Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Kazakhstan Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Kazakhstan

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,642 per month in United States vs $759 in Kazakhstan, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $1,190 in Kazakhstan, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,072 per month in United States vs $1,620 in Kazakhstan, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 248% higher than in Kazakhstan on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 98% above the global median, while Kazakhstan is 43% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

The regional cost range is wider in United States ($1,335$5,182) than in Kazakhstan ($555$1,080), so city choice matters more there.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Kazakhstan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.63 $19.63
$7.67 ₸3,600
155.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.4 $75.4
$29.01 ₸13.6K
160.05%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.57 $11.57
$6.79 ₸3,186
70.40%
Cappuccino
$5.22 $5.22
$2.12 ₸996
146.23%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 $2.49
$0.87 ₸408
186.21%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06 $2.06
$0.49 ₸229
320.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.91 $5.91
$1.14 ₸536
418.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.13 $7.13
$2.37 ₸1,114
200.84%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Kazakhstan
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$1.15 ₸538
-5.22%
White Bread (500g)
$3.56 $3.56
$0.45 ₸211
691.11%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.74 $4.74
$1.41 ₸660
236.17%
Eggs
$4.34 $4.34
$1.65 ₸775
163.03%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.68 $12.68
$8.95 ₸4,196
41.68%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.28 $12.28
$4.64 ₸2,175
164.66%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.60 $16.60
$7.30 ₸3,425
127.40%
Apples (1kg)
$5.16 $5.16
$1.29 ₸603
300.00%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 $1.70
$1.92 ₸900
-11.46%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.45 $4.45
$1.97 ₸923
125.89%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.80 $4.80
$1.95 ₸917
146.15%
Potato (1kg)
$2.93 $2.93
$0.61 ₸287
380.33%
Onion (1kg)
$3.09 $3.09
$0.43 ₸202
618.60%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.22 $2.22
$1.06 ₸497
109.43%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.25 $2.25
$0.71 ₸333
216.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.90 $9.90
$2.00 ₸940
395.00%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.28 $15.28
$8.10 ₸3,798
88.64%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$0.89 ₸419
114.61%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58 $3.58
$1.83 ₸857
95.63%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Kazakhstan
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.46 $2.46
$0.24 ₸113
925.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$64.6 $64.6
$14.71 ₸6,902
339.43%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.77 $3.77
$1.15 ₸540
227.83%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.71 $1.71
$0.72 ₸337
137.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.08 $30.08
$4.64 ₸2,178
548.28%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$0.46 ₸217
108.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K $29.9K
$21.3K ₸10.0M
40.35%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
$25.5K ₸12.0M
2.49%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Kazakhstan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$210 $210
$57.4 ₸26.9K
265.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.3 $56.3
$8.73 ₸4,097
544.79%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.9 $72.9
$13.19 ₸6,187
452.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Kazakhstan
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.39 $45.39
$42.09 ₸19.7K
7.84%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.60 $21.60
$15.60 ₸7,319
38.46%
Cinema Ticket
$14.04 $14.04
$4.75 ₸2,230
195.58%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Kazakhstan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,377 $1,377
$239 ₸112.1K
476.45%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$6,936 ₸3.3M
222.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Kazakhstan
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.7 $52.7
$64.6 ₸30.3K
-18.34%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.41 $42.41
$42.14 ₸19.8K
0.64%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.8 $91.8
$89.6 ₸42.0K
2.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$95.7 ₸44.9K
18.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Kazakhstan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,765 $1,765
$455 ₸213.7K
287.47%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,462 $1,462
$307 ₸144.1K
375.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,849 $2,849
$873 ₸409.6K
226.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,369 $2,369
$585 ₸274.2K
305.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,364 $3,364
$1,458 ₸683.8K
130.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,665 $2,665
$1,003 ₸470.6K
165.66%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Kazakhstan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,378 $4,378
$650 ₸304.8K
573.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
17.91
-63.65%

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

Last update for United States: July 12, 2026

Last update for Kazakhstan: July 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,635 in United States vs $330 in Kazakhstan. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,625 in Washington, MI and $467 in Astana.

Average salary: $4,500 in United States vs $524 in Kazakhstan. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 395% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 170% more in United States.

Public transport is 525% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 759% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in United States.

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
United States vs Kazakhstan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kazakhstan more expensive than United States?
Kazakhstan is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 299% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Kazakhstan, contributing to the overall 299% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Kazakhstan or in United States?
$1,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Kazakhstan, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Kazakhstan or to United States?
Kazakhstan is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.

United States vs other spots: cost of living compared

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