πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,002 in Novosibirsk versus $968 in Abaza.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,639 in Novosibirsk versus $1,492 in Abaza.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,275 in Novosibirsk versus $2,017 in Abaza.
πLiving in Novosibirsk is roughly 4% more expensive than Abaza, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Novosibirsk25% lower, Abaza28% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Novosibirsk
Abaza
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.58β½549
$9.69β½702
-21.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.54β½2,720
$37.84β½2,742
-0.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.21β½378
$5.86β½424
-11.09%
Cappuccino
$2.86β½207
$2.29β½166
24.89%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38β½100
$1.11β½80.5
24.32%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86β½62.1
$0.51β½37.09
68.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.55β½185
$1.35β½97.9
88.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80β½275
$2.57β½186
47.86%
π Groceries & Markets
Novosibirsk
Abaza
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05β½75.8
$0.59β½42.95
77.97%
White Bread(500g)
$0.62β½44.62
$0.71β½51.1
-12.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.67β½121
$1.37β½99.5
21.90%
Eggs
$1.85β½134
$1.76β½128
5.11%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.64β½771
$10.99β½796
-3.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.18β½375
$4.94β½358
4.86%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.08β½730
$8.99β½651
12.12%
Apples(1kg)
$2.10β½152
$1.75β½127
20.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.88β½136
$1.89β½137
-0.53%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93β½140
$1.93β½140
-
Tomato(1kg)
$3.50β½254
$2.69β½195
30.11%
Potato(1kg)
$0.74β½53.8
$0.79β½57.1
-6.33%
Onion(1kg)
$0.68β½48.99
$0.72β½52.4
-5.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.13β½81.7
$1.37β½99.0
-17.52%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72β½52.0
$0.72β½52.2
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.22β½234
$2.91β½211
10.65%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.70β½703
$8.80β½638
10.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.86β½62.4
$1.00β½72.8
-14.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16β½156
$1.86β½135
16.13%
π Getting Around
Novosibirsk
Abaza
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.53β½38.41
$0.50β½36.02
6.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.64β½2,293
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.93β½140
$1.92β½139
0.52%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.25β½18.11
$0.33β½23.84
-24.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.78β½274
$6.52β½472
-42.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.76β½55.3
$0.73β½52.9
4.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$55.8Kβ½4.0M
$34.6Kβ½2.5M
61.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9Kβ½1.9M
$36.1Kβ½2.6M
-25.46%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Novosibirsk
Abaza
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$104β½7,552
$110β½7,975
-5.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.51β½399
$6.03β½437
-8.62%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.52β½618
$7.73β½560
10.22%
π Sport & Entertainment
Novosibirsk
Abaza
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$59.9β½4,341
$34.96β½2,533
71.37%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.02β½1,813
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.17β½447
$5.19β½376
18.88%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Novosibirsk
Abaza
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$350β½25.4K
$330β½23.9K
6.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,694β½340.1K
$6,905β½500.3K
-32.02%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Novosibirsk
Abaza
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.8β½4,983
$70.9β½5,134
-2.94%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.32β½2,922
$44.48β½3,223
-9.35%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.8β½6,944
$114β½8,244
-15.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.7β½5,772
$108β½7,821
-26.20%
π Accommodation & Living
Novosibirsk
Abaza
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$477β½34.6K
$440β½31.9K
8.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$298β½21.6K
$307β½22.3K
-2.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$839β½60.8K
$749β½54.3K
12.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$658β½47.6K
$505β½36.6K
30.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,064β½222.0K
$2,482β½179.8K
23.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,935β½140.2K
$1,700β½123.2K
13.84%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Novosibirsk
Abaza
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$885β½64.1K
$1,356β½98.3K
-34.79%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
17.38
15.33
13.37%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Novosibirsk: June 7, 2026
Last update for Abaza: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $477 in Novosibirsk and $440 in Abaza. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Abaza pays 53% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $38.00 in Novosibirsk vs $38.00 in Abaza. Groceries flip the comparison at $210 vs $196, with Abaza 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
Novosibirsk vs Abaza: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Abaza cheaper than Novosibirsk?
Abaza is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 4% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Novosibirsk or Abaza?
On paper, Abaza earns 53% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Novosibirsk and Abaza?
Rent for a central apartment: $477 in Novosibirsk versus $440 in Abaza. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $350 in Novosibirsk versus $330 in Abaza. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Novosibirsk or Abaza?
Dining out is cheaper in Abaza β a meal for two runs $38.00 versus $38.00 in Novosibirsk. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Novosibirsk or Abaza?
At $968 in Abaza versus $1,002 in Novosibirsk, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Abaza but tight or insufficient in Novosibirsk. The gap between the two cities makes Abaza the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Novosibirsk or Abaza?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Abaza gentler on the wallet β expenses run 4% less than in Novosibirsk. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Novosibirsk vs other spots: cost of living compared