πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Novosibirsk versus $1,114 in Serpukhov.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,647 in Novosibirsk versus $1,773 in Serpukhov.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,276 in Novosibirsk versus $2,432 in Serpukhov.
πLiving in Novosibirsk costs roughly 9% less than in Serpukhov, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Novosibirsk24% lower, Serpukhov17% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Novosibirsk
Serpukhov
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.46β½549
$12.77β½940
-41.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.34β½2,750
$56.9β½4,189
-34.36%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.95β½364
$6.38β½470
-22.41%
Cappuccino
$2.87β½212
$3.28β½242
-12.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35β½99.6
$1.43β½105
-5.59%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84β½61.9
$0.64β½47.11
31.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.50β½184
$1.42β½104
76.06%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.86β½284
$4.45β½328
-13.26%
π Groceries & Markets
Novosibirsk
Serpukhov
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10β½81.0
$1.34β½98.4
-17.91%
White Bread(500g)
$0.57β½41.74
$0.89β½65.4
-35.96%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.69β½124
$1.71β½126
-1.17%
Eggs
$1.79β½132
$1.55β½114
15.48%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.93β½805
$13.17β½970
-17.01%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.10β½376
$4.52β½333
12.83%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.06β½741
$12.23β½901
-17.74%
Apples(1kg)
$2.09β½154
$1.95β½144
7.18%
Banana(1kg)
$1.93β½142
$2.09β½154
-7.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93β½142
$2.28β½168
-15.35%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.35β½247
$4.13β½304
-18.89%
Potato(1kg)
$0.76β½55.8
$0.99β½73.1
-23.23%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67β½49.38
$0.80β½59.0
-16.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.09β½80.0
$1.69β½125
-35.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.73β½54.0
$0.80β½58.6
-8.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.20β½236
$3.14β½231
1.91%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.58β½705
$6.82β½502
40.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.91β½67.0
$0.87β½63.8
4.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04β½150
$2.33β½171
-12.45%
π Getting Around
Novosibirsk
Serpukhov
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.53β½39.10
$0.49β½36.30
8.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.65β½2,331
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.85β½136
$2.58β½190
-28.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.25β½18.37
$0.44β½32.66
-43.18%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.90β½287
$6.36β½468
-38.68%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.74β½54.7
$0.75β½54.9
-1.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$55.1Kβ½4.1M
$37.9Kβ½2.8M
45.35%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4Kβ½1.9M
$36.0Kβ½2.7M
-26.55%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Novosibirsk
Serpukhov
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$107β½7,851
$153β½11.3K
-30.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.48β½404
$7.86β½579
-30.28%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.77β½646
$8.10β½597
8.27%
π Sport & Entertainment
Novosibirsk
Serpukhov
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.7β½4,471
$35.77β½2,634
69.75%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.37β½1,795
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.99β½441
$6.51β½480
-7.99%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Novosibirsk
Serpukhov
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$354β½26.1K
$330β½24.3K
7.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,701β½346.2K
$6,901β½508.2K
-31.87%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Novosibirsk
Serpukhov
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.9β½5,148
$86.4β½6,363
-19.10%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.91β½2,939
$52.6β½3,875
-24.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$96.6β½7,115
$135β½9,920
-28.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9β½5,734
$160β½11.8K
-51.28%
π Accommodation & Living
Novosibirsk
Serpukhov
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$470β½34.6K
$439β½32.4K
6.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$302β½22.2K
$302β½22.2K
-0.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$840β½61.9K
$753β½55.5K
11.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$647β½47.7K
$503β½37.0K
28.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,092β½227.7K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,999β½147.2K
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Novosibirsk
Serpukhov
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$897β½66.0K
$1,243β½91.5K
-27.84%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
17.38
10.5
65.52%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Novosibirsk: May 31, 2026
Last update for Serpukhov: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $470 in Novosibirsk and $439 in Serpukhov. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Serpukhov pays 39% 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: $37.00 in Novosibirsk vs $57.0 in Serpukhov for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $210 vs $230 per month, with Novosibirsk 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 Serpukhov: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Serpukhov cheaper than Novosibirsk?
Novosibirsk is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 10% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Novosibirsk or Serpukhov?
On paper, Serpukhov earns 39% 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 Serpukhov?
Rent for a central apartment: $470 in Novosibirsk versus $439 in Serpukhov. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Novosibirsk and Serpukhov?
Supermarket bills run roughly 9% higher in Serpukhov. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Novosibirsk vs Serpukhov?
All in, you'll spend $1,017 per month in Novosibirsk versus $1,114 in Serpukhov β a 10% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Novosibirsk or Serpukhov?
At $1,017 in Novosibirsk versus $1,114 in Serpukhov, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Novosibirsk but tight or insufficient in Serpukhov. The gap between the two cities makes Novosibirsk the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Novosibirsk or Serpukhov?
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 Novosibirsk gentler on the wallet β expenses run 10% less than in Serpukhov. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Novosibirsk vs other spots: cost of living compared