Cost of Living Comparison Between Shymkent and Semey Cost of Living Comparison Between Shymkent and Semey

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $675 in Shymkent versus $694 in Semey.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,087 in Shymkent versus $1,111 in Semey.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,499 in Shymkent versus $1,528 in Semey.

Living in Shymkent costs roughly 3% less than in Semey, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Shymkent 50% lower, Semey 48% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.50 ₸4,392

$4.43 ₸2,049

114.45%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.72 ₸9,120

$26.96 ₸12.5K

-26.85%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.93 ₸3,206

$4.65 ₸2,152

49.03%

Cappuccino

$1.80 ₸832

$1.54 ₸710

16.88%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.02 ₸471

$0.91 ₸421

12.09%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.41 ₸189

$0.56 ₸257

-26.79%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.19 ₸552

$1.15 ₸533

3.48%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 ₸838

$1.84 ₸853

-1.63%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.15 ₸530

$0.68 ₸315

69.12%

White Bread (500g)

$0.28 ₸129

$0.34 ₸159

-17.65%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.64 ₸759

$1.66 ₸768

-1.20%

Eggs

$1.44 ₸666

$1.28 ₸592

12.50%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.24 ₸3,810

$8.75 ₸4,048

-5.83%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.24 ₸1,962

$4.50 ₸2,079

-5.78%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.53 ₸3,020

$7.07 ₸3,269

-7.64%

Apples (1kg)

$0.94 ₸435

$1.29 ₸595

-27.13%

Banana (1kg)

$1.79 ₸827

$1.95 ₸902

-8.21%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.91 ₸883

$1.97 ₸910

-3.05%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.01 ₸467

$1.89 ₸874

-46.56%

Potato (1kg)

$0.47 ₸218

$0.56 ₸259

-16.07%

Onion (1kg)

$0.35 ₸162

$0.37 ₸173

-5.41%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.79 ₸364

$1.00 ₸463

-21.00%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.64 ₸294

$0.77 ₸355

-16.88%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.92 ₸889

$2.60 ₸1,203

-26.15%

Wine (Bottle)

$4.38 ₸2,023

$6.82 ₸3,152

-35.78%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.01 ₸466

$0.94 ₸437

7.45%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.39 ₸644

$1.61 ₸742

-13.66%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.15 ₸70.8

$0.18 ₸81.1

-16.67%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.84 ₸389

$1.02 ₸473

-17.65%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.67 ₸312

$0.67 ₸311

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.83 ₸2,696

$4.79 ₸2,216

21.71%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.49 ₸229

$0.46 ₸213

6.52%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$19.5K ₸9.0M

$20.1K ₸9.3M

-2.82%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.4K ₸11.3M

$24.7K ₸11.4M

-1.18%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$50.1 ₸23.2K

$50.3 ₸23.2K

-0.28%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$8.52 ₸3,938

$8.62 ₸3,987

-1.16%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$12.63 ₸5,838

$12.89 ₸5,959

-2.02%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.54 ₸15.5K

$33.61 ₸15.5K

-0.21%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.74 ₸3,579

$9.68 ₸4,476

-20.04%

Cinema Ticket

$4.77 ₸2,205

$4.36 ₸2,018

9.40%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$48.41 ₸22.4K

$214 ₸99.1K

-77.40%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,897 ₸2.3M

$4,808 ₸2.2M

1.87%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$32.48 ₸15.0K

$56.4 ₸26.1K

-42.41%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.48 ₸14.1K

$35.66 ₸16.5K

-14.53%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$122 ₸56.5K

$87.9 ₸40.7K

39.01%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.94 ₸21.7K

$78.4 ₸36.3K

-40.15%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$303 ₸140.2K

$312 ₸144.2K

-2.74%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$176 ₸81.6K

$201 ₸92.8K

-12.07%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$460 ₸212.6K

$520 ₸240.3K

-11.54%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$354 ₸163.9K

$386 ₸178.2K

-8.06%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,091 ₸504.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$956 ₸442.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$437 ₸202.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

19.5

18.39

6.04%

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

Last update for Shymkent: April 27, 2026

Last update for Semey: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $303 in Shymkent and $312 in Semey. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $20.00 in Shymkent vs $27.00 in Semey for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $150 vs $165 per month, with Shymkent cheaper across the board.

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

Shymkent vs Semey: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Shymkent is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 3% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,013 in Shymkent and $1,041 in Semey to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Rent for a central apartment: $303 in Shymkent versus $312 in Semey. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Childcare runs $48.41 in Shymkent versus $214 in Semey. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.

Dining out is cheaper in Shymkent – a meal for two runs $20.00 versus $27.00 in Semey. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Shymkent gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

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.

Safety-wise, Shymkent and Semey are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Shymkent gentler on the wallet – expenses run 3% less than in Semey. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.