🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $859 in Yaroslavl versus $1,302 in Saint Petersburg.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,307 in Yaroslavl versus $2,049 in Saint Petersburg.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,755 in Yaroslavl versus $2,796 in Saint Petersburg.
🙂Living in Yaroslavl costs roughly 34% less than in Saint Petersburg, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Yaroslavl36% lower, Saint Petersburg3% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Yaroslavl
Saint Petersburg
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.48₽619
$9.60₽701
-11.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$31.14₽2,273
$49.48₽3,612
-37.07%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.11₽446
$5.65₽413
8.14%
Cappuccino
$2.13₽155
$2.60₽189
-18.08%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.95₽69.6
$1.07₽78.4
-11.21%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34₽24.91
$0.61₽44.72
-44.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67₽122
$3.22₽235
-48.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.61₽118
$3.85₽281
-58.18%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Yaroslavl
Saint Petersburg
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06₽77.0
$1.16₽85.0
-8.62%
White Bread(500g)
$0.58₽42.41
$0.96₽70.2
-39.58%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.25₽91.4
$1.62₽118
-22.84%
Eggs
$1.30₽95.1
$1.86₽136
-30.11%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.32₽534
$12.44₽908
-41.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.25₽310
$5.24₽383
-18.89%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.34₽536
$10.85₽792
-32.35%
Apples(1kg)
$1.78₽130
$1.68₽122
5.95%
Banana(1kg)
$1.92₽140
$1.85₽135
3.78%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.02₽147
$1.93₽141
4.66%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.76₽275
$3.47₽253
8.36%
Potato(1kg)
$0.99₽72.3
$0.89₽64.7
11.24%
Onion(1kg)
$0.81₽58.9
$0.65₽47.25
24.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.24₽17.42
$1.30₽94.6
-81.54%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.76₽55.5
$0.73₽53.3
4.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.50₽182
$3.03₽221
-17.49%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.60₽628
$9.85₽719
-12.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.74₽54.0
$1.05₽76.7
-29.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.54₽112
$2.06₽150
-25.24%
🚌 Getting Around
Yaroslavl
Saint Petersburg
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.50₽36.19
$0.86₽62.4
-41.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.34₽1,630
$52.4₽3,824
-57.35%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.56₽187
$2.83₽207
-9.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.22₽16.03
$0.56₽40.60
-60.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89₽576
$7.56₽552
4.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.71₽52.1
$0.74₽53.8
-4.05%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.6K₽2.8M
$37.9K₽2.8M
1.76%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2K₽1.8M
$37.7K₽2.8M
-33.17%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Yaroslavl
Saint Petersburg
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$97.3₽7,104
$134₽9,761
-27.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.09₽225
$6.66₽486
-53.60%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.67₽414
$7.06₽515
-19.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Yaroslavl
Saint Petersburg
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$24.12₽1,760
$37.57₽2,742
-35.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.86₽939
$22.95₽1,675
-43.97%
Cinema Ticket
$4.41₽322
$5.88₽429
-25.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Yaroslavl
Saint Petersburg
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$257₽18.8K
$403₽29.4K
-36.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.9K₽1.1M
$9,670₽705.8K
54.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Yaroslavl
Saint Petersburg
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.25₽3,522
$98.5₽7,188
-51.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.6₽3,689
$53.4₽3,895
-5.28%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$131₽9,553
$114₽8,356
14.33%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$125₽9,099
$135₽9,846
-7.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Yaroslavl
Saint Petersburg
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$327₽23.9K
$794₽58.0K
-58.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$232₽17.0K
$471₽34.3K
-50.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$642₽46.8K
$1,417₽103.4K
-54.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$347₽25.3K
$899₽65.6K
-61.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,565₽187.2K
$4,914₽358.7K
-47.80%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,299₽94.8K
$3,083₽225.0K
-57.87%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Yaroslavl
Saint Petersburg
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$978₽71.4K
$1,319₽96.3K
-25.82%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
14.48
24.95
-41.96%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Yaroslavl: June 1, 2026
Last update for Saint Petersburg: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $327 in Yaroslavl and $794 in Saint Petersburg. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Saint Petersburg pays 35% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $31.00 in Yaroslavl vs $49.00 in Saint Petersburg for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $178 vs $223 per month, with Yaroslavl cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Yaroslavl vs Saint Petersburg: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Yaroslavl or Saint Petersburg?
Yaroslavl wins on cost – living expenses run 52% lower than in Saint Petersburg. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Yaroslavl the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Yaroslavl or Saint Petersburg?
On paper, Saint Petersburg earns 35% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Yaroslavl vs Saint Petersburg?
Rent for a central apartment: $327 in Yaroslavl versus $794 in Saint Petersburg. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Yaroslavl compared to Saint Petersburg?
All in, you'll spend $859 per month in Yaroslavl versus $1,302 in Saint Petersburg – a 52% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Yaroslavl vs Saint Petersburg?
A monthly transit pass in Yaroslavl runs roughly 134% less than in Saint Petersburg. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Yaroslavl or Saint Petersburg?
At $859 in Yaroslavl versus $1,302 in Saint Petersburg, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Yaroslavl but tight or insufficient in Saint Petersburg. The gap between the two cities makes Yaroslavl the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Yaroslavl or Saint Petersburg?
Both work as nomad bases, but Yaroslavl delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $859 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Yaroslavl hard to pass up.
How safe is Yaroslavl compared to Saint Petersburg?
Safety-wise, Yaroslavl and Saint Petersburg are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Yaroslavl gentler on the wallet – expenses run 52% less than in Saint Petersburg. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.