🙂A single person spends $658 per month in Shenyang vs $666 in Aktobe, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,080 per month in Shenyang vs $1,065 in Aktobe, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,503 per month in Shenyang vs $1,463 in Aktobe, rent included.
🙂Shenyang is about 1% cheaper than Aktobe, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Shenyang and Aktobe are more affordable than the global median – Shenyang51% lower, Aktobe50% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Shenyang
Aktobe
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.85¥19.24
$7.95₸3,898
-64.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.79¥141
$29.27₸14.3K
-28.97%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.78¥32.30
$6.29₸3,083
-24.01%
Cappuccino
$2.70¥18.23
$1.78₸873
51.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45¥3.05
$1.40₸684
-67.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38¥2.55
$0.49₸240
-22.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.87¥5.87
$1.53₸752
-43.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03¥13.74
$2.18₸1,068
-6.88%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Shenyang
Aktobe
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.94¥13.09
$1.15₸562
68.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.89¥12.77
$0.27₸133
600.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.99¥6.72
$1.10₸537
-10.00%
Eggs
$1.09¥7.39
$1.47₸719
-25.85%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.52¥64.4
$8.27₸4,053
15.11%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.92¥19.76
$4.82₸2,363
-39.42%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.09¥81.8
$7.01₸3,433
72.47%
Apples(1kg)
$1.40¥9.44
$1.37₸670
2.19%
Banana(1kg)
$1.02¥6.92
$1.99₸977
-48.74%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.81¥5.49
$2.32₸1,137
-65.09%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.24¥8.36
$1.92₸941
-35.42%
Potato(1kg)
$0.51¥3.46
$0.79₸385
-35.44%
Onion(1kg)
$0.61¥4.14
$0.29₸140
110.34%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.41¥2.75
$0.75₸368
-45.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63¥4.29
$0.63₸311
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.22¥21.74
$1.83₸896
75.96%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.71¥113
$5.05₸2,473
230.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.72¥4.86
$0.93₸454
-22.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.95¥6.41
$1.54₸757
-38.31%
🚌 Getting Around
Shenyang
Aktobe
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.37¥2.47
$0.18₸86.4
105.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.72¥79.2
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.28¥8.64
$0.99₸485
29.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28¥1.90
$1.03₸506
-72.82%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.45¥23.31
$4.58₸2,244
-24.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14¥7.73
$0.49₸238
132.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1K¥122.3K
$17.6K₸8.6M
2.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.8K¥127.2K
$19.3K₸9.5M
-2.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Shenyang
Aktobe
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$66.5¥450
$40.47₸19.8K
64.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.49¥98.0
$10.26₸5,028
41.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.72¥92.8
$10.78₸5,281
27.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Shenyang
Aktobe
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.58¥139
$28.77₸14.1K
-28.47%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.21¥41.98
$9.68₸4,745
-35.85%
Cinema Ticket
$4.82¥32.62
$4.95₸2,428
-2.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Shenyang
Aktobe
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$466¥3,151
$212₸103.7K
120.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$25.0K¥169.3K
$4,966₸2.4M
404.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Shenyang
Aktobe
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.92¥331
$33.99₸16.7K
43.92%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.25¥211
$29.76₸14.6K
5.01%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$73.8¥499
$90.9₸44.6K
-18.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.4¥530
$63.9₸31.3K
22.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Shenyang
Aktobe
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$231¥1,560
$225₸110.1K
2.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$145¥983
$189₸92.4K
-22.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$510¥3,448
$348₸170.6K
46.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$328¥2,216
$282₸138.2K
16.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,285¥15.5K
$775₸379.8K
194.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,313¥8,880
$487₸238.6K
169.69%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Shenyang
Aktobe
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,089¥7,365
$510₸249.9K
113.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.27
18.39
-71.34%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Shenyang: June 1, 2026
Last update for Aktobe: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $231 in Shenyang versus $225 in Aktobe. 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 114% higher in Shenyang, 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 $21.00 in Shenyang versus $29.00 in Aktobe. Groceries tell a different story – $200 in Shenyang vs $163 in Aktobe – so Aktobe 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
Shenyang vs Aktobe: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aktobe cheaper than Shenyang?
Yes – Aktobe is pricier by about 1%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $987 per month in Shenyang and $999 in Aktobe. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Shenyang, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Shenyang vs Aktobe?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $658 in Shenyang and $666 in Aktobe. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $466 per month in Shenyang and $212 in Aktobe. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $800 enough for either Shenyang or Aktobe?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $658 in Shenyang and $666 in Aktobe, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Is Shenyang or Aktobe more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Shenyang – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Shenyang. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Aktobe makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.