Cost of Living in Irkutsk - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $655 (excluding rent), and $1,041 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,752 (excluding rent), and $2,406 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.01 ₽622

$5.54 ₽430

$16.03 ₽1,244

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.26 ₽2,736

$34 ₽2,639

$37.78 ₽2,932

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.36 ₽416

$4.98 ₽387

$7.47 ₽580

Cappuccino

$3.16 ₽246

$1.68 ₽130

$3.88 ₽301

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

$1.53 ₽119

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.43 ₽33.19

$0.37 ₽28.67

$0.99 ₽76.9

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.55 ₽120

$0.99 ₽77

$2.23 ₽173

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.52 ₽196

$4.41 ₽342

Milk (1 liter)

$1.43 ₽111

$1.15 ₽89.1

$1.91 ₽149

White Bread (500g)

$0.57 ₽44.07

$0.49 ₽38.1

$0.61 ₽47.06

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.7 ₽132

$0.87 ₽67.6

$2.12 ₽164

Eggs

$2.2 ₽171

$1.66 ₽129

$2.7 ₽210

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.26 ₽1,184

$5.09 ₽395

$25.43 ₽1,974

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.47 ₽502

$5.18 ₽402

$7.77 ₽603

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.66 ₽982

$10.12 ₽786

$16.45 ₽1,277

Apples (1kg)

$2.27 ₽176

$1.26 ₽98

$3 ₽233

Banana (1kg)

$2.5 ₽194

$2.21 ₽172

$2.6 ₽202

Oranges (1kg)

$3.02 ₽235

$2.52 ₽195

$3.53 ₽274

Tomato (1kg)

$4.67 ₽363

$4.45 ₽346

$5.1 ₽395

Potato (1kg)

$1.06 ₽82.3

$0.89 ₽69

$1.28 ₽99.5

Onion (1kg)

$0.9 ₽69.7

$0.64 ₽49.89

$1.14 ₽88.7

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.26 ₽175

$1.29 ₽100

$3.22 ₽250

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 ₽55.7

$0.58 ₽45.28

$0.98 ₽75.7

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.85 ₽299

$3.2 ₽249

$4.49 ₽348

Wine (Bottle)

$9.36 ₽726

$8.74 ₽679

$9.99 ₽775

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.17 ₽91.2

$1.11 ₽85.9

$1.23 ₽95.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.29 ₽178

$2.07 ₽161

$2.51 ₽195

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.48 ₽37.64

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$10.07 ₽781

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.88 ₽146

$1.25 ₽97.3

$3.76 ₽292

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.33 ₽25.56

$0.28 ₽21.8

$1.33 ₽103

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.54 ₽352

$3.11 ₽241

$5.98 ₽464

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.83 ₽64.2

$0.76 ₽58.7

$1.02 ₽79.3

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

$29.5K ₽2.3M

$15.1K ₽1.2M

$43.9K ₽3.4M

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

$25.5K ₽2M

$44.6K ₽3.5M

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

$97.1 ₽7,538

$77.7 ₽6,030

$110 ₽8,543

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

$6.62 ₽514

$6.21 ₽482

$7.45 ₽578

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$9.8 ₽760

$5.23 ₽406

$14.38 ₽1,116

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.67 ₽3,079

$25.6 ₽1,987

$64 ₽4,966

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.15 ₽1,099

$7.5 ₽582

$19.99 ₽1,551

Cinema Ticket

$4.96 ₽385

$4.33 ₽336

$6.19 ₽481

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

$290 ₽22.5K

$193 ₽15K

$386 ₽30K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,109 ₽551.8K

$4,524 ₽351.1K

$7,109 ₽551.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$37.73 ₽2,928

$23.15 ₽1,797

$64.3 ₽4,991

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.44 ₽2,983

$32.03 ₽2,486

$44.84 ₽3,480

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 ₽7,874

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 ₽8,343

$64.5 ₽5,005

$168 ₽13K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$540 ₽41.9K

$436 ₽33.8K

$685 ₽53.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$331 ₽25.7K

$255 ₽19.8K

$446 ₽34.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,195 ₽92.7K

$960 ₽74.5K

$1,344 ₽104.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$757 ₽58.7K

$567 ₽44K

$1,072 ₽83.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,067 ₽160.4K

$1,629 ₽126.4K

$2,506 ₽194.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,482 ₽115K

$1,261 ₽97.9K

$1,670 ₽129.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$729 ₽56.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

19.29

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

Last update: November 24, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Irkutsk - Frequently Asked Questions

Irkutsk offers solid value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, especially when you compare it with Russia's largest cities. Housing can be affordable outside the core districts, while groceries, dining, and services stay reasonable for a city of its size. Public transport is reliable, ride-hailing is common, and seasonal bargains appear in markets and entertainment. Cost of Living in Irkutsk reflects a stable mix of essentials, a strong local services scene, and easy access to nature on your doorstep. Tip: prioritize longer stays in a residential area near the river and main transit lines to keep costs steady.

Expect a mix of practical options and seasonal rhythms. For housing, search in central or nearby neighborhoods with good transit access; visits and online listings are common, and long leases can stabilize monthly spend. Food options range from markets with seasonal produce to reliable mid-range cafes and groceries. Local transit is straightforward, with bus, tram, and river routes; coworking spaces exist but can fill up during business hours or peak seasons. For errands, banking and postal services are reliable, and mobile payments grow steadily. Irkutsk living cost tends to stay relatively stable, with more value found just a short ride from the center. Tip: map a few favorite routes and keep a winter contingency plan.

Think in practical budgeting buckets: housing, food, transport, and leisure. Start by choosing a neighborhood that matches your routine – near riverfront paths, markets, and reliable transit. Winter shifts matter, so plan for heating and warm clothing as part of ongoing expenses. Use a simple framework: essentials, flexible extras, and a small buffer for travel or emergencies. Seasonal changes impact markets, nightlife, and outdoor activities, so your plan should adapt accordingly. Central districts offer walkability and density; outer areas provide space and calmer living. Tip: test a few neighborhoods with week-long stays before signing any lease.