πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,014 in Novosibirsk versus $966 in Kholmsk.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,615 in Novosibirsk versus $1,479 in Kholmsk.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,216 in Novosibirsk versus $1,993 in Kholmsk.
πLiving in Novosibirsk is roughly 5% more expensive than Kholmsk, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Novosibirsk24% lower, Kholmsk28% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Novosibirsk
Kholmsk
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.77β½583
$9.57β½718
-18.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.19β½2,865
$37.48β½2,813
1.89%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.16β½387
$5.87β½441
-12.10%
Cappuccino
$2.85β½214
$2.28β½171
25.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.40β½105
$1.13β½84.7
23.89%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84β½63.4
$0.48β½35.96
75.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.61β½196
$1.41β½106
85.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.78β½283
$2.60β½195
45.38%
π Groceries & Markets
Novosibirsk
Kholmsk
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10β½82.6
$1.11β½83.3
-0.90%
White Bread(500g)
$0.61β½46.14
$0.69β½52.1
-11.59%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.60β½120
$1.44β½108
11.11%
Eggs
$1.81β½136
$2.19β½164
-17.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.62β½797
$10.76β½807
-1.30%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.95β½371
$4.84β½363
2.27%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.14β½761
$8.77β½658
15.62%
Apples(1kg)
$1.99β½149
$1.81β½136
9.94%
Banana(1kg)
$1.92β½144
$1.89β½142
1.59%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.92β½144
$1.92β½144
-
Tomato(1kg)
$3.46β½260
$2.76β½207
25.36%
Potato(1kg)
$0.74β½55.2
$0.84β½63.1
-11.90%
Onion(1kg)
$0.68β½51.0
$0.67β½50.5
1.49%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.08β½81.1
$1.34β½101
-19.40%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72β½53.9
$0.67β½50.5
7.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.25β½244
$2.96β½222
9.80%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.27β½695
$7.85β½589
18.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.94β½70.5
$1.03β½77.2
-8.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07β½155
$1.88β½141
10.11%
π Getting Around
Novosibirsk
Kholmsk
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.52β½39.19
$0.53β½39.86
-1.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.37β½2,354
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.88β½141
$1.85β½139
1.62%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.27β½20.48
$0.35β½26.55
-22.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.92β½294
$6.26β½470
-37.38%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.76β½57.0
$0.74β½55.3
2.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$55.0Kβ½4.1M
$34.3Kβ½2.6M
60.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4Kβ½2.0M
$35.1Kβ½2.6M
-24.89%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Novosibirsk
Kholmsk
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$108β½8,076
$110β½8,246
-2.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.37β½403
$6.03β½452
-10.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.57β½643
$8.02β½602
6.86%
π Sport & Entertainment
Novosibirsk
Kholmsk
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.6β½4,549
$35.90β½2,694
68.86%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.47β½1,837
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.92β½444
$4.94β½371
19.84%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Novosibirsk
Kholmsk
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$357β½26.8K
$318β½23.8K
12.36%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,688β½351.7K
$7,051β½529.1K
-33.52%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Novosibirsk
Kholmsk
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.3β½5,051
$71.1β½5,338
-5.37%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.98β½2,925
$44.95β½3,373
-13.28%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$96.4β½7,235
$115β½8,644
-16.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.6β½5,895
$107β½8,055
-26.81%
π Accommodation & Living
Novosibirsk
Kholmsk
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$483β½36.2K
$440β½33.0K
9.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$304β½22.8K
$301β½22.6K
0.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$830β½62.3K
$776β½58.2K
7.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$643β½48.2K
$509β½38.2K
26.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,638β½197.9K
$997β½74.8K
164.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,589β½119.2K
$1,522β½114.2K
4.38%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Novosibirsk
Kholmsk
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$845β½63.4K
$596β½44.7K
41.81%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
17.38
18.33
-5.18%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Novosibirsk: April 20, 2026
Last update for Kholmsk: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $483 in Novosibirsk and $440 in Kholmsk. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Novosibirsk pays 42% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $38 in Novosibirsk vs $37 in Kholmsk for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $208 vs $199 per month, with Kholmsk cheaper across the board.
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 Kholmsk: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Novosibirsk or Kholmsk?
Kholmsk wins on cost β living expenses run 5% lower than in Novosibirsk. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Kholmsk the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Novosibirsk or Kholmsk?
Novosibirsk pays 42% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Novosibirsk vs Kholmsk?
Rent for a central apartment: $483 in Novosibirsk versus $440 in Kholmsk. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Novosibirsk or Kholmsk?
Supermarket bills run roughly 4% higher in Novosibirsk. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Novosibirsk compared to Kholmsk?
All in, you'll spend $1,014 per month in Novosibirsk versus $966 in Kholmsk β a 5% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Novosibirsk or Kholmsk?
At $966 in Kholmsk versus $1,014 in Novosibirsk, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Kholmsk but tight or insufficient in Novosibirsk. The gap between the two cities makes Kholmsk the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Novosibirsk or Kholmsk?
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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Kholmsk gentler on the wallet β expenses run 5% 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