😐A single person spends $1,638 per month in Moscow vs $957 in Novokuznetsk, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,596 per month in Moscow vs $1,472 in Novokuznetsk, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,554 per month in Moscow vs $1,988 in Novokuznetsk, rent included.
😐Moscow costs about 71% more than Novokuznetsk, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Moscow sits 23% above the global median, while Novokuznetsk is 28% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Moscow
Novokuznetsk
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.79₽1,018
$9.76₽777
31.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$57.5₽4,579
$37.73₽3,003
52.48%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.28₽499
$5.87₽467
6.98%
Cappuccino
$3.31₽263
$2.34₽186
41.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42₽113
$1.09₽86.5
30.28%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.67₽53.4
$0.52₽41.45
28.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.32₽344
$1.38₽110
213.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.54₽362
$2.60₽207
74.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Moscow
Novokuznetsk
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.29₽102
$1.16₽92.5
11.21%
White Bread(500g)
$0.90₽71.3
$0.70₽55.8
28.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.69₽135
$1.43₽114
18.18%
Eggs
$1.87₽149
$1.77₽141
5.65%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.98₽1,033
$10.89₽867
19.19%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.99₽477
$4.89₽389
22.49%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.95₽951
$8.93₽711
33.82%
Apples(1kg)
$1.86₽148
$1.76₽140
5.68%
Banana(1kg)
$2.05₽163
$1.82₽145
12.64%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.29₽183
$1.98₽157
15.66%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.01₽319
$2.79₽222
43.73%
Potato(1kg)
$1.03₽81.9
$0.83₽66.3
24.10%
Onion(1kg)
$0.81₽64.3
$0.70₽55.7
15.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.69₽135
$1.42₽113
19.01%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80₽63.3
$0.71₽56.3
12.68%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.10₽247
$2.93₽233
5.80%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.70₽1,011
$6.27₽499
102.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.12₽89.3
$0.93₽74.3
20.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.43₽194
$1.95₽155
24.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Moscow
Novokuznetsk
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86₽68.6
$0.50₽39.74
72.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$37.82₽3,010
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.49₽198
$1.95₽155
27.69%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.44₽35.37
$0.33₽26.14
33.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.93₽631
$6.50₽517
22.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.82₽65.1
$0.76₽60.5
7.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.4K₽3.0M
$34.9K₽2.8M
7.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.2K₽2.9M
$35.0K₽2.8M
3.35%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Moscow
Novokuznetsk
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$151₽12.0K
$112₽8,880
35.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.00₽636
$6.06₽482
32.01%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.82₽623
$7.92₽630
-1.26%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Moscow
Novokuznetsk
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.92₽3,734
$35.01₽2,786
34.02%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.41₽2,739
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.19₽493
$5.22₽415
18.58%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Moscow
Novokuznetsk
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$697₽55.5K
$330₽26.3K
111.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.7K₽1.2M
$7,010₽557.9K
109.90%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Moscow
Novokuznetsk
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$88.8₽7,069
$69.4₽5,526
27.93%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.0₽4,214
$44.09₽3,509
20.10%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$134₽10.7K
$116₽9,206
15.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$162₽12.9K
$108₽8,612
49.57%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Moscow
Novokuznetsk
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,344₽107.0K
$450₽35.8K
198.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$738₽58.7K
$309₽24.6K
138.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,965₽236.0K
$764₽60.8K
288.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,434₽114.1K
$505₽40.2K
183.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$10.8K₽861.9K
$2,347₽186.8K
361.42%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,627₽368.3K
$1,548₽123.2K
198.85%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Moscow
Novokuznetsk
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,794₽142.8K
$506₽40.3K
254.36%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
24.39
13.62
79.07%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Moscow: July 28, 2026
Last update for Novokuznetsk: July 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,344 in Moscow versus $450 in Novokuznetsk. 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 254% higher in Moscow, 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 $58.0 in Moscow versus $38.00 in Novokuznetsk. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $249 vs $196 – making Novokuznetsk the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Moscow vs Novokuznetsk: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Moscow or Novokuznetsk?
Moscow costs about 71% more than Novokuznetsk, 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 Moscow and in Novokuznetsk?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,458 per month in Moscow and $1,435 in Novokuznetsk. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Moscow or Novokuznetsk?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Novokuznetsk, 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 Moscow and in Novokuznetsk?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $58.0 in Moscow and $38.00 in Novokuznetsk. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Moscow or in Novokuznetsk?
Groceries cost about 27% more in Moscow, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Moscow or in Novokuznetsk?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Novokuznetsk, where all-in costs run around $957, than in Moscow at $1,638. In Novokuznetsk it covers expenses comfortably, while in Moscow it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Moscow or Novokuznetsk?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Novokuznetsk costs $957 versus $1,638 in Moscow. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Moscow or to Novokuznetsk?
If budget matters most, go with Novokuznetsk. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Moscow makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.