Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Rostov-on-Don and Arkhangelsk

For one person, living costs are similar in Rostov-on-Don and in Arkhangelsk: $1,137 and $1,148 a month, rent and utilities included.

Rostov-on-Don
🇷🇺 Russia
$1,137
/mo nomad
Arkhangelsk
🇷🇺 Russia
$1,148
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Rostov-on-Don and in Arkhangelsk

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Rostov-on-Don and in Arkhangelsk actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,137 in Rostov-on-Don versus $1,148 in Arkhangelsk.

  • Rostov-on-Don $1,137
  • Arkhangelsk $1,148

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,585 in Rostov-on-Don versus $1,777 in Arkhangelsk.

  • Rostov-on-Don $1,585
  • Arkhangelsk $1,777

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,032 in Rostov-on-Don versus $2,407 in Arkhangelsk.

  • Rostov-on-Don $2,032
  • Arkhangelsk $2,407

Living in Rostov-on-Don costs roughly 1% less than in Arkhangelsk, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both cities sit below the global median: Rostov-on-Don 16% lower, Arkhangelsk 15% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rostov-on-Don
Arkhangelsk
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.08 ₽924
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.08 ₽2,093
$48.98 ₽4,088
-48.80%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.73 ₽479
$9.39 ₽784
-38.98%
Cappuccino
$2.87 ₽239
$3.54 ₽296
-18.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11 ₽92.7
$2.49 ₽208
-55.42%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49 ₽40.72
$2.43 ₽203
-79.84%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.18 ₽98.7
$3.61 ₽301
-67.31%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94 ₽245
$6.20 ₽518
-52.58%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rostov-on-Don
Arkhangelsk
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 ₽90.9
$1.11 ₽92.3
-1.80%
White Bread (500g)
$0.74 ₽61.6
$1.00 ₽83.4
-26.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.28 ₽106
$1.84 ₽154
-30.43%
Eggs
$1.43 ₽119
$1.71 ₽143
-16.37%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.51 ₽794
$8.56 ₽714
11.10%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.16 ₽430
$5.97 ₽498
-13.57%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.15 ₽680
$13.13 ₽1,096
-37.93%
Apples (1kg)
$1.43 ₽119
$2.36 ₽197
-39.41%
Banana (1kg)
$1.82 ₽152
$1.86 ₽155
-2.15%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.44 ₽120
$1.19 ₽99.1
21.01%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.30 ₽192
$2.48 ₽207
-7.26%
Potato (1kg)
$0.68 ₽56.8
$0.84 ₽69.9
-19.05%
Onion (1kg)
$0.60 ₽49.87
$0.46 ₽38.70
30.43%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.05 ₽87.9
$0.47 ₽39.11
123.40%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.65 ₽54.6
$0.58 ₽48.12
12.07%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.74 ₽229
$3.00 ₽250
-8.67%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.18 ₽516
$8.70 ₽726
-28.97%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.89 ₽74.3
$0.89 ₽74.3
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99 ₽166
$2.98 ₽249
-33.22%
🚌 Getting Around
Rostov-on-Don
Arkhangelsk
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.54 ₽45.22
$0.60 ₽49.88
-10.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$14.45 ₽1,206
$53.6 ₽4,470
-73.02%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.65 ₽305
$4.76 ₽397
-23.32%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.14 ₽11.52
$0.19 ₽16.07
-26.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.97 ₽331
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.83 ₽69.2
$0.86 ₽71.5
-3.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$51.8K ₽4.3M
$51.7K ₽4.3M
0.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.6K ₽3.4M
$39.8K ₽3.3M
2.05%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rostov-on-Don
Arkhangelsk
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$126 ₽10.5K
$112 ₽9,358
11.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.31 ₽610
$9.64 ₽805
-24.17%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.70 ₽726
$17.99 ₽1,502
-51.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rostov-on-Don
Arkhangelsk
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$33.62 ₽2,806
$54.7 ₽4,566
-38.55%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.13 ₽1,764
$49.01 ₽4,091
-56.89%
Cinema Ticket
$5.46 ₽456
$9.92 ₽828
-44.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rostov-on-Don
Arkhangelsk
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$368 ₽30.7K
$180 ₽15.0K
104.60%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rostov-on-Don
Arkhangelsk
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.0 ₽4,671
$82.9 ₽6,921
-32.51%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.81 ₽3,740
$36.11 ₽3,014
24.09%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$108 ₽9,045
$73.0 ₽6,088
48.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106 ₽8,809
$98.3 ₽8,205
7.35%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rostov-on-Don
Arkhangelsk
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$633 ₽52.8K
$604 ₽50.4K
4.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$467 ₽39.0K
$426 ₽35.6K
9.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$908 ₽75.8K
$845 ₽70.5K
7.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$576 ₽48.1K
$729 ₽60.8K
-20.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,350 ₽196.1K
$1,390 ₽116.0K
68.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,486 ₽124.0K
$859 ₽71.7K
72.90%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rostov-on-Don
Arkhangelsk
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$834 ₽69.6K
$541 ₽45.1K
54.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
19.83
23
-13.78%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Rostov-on-Don: October 12, 2026

