😐A single person spends $1,217 per month in Rio de Janeiro vs $1,124 in Astana, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,809 per month in Rio de Janeiro vs $1,819 in Astana, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,402 per month in Rio de Janeiro vs $2,514 in Astana, rent included.
😐Rio de Janeiro costs about 8% more than Astana, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Rio de Janeiro and Astana are more affordable than the global median – Rio de Janeiro12% lower, Astana18% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rio de Janeiro
Astana
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.47R$48.53
$10.49₸4,729
-9.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.19R$201
$37.23₸16.8K
5.26%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.53R$43.74
$7.60₸3,426
12.24%
Cappuccino
$2.32R$11.90
$2.56₸1,152
-9.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59R$8.13
$1.13₸507
40.71%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05R$5.36
$0.64₸288
64.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.27R$11.65
$1.29₸580
75.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30R$16.91
$2.17₸979
52.07%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rio de Janeiro
Astana
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.11R$5.69
$1.25₸564
-11.20%
White Bread(500g)
$2.03R$10.42
$0.57₸259
256.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.36R$6.95
$1.82₸819
-25.27%
Eggs
$2.24R$11.48
$2.23₸1,004
0.45%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.42R$53.4
$11.53₸5,197
-9.63%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.25R$21.81
$5.68₸2,559
-25.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.78R$50.1
$10.53₸4,746
-7.12%
Apples(1kg)
$2.62R$13.45
$1.80₸812
45.56%
Banana(1kg)
$1.82R$9.31
$2.46₸1,108
-26.02%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.59R$8.15
$2.22₸1,000
-28.38%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.82R$9.35
$2.38₸1,074
-23.53%
Potato(1kg)
$1.28R$6.58
$0.75₸338
70.67%
Onion(1kg)
$1.02R$5.22
$0.45₸202
126.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.70R$3.58
$1.52₸687
-53.95%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.67R$3.44
$0.86₸388
-22.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.93R$15.00
$2.18₸982
34.40%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.54R$43.79
$11.06₸4,983
-22.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.17R$5.97
$1.33₸598
-12.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47R$12.64
$2.38₸1,072
3.78%
🚌 Getting Around
Rio de Janeiro
Astana
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.97R$4.95
$0.25₸113
288.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$50.1R$257
$16.49₸7,431
203.70%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.18R$6.07
$2.58₸1,164
-54.26%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.87R$4.46
$1.11₸501
-21.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.88R$45.51
$6.49₸2,923
36.83%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.26R$6.44
$0.65₸293
93.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.6KR$121.2K
$24.2K₸10.9M
-2.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.9KR$168.6K
$29.9K₸13.5M
9.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rio de Janeiro
Astana
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$136R$697
$66.7₸30.0K
104.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.93R$61.1
$9.82₸4,423
21.49%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.66R$111
$17.73₸7,991
22.17%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rio de Janeiro
Astana
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.09R$154
$58.0₸26.1K
-48.10%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.51R$151
$20.39₸9,190
44.73%
Cinema Ticket
$7.72R$39.59
$6.25₸2,817
23.52%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rio de Janeiro
Astana
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$550R$2,819
$376₸169.5K
46.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.3KR$68.3K
$11.8K₸5.3M
12.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rio de Janeiro
Astana
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.22R$206
$66.9₸30.2K
-39.89%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.82R$245
$45.46₸20.5K
5.19%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.9R$373
$117₸52.6K
-37.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.1R$334
$127₸57.4K
-48.88%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rio de Janeiro
Astana
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$821R$4,207
$562₸253.3K
46.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$498R$2,554
$380₸171.4K
30.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,285R$6,585
$1,170₸527.0K
9.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716R$3,673
$775₸349.2K
-7.54%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,890R$19.9K
$1,499₸675.6K
159.42%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,482R$7,595
$1,116₸502.8K
32.79%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rio de Janeiro
Astana
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$649R$3,329
$852₸383.8K
-23.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.93
16.2
-26.36%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rio de Janeiro: September 6, 2026
Last update for Astana: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $821 in Rio de Janeiro versus $562 in Astana. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 31% higher in Astana, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $39.00 in Rio de Janeiro versus $37.00 in Astana. Groceries tell a different story – $212 in Rio de Janeiro vs $227 in Astana – so Rio de Janeiro wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Rio de Janeiro vs Astana: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Rio de Janeiro and in Astana compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,217 in Rio de Janeiro, $1,124 in Astana – roughly 8% apart. Rio de Janeiro costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Rio de Janeiro compared to Astana?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,826 per month in Rio de Janeiro and $1,687 in Astana. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Rio de Janeiro and Astana?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Astana, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Rio de Janeiro and Astana?
Kindergarten costs $550 per month in Rio de Janeiro and $376 in Astana. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Interestingly, groceries are about 7% cheaper in Rio de Janeiro – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Astana, where all-in costs run around $1,124, than in Rio de Janeiro at $1,217. In Astana it covers expenses comfortably, while in Rio de Janeiro it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Rio de Janeiro and Astana?
It depends on your priorities. Rio de Janeiro has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,124 in Astana to $1,217 in Rio de Janeiro. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Rio de Janeiro or Astana safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Rio de Janeiro and Astana?
If budget matters most, go with Astana. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Rio de Janeiro makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Rio de Janeiro vs other spots: cost of living compared