Cost of Living Comparison Between Taraz and Astana Cost of Living Comparison Between Taraz and Astana

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $553 per month in Taraz vs $912 in Astana, rent included.

A couple spends around $886 per month in Taraz vs $1,422 in Astana, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,220 per month in Taraz vs $1,933 in Astana, rent included.

Taraz is about 39% cheaper than Astana, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Taraz and Astana are more affordable than the global median – Taraz 59% lower, Astana 32% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.89 ₸2,885

$8.10 ₸3,971

-27.28%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.45 ₸9,534

$28.85 ₸14.1K

-32.58%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.71 ₸2,799

$5.76 ₸2,822

-0.87%

Cappuccino

$1.35 ₸663

$2.19 ₸1,075

-38.36%

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

$0.79 ₸388

$0.91 ₸448

-13.19%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 ₸184

$0.53 ₸261

-30.19%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.16 ₸567

$1.14 ₸559

1.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.58 ₸772

$2.95 ₸1,444

-46.44%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.01 ₸494

$1.01 ₸496

White Bread (500g)

$0.38 ₸185

$0.50 ₸247

-24.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.14 ₸557

$1.40 ₸686

-18.57%

Eggs

$1.73 ₸850

$1.79 ₸876

-3.35%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.55 ₸4,189

$9.34 ₸4,577

-8.46%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.61 ₸2,258

$4.73 ₸2,320

-2.54%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.18 ₸3,519

$6.96 ₸3,410

3.16%

Apples (1kg)

$1.31 ₸641

$1.36 ₸667

-3.68%

Banana (1kg)

$1.88 ₸923

$1.87 ₸915

0.53%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.90 ₸931

$1.92 ₸943

-1.04%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.88 ₸922

$1.97 ₸968

-4.57%

Potato (1kg)

$0.55 ₸268

$0.58 ₸286

-5.17%

Onion (1kg)

$0.38 ₸185

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.92 ₸452

$1.02 ₸499

-9.80%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.71 ₸349

$0.75 ₸367

-5.33%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.97 ₸966

$1.81 ₸885

8.84%

Wine (Bottle)

$3.97 ₸1,945

$9.14 ₸4,479

-56.56%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.01 ₸494

$1.02 ₸501

-0.98%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.52 ₸744

$1.70 ₸831

-10.59%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.16 ₸80.2

$0.21 ₸103

-23.81%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$14.56 ₸7,137

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.75 ₸368

$1.79 ₸876

-58.10%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.41 ₸202

$0.71 ₸348

-42.25%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.43 ₸1,680

$4.51 ₸2,211

-23.95%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.45 ₸221

$0.47 ₸228

-4.26%

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

$20.0K ₸9.8M

$20.7K ₸10.2M

-3.50%

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

$21.7K ₸10.6M

$24.7K ₸12.1M

-12.50%

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

$50.8 ₸24.9K

$53.9 ₸26.4K

-5.80%

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

$8.00 ₸3,922

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$7.83 ₸3,837

$13.90 ₸6,810

-43.67%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$32.35 ₸15.9K

$49.83 ₸24.4K

-35.08%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.16 ₸5,467

Cinema Ticket

$3.84 ₸1,881

$5.30 ₸2,595

-27.55%

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

$208 ₸102.0K

$238 ₸116.8K

-12.67%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,932 ₸2.4M

$4,790 ₸2.3M

2.98%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$23.71 ₸11.6K

$55.8 ₸27.3K

-57.49%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.49 ₸18.9K

$34.85 ₸17.1K

10.44%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.3 ₸48.7K

$88.8 ₸43.5K

11.80%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$59.1 ₸28.9K

$86.1 ₸42.2K

-31.40%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$236 ₸115.8K

$478 ₸234.2K

-50.57%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$99.6 ₸48.8K

$328 ₸160.6K

-69.61%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$390 ₸191.2K

$848 ₸415.8K

-54.01%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$173 ₸84.6K

$598 ₸292.9K

-71.12%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$783 ₸383.5K

$1,378 ₸675.4K

-43.22%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$558 ₸273.6K

$993 ₸486.5K

-43.76%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$252 ₸123.5K

$798 ₸391.2K

-68.43%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.25

16.12

0.81%

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

Last update for Taraz: May 31, 2026

Last update for Astana: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $236 in Taraz versus $478 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 217% higher in Astana, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Taraz versus $29.00 in Astana. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $161 vs $178 – making Taraz the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

Taraz vs Astana: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $553 in Taraz, $912 in Astana – roughly 65% apart. Astana costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $829 per month in Taraz and $1,367 in Astana. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Taraz, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Taraz and $29.00 in Astana. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 11% more in Astana, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Taraz, where all-in costs run around $553, than in Astana at $912. In Taraz it covers expenses comfortably, while in Astana it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Astana has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $553 in Taraz to $912 in Astana. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Taraz. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Astana makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.