Last update for Arkhangelsk: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Rostov-on-Don
$460
Arkhangelsk
$420 8.7% $40
Groceries & Markets
Rostov-on-Don
$177
Arkhangelsk
$207 17.4% $31
Eating Out
Rostov-on-Don
$156
Arkhangelsk
$119 * 23.8% $37
Clothing & Footwear
Rostov-on-Don
$140
Arkhangelsk
$129 7.7% $11
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rostov-on-Don
$140
Arkhangelsk
$138 1.3% $1.8
Sport & Entertainment
Rostov-on-Don
$44
Arkhangelsk
$74 67.4% $30
Getting Around
Rostov-on-Don
$21
Arkhangelsk
$61 194% $40

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $624 in Rostov-on-Don and $596 in Arkhangelsk. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Rostov-on-Don pays 54% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $25.00 in Rostov-on-Don vs $48.00 in Arkhangelsk for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $177 vs $207 per month, with Rostov-on-Don cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇷🇺 Rostov-on-Don
🇷🇺 Arkhangelsk
🕒 Local time
12:36 12:36 PM
12:36 12:36 PM
Same time as Rostov-on-Don
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,114,806
344,927
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to RUB – Russian Ruble Converter

Russian Ruble exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 83.46 RUB (100 RUB = 1.2 USD). 1 EUR = 93.83 RUB (100 RUB = 1.07 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Rostov-on-Don Arkhangelsk 1,930 km ≈ 3 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Rostov-on-Don
  • Arkhangelsk

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Rostov-on-Don vs Arkhangelsk: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Rostov-on-Don and in Arkhangelsk?
Rostov-on-Don and Arkhangelsk differ by about 1% in total monthly costs ($1,137 vs $1,148 including rent). Rostov-on-Don is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Rostov-on-Don or Arkhangelsk?
Average pay runs 54% higher in Rostov-on-Don, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Rostov-on-Don and in Arkhangelsk?
Rent for a central apartment: $624 in Rostov-on-Don versus $596 in Arkhangelsk. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Rostov-on-Don or Arkhangelsk?
All in, you'll spend $1,137 per month in Rostov-on-Don versus $1,148 in Arkhangelsk – a 1% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Rostov-on-Don and in Arkhangelsk?
A monthly transit pass in Rostov-on-Don runs roughly 270% less than in Arkhangelsk. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,137 in Rostov-on-Don versus $1,148 in Arkhangelsk, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Rostov-on-Don but tight or insufficient in Arkhangelsk. The gap between the two cities makes Rostov-on-Don the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Rostov-on-Don and Arkhangelsk?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Rostov-on-Don or Arkhangelsk?
Expats usually find Rostov-on-Don gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1% less than in Arkhangelsk. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Rostov-on-Don vs other spots: cost of living compared

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