs $1,560 in Oryol, rent included.

  • Minsk $2,303
  • Oryol $1,560

Minsk costs about 58% more than Oryol, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Minsk and Oryol are more affordable than the global median – Minsk 24% lower, Oryol 52% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Minsk
Oryol
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.97 BYN 29.91
$12.07 ₽1,007
-17.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.01 BYN 147
$44.57 ₽3,720
9.96%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.87 BYN 20.60
$6.03 ₽503
13.93%
Cappuccino
$2.31 BYN 6.92
$2.56 ₽213
-9.77%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.92 BYN 2.77
$1.20 ₽101
-23.33%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.59 BYN 1.76
$0.63 ₽52.2
-6.35%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.67 BYN 5.01
$1.83 ₽153
-8.74%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.54 BYN 7.61
$1.85 ₽154
37.30%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Minsk
Oryol
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.89 BYN 2.68
$1.17 ₽97.6
-23.93%
White Bread (500g)
$0.67 BYN 2.02
$0.64 ₽53.6
4.69%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.26 BYN 3.78
$1.49 ₽125
-15.44%
Eggs
$1.64 BYN 4.91
$1.38 ₽116
18.84%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.90 BYN 23.71
$7.98 ₽666
-1.00%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.33 BYN 16.00
$5.15 ₽430
3.50%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.17 BYN 33.50
$8.13 ₽678
37.39%
Apples (1kg)
$1.57 BYN 4.72
$1.62 ₽135
-3.09%
Banana (1kg)
$1.75 BYN 5.25
$1.85 ₽155
-5.41%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.14 BYN 6.43
$2.26 ₽189
-5.31%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.70 BYN 8.11
$3.59 ₽300
-24.79%
Potato (1kg)
$0.64 BYN 1.92
$0.89 ₽74.0
-28.09%
Onion (1kg)
$0.78 BYN 2.33
$0.51 ₽42.80
52.94%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.41 BYN 4.22
$1.16 ₽96.9
21.55%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.67 BYN 2.02
$0.80 ₽66.7
-16.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.69 BYN 8.07
$3.06 ₽256
-12.09%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.47 BYN 25.42
$8.13 ₽679
4.18%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.03 BYN 3.10
$1.34 ₽112
-23.13%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98 BYN 5.94
$1.22 ₽102
62.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Minsk
Oryol
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.34 BYN 1.02
$0.41 ₽33.95
-17.07%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$18.79 BYN 56.4
$42.00 ₽3,505
-55.26%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.68 BYN 5.04
$1.17 ₽98.0
43.59%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.49 BYN 1.46
$0.24 ₽19.99
104.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.90 BYN 29.69
$4.97 ₽415
99.20%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.92 BYN 2.75
$0.81 ₽67.3
13.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.6K BYN 64.8K
$27.9K ₽2.3M
-22.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K BYN 67.5K
$16.8K ₽1.4M
34.34%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Minsk
Oryol
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$61.5 BYN 185
$59.5 ₽4,964
3.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.64 BYN 25.91
$5.93 ₽495
45.70%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.57 BYN 40.72
$5.94 ₽496
128.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Minsk
Oryol
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.89 BYN 114
$35.25 ₽2,942
7.49%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.71 BYN 62.1
$18.10 ₽1,511
14.42%
Cinema Ticket
$6.09 BYN 18.28
$6.58 ₽549
-7.45%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Minsk
Oryol
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$397 BYN 1,190
$235 ₽19.6K
69.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$24.4K BYN 73.1K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Minsk
Oryol
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.2 BYN 157
$42.49 ₽3,547
22.92%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.67 BYN 134
$36.12 ₽3,014
23.67%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$109 BYN 327
$70.1 ₽5,851
55.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110 BYN 330
$120 ₽9,984
-8.13%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Minsk
Oryol
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$595 BYN 1,785
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$377 BYN 1,131
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,034 BYN 3,102
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$728 BYN 2,183
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,554 BYN 7,661
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,683 BYN 5,048
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Minsk
Oryol
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$957 BYN 2,872
$703 ₽58.7K
36.19%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
15.93
20
-20.35%

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

Last update for Minsk: October 12, 2026

Last update for Oryol: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Minsk
$377
Oryol
- * 100%
Groceries & Markets
Minsk
$195
Oryol
$193 0.8% $1.6
Eating Out
Minsk
$148
Oryol
$166 12.2% $18
Clothing & Footwear
Minsk
$142
Oryol
$121 15% $21
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Minsk
$84
Oryol
$71 14.8% $12
Sport & Entertainment
Minsk
$50
Oryol
$48 3.3% $1.7
Getting Around
Minsk
$24
Oryol
$46 89.6% $22

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 36% higher in Minsk, 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 $49.00 in Minsk versus $45.00 in Oryol. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $195 vs $193 – making Oryol the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇧🇾 Minsk
🇷🇺 Oryol
🕒 Local time
09:59 9:59 AM
09:59 9:59 AM
Same time as Minsk
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,992,862 Capital
303,696
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

RUB, USD, EUR to BYN – Belarusian Ruble Converter

Belarusian Ruble exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 3 BYN (1 BYN = 0.333 USD). 1 EUR = 3.37 BYN (1 BYN = 0.297 EUR).

Russian Ruble exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 83.46 RUB (100 RUB = 1.2 USD). 1 EUR = 93.83 RUB (100 RUB = 1.07 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Minsk Oryol 570 km ≈ 1 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Minsk
  • Oryol

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Minsk vs Oryol: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Minsk or Oryol?
Minsk costs about 58% more than Oryol, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from transport. 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 Minsk and in Oryol?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,530 per month in Minsk and $968 in Oryol. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Are groceries more expensive in Minsk or in Oryol?
Groceries cost about 1% more in Minsk, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
How do dining costs compare in Minsk and in Oryol?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $49.00 in Minsk and $45.00 in Oryol. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Minsk or in Oryol?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Oryol, where all-in costs run around $645, than in Minsk at $1,020. In Oryol it covers expenses comfortably, while in Minsk it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Minsk or Oryol?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Oryol costs $645 versus $1,020 in Minsk. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Minsk compared to Oryol?
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 Minsk or to Oryol?
If budget matters most, go with Oryol. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Minsk makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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