πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $992 in Novosibirsk versus $1,146 in Serpukhov.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,626 in Novosibirsk versus $1,791 in Serpukhov.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,261 in Novosibirsk versus $2,437 in Serpukhov.
πLiving in Novosibirsk costs roughly 13% less than in Serpukhov, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Novosibirsk26% lower, Serpukhov15% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Novosibirsk
Serpukhov
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.79β½592
$12.77β½971
-39.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.56β½2,856
$57.1β½4,345
-34.26%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.03β½383
$6.48β½493
-22.38%
Cappuccino
$2.79β½212
$3.29β½250
-15.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.40β½106
$1.39β½106
0.72%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80β½60.8
$0.66β½50.5
21.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.50β½190
$1.42β½108
76.06%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.74β½284
$4.37β½332
-14.42%
π Groceries & Markets
Novosibirsk
Serpukhov
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08β½82.4
$1.32β½101
-18.18%
White Bread(500g)
$0.57β½43.47
$0.84β½64.0
-32.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.65β½126
$1.76β½134
-6.25%
Eggs
$1.89β½143
$1.48β½113
27.70%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.77β½819
$12.99β½988
-17.09%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.02β½382
$4.48β½341
12.05%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.20β½776
$11.91β½906
-14.36%
Apples(1kg)
$2.08β½158
$1.90β½144
9.47%
Banana(1kg)
$1.92β½146
$2.01β½153
-4.48%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.97β½150
$2.29β½174
-13.97%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.52β½268
$4.19β½318
-15.99%
Potato(1kg)
$0.76β½57.7
$0.98β½74.6
-22.45%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67β½50.9
$0.85β½64.6
-21.18%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.13β½86.0
$1.64β½125
-31.10%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68β½51.8
$0.74β½56.6
-8.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.24β½247
$3.13β½238
3.51%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.93β½679
$6.44β½490
38.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.87β½66.1
$0.87β½66.1
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12β½162
$2.34β½178
-9.40%
π Getting Around
Novosibirsk
Serpukhov
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.52β½39.87
$0.49β½37.28
6.12%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$32.16β½2,446
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.88β½143
$2.57β½196
-26.85%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.25β½18.89
$0.47β½35.80
-46.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.75β½285
$6.52β½496
-42.48%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.75β½56.7
$0.80β½60.7
-6.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$55.7Kβ½4.2M
$38.5Kβ½2.9M
44.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3Kβ½2.0M
$36.3Kβ½2.8M
-27.51%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Novosibirsk
Serpukhov
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$105β½8,006
$153β½11.6K
-31.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.66β½430
$7.80β½593
-27.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.65β½658
$7.77β½591
11.33%
π Sport & Entertainment
Novosibirsk
Serpukhov
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.1β½4,567
$35.21β½2,678
70.55%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.46β½1,860
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.06β½461
$6.37β½485
-4.87%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Novosibirsk
Serpukhov
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$348β½26.5K
$329β½25.0K
6.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,684β½356.2K
$7,016β½533.6K
-33.23%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Novosibirsk
Serpukhov
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.5β½5,289
$88.0β½6,695
-21.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.36β½2,994
$52.7β½4,008
-25.31%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.6β½7,272
$134β½10.2K
-28.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.0β½6,007
$165β½12.5K
-52.12%
π Accommodation & Living
Novosibirsk
Serpukhov
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482β½36.6K
$441β½33.5K
9.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$300β½22.8K
$301β½22.9K
-0.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$841β½64.0K
$761β½57.9K
10.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$634β½48.2K
$510β½38.8K
24.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,625β½199.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523β½115.9K
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Novosibirsk
Serpukhov
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$835β½63.5K
$1,182β½89.9K
-29.34%
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: April 14, 2026
Last update for Serpukhov: April 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Novosibirsk and $441 in Serpukhov. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Serpukhov 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 $57 in Serpukhov for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $209 vs $225 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 16% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Novosibirsk or Serpukhov?
On paper, Serpukhov earns 42% 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: $482 in Novosibirsk versus $441 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 8% 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 $992 per month in Novosibirsk versus $1,146 in Serpukhov β a 16% 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 $992 in Novosibirsk versus $1,146 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 16% 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