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 $2,643 per month in United States vs $759 in Kazakhstan, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $1,192 in Kazakhstan, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,070 per month in United States vs $1,624 in Kazakhstan, rent included.

United States costs about 248% more than Kazakhstan on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 97% above the global median, while Kazakhstan is 43% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

United States has a wider regional cost range ($1,343$5,081) than Kazakhstan ($553$1,057), so location matters more when choosing where to live in United States.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Kazakhstan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.04 $20.04
$7.75 ₸3,766
158.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.0 $76.0
$29.41 ₸14.3K
158.48%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.42 $11.42
$6.48 ₸3,150
76.23%
Cappuccino
$5.39 $5.39
$2.02 ₸983
166.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.55 $2.55
$0.94 ₸455
171.28%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04 $2.04
$0.49 ₸238
316.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.14 $6.14
$1.14 ₸552
438.60%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.18 $7.18
$2.39 ₸1,163
200.42%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Kazakhstan
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$1.11 ₸539
-6.31%
White Bread (500g)
$3.65 $3.65
$0.44 ₸214
729.55%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.73 $4.73
$1.40 ₸680
237.86%
Eggs
$4.38 $4.38
$1.60 ₸779
173.75%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.76 $12.76
$9.16 ₸4,450
39.30%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.42 $12.42
$4.56 ₸2,214
172.37%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.41 $16.41
$7.08 ₸3,439
131.78%
Apples (1kg)
$5.42 $5.42
$1.29 ₸626
320.16%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 $1.65
$1.87 ₸908
-11.76%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.59 $4.59
$1.94 ₸941
136.60%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.91 $4.91
$1.98 ₸964
147.98%
Potato (1kg)
$2.92 $2.92
$0.63 ₸304
363.49%
Onion (1kg)
$3.13 $3.13
$0.40 ₸194
682.50%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.26 $2.26
$1.11 ₸540
103.60%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.30 $2.30
$0.75 ₸366
206.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.89 $9.89
$1.92 ₸934
415.10%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.10 $15.10
$7.96 ₸3,865
89.70%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$0.88 ₸427
117.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 $3.66
$1.77 ₸862
106.78%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Kazakhstan
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.48 $2.48
$0.24 ₸117
933.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$64.8 $64.8
$14.73 ₸7,154
340.12%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.84 $3.84
$1.16 ₸563
231.03%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.76 $1.76
$0.66 ₸322
166.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.58 $30.58
$4.68 ₸2,272
553.42%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$0.46 ₸222
108.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.5K $30.5K
$21.5K ₸10.5M
41.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K $26.4K
$25.3K ₸12.3M
4.34%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Kazakhstan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$204 $204
$57.0 ₸27.7K
258.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.3 $57.3
$8.99 ₸4,367
537.04%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.2 $71.2
$13.13 ₸6,378
442.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Kazakhstan
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$46.67 $46.67
$42.98 ₸20.9K
8.59%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.12 $22.12
$15.14 ₸7,357
46.10%
Cinema Ticket
$13.84 $13.84
$4.99 ₸2,426
177.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Kazakhstan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,384 $1,384
$243 ₸118.1K
469.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.7K $22.7K
$6,932 ₸3.4M
227.51%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Kazakhstan
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.0 $53.0
$64.6 ₸31.4K
-18.02%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.17 $43.17
$42.14 ₸20.5K
2.44%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.6 $90.6
$91.4 ₸44.4K
-0.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$93.8 ₸45.6K
21.81%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Kazakhstan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,766 $1,766
$458 ₸222.4K
285.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,459 $1,459
$301 ₸146.2K
384.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,832 $2,832
$888 ₸431.3K
218.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,411 $2,411
$572 ₸277.9K
321.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,287 $3,287
$1,399 ₸679.5K
135.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,650 $2,650
$968 ₸470.4K
173.64%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Kazakhstan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,379 $4,379
$641 ₸311.3K
583.22%
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: May 30, 2026

Last update for Kazakhstan: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,637 in United States vs $333 in Kazakhstan. For reference, capital cities sit at $2,591 in Washington, DC and $478 in Astana.

Average salary: $4,500 in United States vs $510 in Kazakhstan. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 392% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 170% more in United States.

Public transport is 525% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 782% higher in United States, giving United States stronger purchasing power.

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 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 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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