πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Novosibirsk versus $1,260 in Yakutsk.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,647 in Novosibirsk versus $1,884 in Yakutsk.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,276 in Novosibirsk versus $2,508 in Yakutsk.
πLiving in Novosibirsk costs roughly 19% less than in Yakutsk, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Novosibirsk24% lower, Yakutsk6% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Novosibirsk
Yakutsk
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.46β½550
$9.75β½719
-23.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.34β½2,755
$44.20β½3,261
-15.52%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.95β½365
$7.41β½547
-33.20%
Cappuccino
$2.87β½212
$2.50β½185
14.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35β½99.9
$1.58β½117
-14.56%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84β½62.0
$0.73β½53.9
15.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.50β½185
$3.88β½286
-35.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.86β½285
$4.38β½323
-11.87%
π Groceries & Markets
Novosibirsk
Yakutsk
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10β½81.2
$1.84β½136
-40.22%
White Bread(500g)
$0.57β½41.82
$0.71β½52.7
-19.72%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.69β½124
$1.60β½118
5.62%
Eggs
$1.79β½132
$2.49β½184
-28.11%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.93β½807
$13.80β½1,018
-20.80%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.10β½377
$8.52β½629
-40.14%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.06β½742
$10.61β½783
-5.18%
Apples(1kg)
$2.09β½155
$3.12β½230
-33.01%
Banana(1kg)
$1.93β½142
$3.08β½227
-37.34%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93β½143
$4.19β½310
-53.94%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.35β½247
$3.66β½270
-8.47%
Potato(1kg)
$0.76β½55.9
$1.09β½80.1
-30.28%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67β½49.48
$1.82β½134
-63.19%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.09β½80.2
$1.68β½124
-35.12%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.73β½54.1
$1.08β½79.5
-32.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.20β½236
$2.58β½191
24.03%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.58β½707
$9.15β½675
4.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.91β½67.2
$1.21β½89.1
-24.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04β½151
$2.56β½189
-20.31%
π Getting Around
Novosibirsk
Yakutsk
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.53β½39.18
$0.69β½50.6
-23.19%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.65β½2,336
$12.73β½939
148.63%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.85β½136
$2.56β½189
-27.73%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.25β½18.41
$1.33β½98.5
-81.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.90β½288
$8.82β½651
-55.78%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.74β½54.8
$0.87β½64.4
-14.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$55.1Kβ½4.1M
$43.5Kβ½3.2M
26.75%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4Kβ½2.0M
$32.3Kβ½2.4M
-18.21%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Novosibirsk
Yakutsk
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$107β½7,867
$181β½13.4K
-41.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.48β½405
$5.44β½402
0.74%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.77β½647
$10.11β½746
-13.25%
π Sport & Entertainment
Novosibirsk
Yakutsk
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.7β½4,480
$46.72β½3,447
29.97%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.37β½1,798
$10.02β½739
143.21%
Cinema Ticket
$5.99β½442
$5.14β½379
16.54%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Novosibirsk
Yakutsk
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$354β½26.1K
$142β½10.5K
149.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,701β½346.9K
$2,492β½183.9K
88.68%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Novosibirsk
Yakutsk
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.9β½5,158
$31.86β½2,351
119.43%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.91β½2,945
$19.29β½1,423
106.89%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$96.6β½7,129
$62.9β½4,642
53.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9β½5,745
$63.1β½4,654
23.43%
π Accommodation & Living
Novosibirsk
Yakutsk
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$470β½34.7K
$625β½46.1K
-24.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$302β½22.3K
$430β½31.7K
-29.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$840β½62.0K
$959β½70.8K
-12.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$647β½47.7K
$723β½53.4K
-10.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,092β½228.2K
$3,333β½246.0K
-7.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,999β½147.5K
$2,900β½214.0K
-31.06%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Novosibirsk
Yakutsk
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$897β½66.2K
$1,247β½92.0K
-28.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
17.38
8.5
104.47%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Novosibirsk: May 31, 2026
Last update for Yakutsk: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $470 in Novosibirsk and $625 in Yakutsk. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Yakutsk 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 $44.00 in Yakutsk for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $210 vs $283 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 Yakutsk: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yakutsk cheaper than Novosibirsk?
Novosibirsk is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 24% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Novosibirsk or Yakutsk?
On paper, Yakutsk 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 Yakutsk?
Rent for a central apartment: $470 in Novosibirsk versus $625 in Yakutsk. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $354 in Novosibirsk versus $142 in Yakutsk. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Novosibirsk and Yakutsk?
Supermarket bills run roughly 35% higher in Yakutsk. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Novosibirsk or Yakutsk?
At $1,017 in Novosibirsk versus $1,260 in Yakutsk, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Novosibirsk but tight or insufficient in Yakutsk. The gap between the two cities makes Novosibirsk the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Novosibirsk or Yakutsk?
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 Yakutsk?
Safety-wise, Novosibirsk and Yakutsk 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 Novosibirsk gentler on the wallet β expenses run 24% less than in Yakutsk. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Novosibirsk vs other spots: cost of living compared