πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,014 in Novosibirsk versus $979 in Kislovodsk.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,615 in Novosibirsk versus $1,509 in Kislovodsk.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,216 in Novosibirsk versus $2,039 in Kislovodsk.
πLiving in Novosibirsk is roughly 4% more expensive than Kislovodsk, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Novosibirsk24% lower, Kislovodsk27% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Novosibirsk
Kislovodsk
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.77β½583
$9.64β½723
-19.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.19β½2,865
$37.83β½2,838
0.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.16β½387
$5.84β½438
-11.64%
Cappuccino
$2.85β½214
$2.33β½175
22.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.40β½105
$1.12β½84.3
25.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84β½63.4
$0.52β½39.14
61.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.61β½196
$1.36β½102
91.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.78β½283
$2.50β½187
51.20%
π Groceries & Markets
Novosibirsk
Kislovodsk
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10β½82.6
$1.11β½83.5
-0.90%
White Bread(500g)
$0.61β½46.14
$0.66β½49.50
-7.58%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.60β½120
$1.42β½107
12.68%
Eggs
$1.81β½136
$1.73β½130
4.62%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.62β½797
$11.01β½826
-3.54%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.95β½371
$4.89β½367
1.23%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.14β½761
$8.98β½674
12.92%
Apples(1kg)
$1.99β½149
$1.74β½131
14.37%
Banana(1kg)
$1.92β½144
$1.87β½141
2.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.92β½144
$1.96β½147
-2.04%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.46β½260
$2.66β½200
30.08%
Potato(1kg)
$0.74β½55.2
$0.78β½58.8
-5.13%
Onion(1kg)
$0.68β½51.0
$0.72β½54.3
-5.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.08β½81.1
$1.40β½105
-22.86%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72β½53.9
$0.67β½50.4
7.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.25β½244
$2.98β½224
9.06%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.27β½695
$6.77β½508
36.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.94β½70.5
$0.95β½71.2
-1.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07β½155
$1.94β½145
6.70%
π Getting Around
Novosibirsk
Kislovodsk
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.52β½39.19
$0.53β½39.57
-1.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.37β½2,354
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.88β½141
$1.93β½145
-2.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.27β½20.48
$0.33β½24.70
-18.18%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.92β½294
$6.22β½467
-36.98%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.76β½57.0
$0.77β½57.5
-1.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$55.0Kβ½4.1M
$34.9Kβ½2.6M
57.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4Kβ½2.0M
$35.0Kβ½2.6M
-24.58%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Novosibirsk
Kislovodsk
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$108β½8,076
$111β½8,354
-3.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.37β½403
$5.81β½436
-7.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.57β½643
$7.68β½576
11.59%
π Sport & Entertainment
Novosibirsk
Kislovodsk
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.6β½4,549
$35.59β½2,670
70.33%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.47β½1,837
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.92β½444
$5.13β½385
15.40%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Novosibirsk
Kislovodsk
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$357β½26.8K
$329β½24.7K
8.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,688β½351.7K
$6,969β½522.9K
-32.73%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Novosibirsk
Kislovodsk
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.3β½5,051
$70.3β½5,274
-4.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.98β½2,925
$44.97β½3,374
-13.32%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$96.4β½7,235
$114β½8,574
-15.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.6β½5,895
$105β½7,905
-25.42%
π Accommodation & Living
Novosibirsk
Kislovodsk
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$483β½36.2K
$453β½34.0K
6.57%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$304β½22.8K
$299β½22.4K
1.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$830β½62.3K
$749β½56.2K
10.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$643β½48.2K
$512β½38.4K
25.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,638β½197.9K
$2,109β½158.2K
25.10%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,589β½119.2K
$1,482β½111.2K
7.19%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Novosibirsk
Kislovodsk
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$845β½63.4K
$836β½62.7K
1.15%
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: April 20, 2026
Last update for Kislovodsk: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $483 in Novosibirsk and $453 in Kislovodsk. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Novosibirsk pays 1% 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 $38 in Kislovodsk. Groceries flip the comparison at $208 vs $195, with Kislovodsk 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 Kislovodsk: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kislovodsk cheaper than Novosibirsk?
Kislovodsk is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, 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 Kislovodsk?
Novosibirsk pays 1% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Novosibirsk and Kislovodsk?
Rent for a central apartment: $483 in Novosibirsk versus $453 in Kislovodsk. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Novosibirsk and Kislovodsk?
Supermarket bills run roughly 6% higher in Novosibirsk. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Novosibirsk vs Kislovodsk?
All in, you'll spend $1,014 per month in Novosibirsk versus $979 in Kislovodsk β a 4% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Novosibirsk or Kislovodsk?
At $979 in Kislovodsk versus $1,014 in Novosibirsk, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Kislovodsk but tight or insufficient in Novosibirsk. The gap between the two cities makes Kislovodsk the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Novosibirsk or Kislovodsk?
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 safer, Novosibirsk or Kislovodsk?
Safety-wise, Novosibirsk and Kislovodsk are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Kislovodsk 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