πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Novosibirsk vs $1,081 in Ishim, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,653 per month in Novosibirsk vs $1,640 in Ishim, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,294 per month in Novosibirsk vs $2,199 in Ishim, rent included.
πNovosibirsk is about 6% cheaper than Ishim, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Novosibirsk and Ishim are more affordable than the global median β Novosibirsk24% lower, Ishim19% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Novosibirsk
Ishim
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.47β½561
$10.17β½764
-26.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.41β½2,810
$35.57β½2,672
5.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.00β½376
$8.79β½661
-43.12%
Cappuccino
$2.77β½208
$2.55β½192
8.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.34β½100
$0.93β½69.8
44.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87β½65.2
$0.54β½40.67
61.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.55β½192
$1.06β½79.8
140.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72β½279
$1.93β½145
92.75%
π Groceries & Markets
Novosibirsk
Ishim
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05β½78.9
$1.09β½81.6
-3.67%
White Bread(500g)
$0.56β½42.36
$0.62β½46.65
-9.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.61β½121
$1.27β½95.2
26.77%
Eggs
$1.88β½141
$1.64β½123
14.63%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.69β½803
$10.74β½806
-0.47%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.94β½371
$4.17β½314
18.47%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.22β½768
$12.05β½905
-15.19%
Apples(1kg)
$2.07β½156
$1.63β½122
26.99%
Banana(1kg)
$1.87β½141
$1.89β½142
-1.06%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.98β½149
$1.71β½129
15.79%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.34β½251
$2.32β½174
43.97%
Potato(1kg)
$0.80β½60.1
$0.94β½70.3
-14.89%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67β½50.0
$0.68β½51.0
-1.47%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.09β½82.0
$1.03β½77.3
5.83%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72β½53.9
$0.70β½52.4
2.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.14β½236
$3.03β½227
3.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.55β½717
$7.16β½538
33.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.87β½65.0
$0.96β½72.3
-9.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16β½162
$1.23β½92.1
75.61%
π Getting Around
Novosibirsk
Ishim
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.52β½39.35
$0.52β½39.17
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.43β½2,361
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.88β½141
$3.06β½230
-38.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.25β½18.77
$0.24β½18.13
4.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.86β½290
$6.05β½454
-36.20%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.77β½57.5
$0.73β½55.2
5.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$55.8Kβ½4.2M
$25.5Kβ½1.9M
118.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1Kβ½2.0M
$23.5Kβ½1.8M
15.50%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Novosibirsk
Ishim
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$106β½7,931
$157β½11.8K
-32.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.48β½411
$4.97β½373
10.26%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.71β½654
$10.73β½806
-18.83%
π Sport & Entertainment
Novosibirsk
Ishim
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$59.7β½4,485
$36.06β½2,708
65.59%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.25β½1,897
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.91β½444
$4.39β½329
34.62%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Novosibirsk
Ishim
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$354β½26.6K
$181β½13.6K
95.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,695β½352.6K
$8,444β½634.2K
-44.40%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Novosibirsk
Ishim
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.8β½5,163
$97.8β½7,344
-29.68%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.38β½2,958
$45.56β½3,422
-13.56%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.1β½7,140
$147β½11.0K
-35.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.7β½6,059
$160β½12.0K
-49.61%
π Accommodation & Living
Novosibirsk
Ishim
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$471β½35.4K
$451β½33.9K
4.41%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$309β½23.2K
$302β½22.7K
2.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$818β½61.5K
$755β½56.7K
8.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$639β½48.0K
$499β½37.5K
28.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,631β½197.6K
$1,882β½141.4K
39.77%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,582β½118.8K
$1,468β½110.3K
7.74%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Novosibirsk
Ishim
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$856β½64.3K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
17.38
22.38
-22.34%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Novosibirsk: April 27, 2026
Last update for Ishim: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $471 in Novosibirsk versus $451 in Ishim. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $37.00 in Novosibirsk versus $36.00 in Ishim. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $208 vs $194 β making Ishim 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
Novosibirsk vs Ishim: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ishim cheaper than Novosibirsk?
Yes β Ishim is pricier by about 7%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Novosibirsk and $1,622 in Ishim. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Novosibirsk, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Novosibirsk and Ishim?
Interestingly, groceries are about 7% cheaper in Ishim β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Novosibirsk or Ishim?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Novosibirsk, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Ishim at $1,081. In Novosibirsk it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ishim it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Novosibirsk or Ishim more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Novosibirsk β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Novosibirsk or Ishim?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Novosibirsk. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ishim makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Novosibirsk vs other spots: cost of living compared