Cost of Living Comparison Between Tashkent and Aktau Cost of Living Comparison Between Tashkent and Aktau

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,019 per month in Tashkent vs $779 in Aktau, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,611 per month in Tashkent vs $1,299 in Aktau, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,204 per month in Tashkent vs $1,818 in Aktau, rent included.

Tashkent costs about 31% more than Aktau, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Tashkent and Aktau are more affordable than the global median – Tashkent 26% lower, Aktau 43% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tashkent
Aktau
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.62 UZS 78.0K
$10.90 ₸4,961
-39.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.41 UZS 393.5K
$43.96 ₸20.0K
-24.00%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.06 UZS 59.6K
$9.92 ₸4,515
-48.99%
Cappuccino
$2.57 UZS 30.3K
$2.52 ₸1,145
1.98%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70 UZS 8,240
$0.77 ₸353
-9.09%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27 UZS 3,144
$0.44 ₸201
-38.64%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.56 UZS 18.3K
$1.33 ₸606
17.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.46 UZS 40.8K
$1.54 ₸699
124.68%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tashkent
Aktau
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.25 UZS 14.8K
$1.37 ₸624
-8.76%
White Bread (500g)
$0.78 UZS 9,197
$0.43 ₸195
81.40%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.69 UZS 20.0K
$1.86 ₸846
-9.14%
Eggs
$1.89 UZS 22.3K
$1.71 ₸779
10.53%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.49 UZS 100.0K
$9.88 ₸4,494
-14.07%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.32 UZS 50.9K
$4.15 ₸1,887
4.10%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.82 UZS 151.0K
$8.64 ₸3,933
48.38%
Apples (1kg)
$1.50 UZS 17.7K
$1.49 ₸677
0.67%
Banana (1kg)
$1.88 UZS 22.2K
$2.21 ₸1,004
-14.93%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.38 UZS 28.0K
$2.26 ₸1,026
5.31%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.75 UZS 20.6K
$2.82 ₸1,284
-37.94%
Potato (1kg)
$0.57 UZS 6,686
$0.61 ₸277
-6.56%
Onion (1kg)
$0.38 UZS 4,512
$0.52 ₸236
-26.92%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.02 UZS 12.0K
$1.51 ₸686
-32.45%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46 UZS 5,399
$0.91 ₸414
-49.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.05 UZS 24.1K
$2.68 ₸1,217
-23.51%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.67 UZS 90.3K
$9.08 ₸4,132
-15.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.40 UZS 16.4K
$0.71 ₸322
97.18%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.61 UZS 42.5K
$0.85 ₸388
324.71%
🚌 Getting Around
Tashkent
Aktau
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.14 UZS 1,682
$0.17 ₸78.9
-17.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.80 UZS 150.8K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.81 UZS 9,574
$1.11 ₸506
-27.03%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.33 UZS 3,925
$0.63 ₸285
-47.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.32 UZS 39.1K
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.15 UZS 13.5K
$0.58 ₸266
98.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.7K UZS 196.2M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.9K UZS 293.5M
$29.8K ₸13.6M
-16.50%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tashkent
Aktau
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$67.1 UZS 790.4K
$44.86 ₸20.4K
49.55%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.25 UZS 50.1K
$7.98 ₸3,630
-46.74%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.79 UZS 162.5K
$10.45 ₸4,756
31.96%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tashkent
Aktau
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.3 UZS 733.6K
$35.08 ₸16.0K
77.51%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.22 UZS 214.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.87 UZS 69.1K
$2.95 ₸1,343
98.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tashkent
Aktau
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$322 UZS 3.8M
$139 ₸63.2K
132.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,791 UZS 115.3M
$2,557 ₸1.2M
282.84%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tashkent
Aktau
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.4 UZS 616.9K
$65.1 ₸29.6K
-19.58%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$60.3 UZS 710.1K
$38.72 ₸17.6K
55.68%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$109 UZS 1.3M
$71.2 ₸32.4K
53.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$136 UZS 1.6M
$87.1 ₸39.6K
56.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tashkent
Aktau
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$598 UZS 7.0M
$326 ₸148.4K
83.31%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$380 UZS 4.5M
$191 ₸86.8K
99.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,205 UZS 14.2M
$538 ₸244.6K
124.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$729 UZS 8.6M
$383 ₸174.4K
90.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,679 UZS 19.8M
$777 ₸353.6K
116.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$965 UZS 11.4M
$642 ₸292.3K
50.17%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tashkent
Aktau
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$773 UZS 9.1M
$543 ₸247.1K
42.35%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
23.31
14
66.50%

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

Last update for Tashkent: August 30, 2026

Last update for Aktau: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $598 in Tashkent versus $326 in Aktau. 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 42% higher in Tashkent, 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 $33.00 in Tashkent versus $44.00 in Aktau. Groceries tell a different story – $199 in Tashkent vs $196 in Aktau – so Aktau 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
Tashkent vs Aktau: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tashkent or Aktau?
Tashkent costs about 31% more than Aktau, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Tashkent and in Aktau?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,529 per month in Tashkent and $1,169 in Aktau. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tashkent or Aktau?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Aktau, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Tashkent and in Aktau?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Tashkent and $44.00 in Aktau. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Tashkent or in Aktau?
Groceries cost about 2% more in Tashkent, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Tashkent or in Aktau?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Aktau, where all-in costs run around $779, than in Tashkent at $1,019. In Aktau it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tashkent it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Aktau – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Tashkent compared to Aktau?
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.
Should I move to Tashkent or to Aktau?
If budget matters most, go with Aktau. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Tashkent makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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