Cost of Living in Russia - Updated Prices & Insights

46.59

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $629 (excluding rent), and $1,148 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,612 (excluding rent), and $2,500 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.34 ₽825

$5.17 ₽413

$20.68 ₽1,650

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45 ₽3,590

$30.86 ₽2,462

$77.1 ₽6,155

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.24 ₽498

$5 ₽399

$7.49 ₽598

Cappuccino

$2.59 ₽207

$1.29 ₽103

$4.51 ₽360

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

$1.17 ₽93.5

$0.84 ₽66.9

$1.92 ₽153

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.51 ₽40.55

$0.36 ₽29.07

$1.09 ₽87.2

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.61 ₽209

$0.92 ₽73.1

$5.23 ₽417

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.18 ₽254

$1.91 ₽152

$6.38 ₽509

Milk (1 liter)

$1.15 ₽92.1

$0.87 ₽69.4

$1.49 ₽119

White Bread (500g)

$0.72 ₽57.5

$0.45 ₽35.64

$1.29 ₽103

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.48 ₽118

$0.88 ₽70.4

$2.14 ₽171

Eggs

$1.76 ₽140

$1.17 ₽93.5

$2.24 ₽178

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.26 ₽898

$6.36 ₽507

$19.08 ₽1,522

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.32 ₽424

$3.48 ₽278

$7.59 ₽606

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.21 ₽814

$5.8 ₽463

$15.48 ₽1,235

Apples (1kg)

$1.85 ₽147

$1.03 ₽81.9

$2.86 ₽229

Banana (1kg)

$1.96 ₽157

$1.3 ₽104

$2.64 ₽211

Oranges (1kg)

$2.17 ₽173

$1.05 ₽83.6

$3.91 ₽312

Tomato (1kg)

$3.16 ₽252

$1.28 ₽102

$5.11 ₽408

Potato (1kg)

$0.91 ₽72.6

$0.4 ₽31.71

$1.44 ₽115

Onion (1kg)

$0.69 ₽54.7

$0.37 ₽29.27

$1.04 ₽83.2

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.37 ₽109

$0.62 ₽49.5

$2.37 ₽189

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.74 ₽58.9

$0.52 ₽41.46

$1.18 ₽94.5

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.12 ₽249

$2.6 ₽207

$3.76 ₽300

Wine (Bottle)

$7.69 ₽613

$5.13 ₽409

$12.81 ₽1,022

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1 ₽79.8

$0.75 ₽60

$1.5 ₽120

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 ₽163

$1.16 ₽92.2

$3.21 ₽256

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.49 ₽39.1

$0.4 ₽32.2

$0.86 ₽68.2

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$34.06 ₽2,718

$18.29 ₽1,459

$53.2 ₽4,242

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.45 ₽195

$1.3 ₽103

$3.89 ₽310

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.36 ₽28.38

$0.18 ₽14.19

$1.11 ₽88.5

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.48 ₽517

$3.89 ₽310

$11.66 ₽930

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.78 ₽62.2

$0.72 ₽57.3

$0.85 ₽68

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

$38K ₽3M

$28.2K ₽2.3M

$44.3K ₽3.5M

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

$35.6K ₽2.8M

$31.7K ₽2.5M

$44.4K ₽3.5M

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

$121 ₽9,681

$82.4 ₽6,577

$189 ₽15.1K

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

$6.31 ₽503

$3.73 ₽297

$9.93 ₽793

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$7.66 ₽612

$5.62 ₽449

$12.34 ₽984

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.28 ₽3,214

$19.36 ₽1,545

$77.4 ₽6,179

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.32 ₽1,701

$12.56 ₽1,002

$34.32 ₽2,738

Cinema Ticket

$5.77 ₽460

$4.49 ₽358

$7.7 ₽614

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

$402 ₽32.1K

$252 ₽20.1K

$882 ₽70.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,235 ₽736.9K

$4,549 ₽363K

$25.3K ₽2M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$78.2 ₽6,240

$31.45 ₽2,509

$151 ₽12K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.63 ₽3,641

$23.92 ₽1,908

$88.1 ₽7,030

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$115 ₽9,165

$63.4 ₽5,060

$190 ₽15.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 ₽9,119

$56.8 ₽4,528

$202 ₽16.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$602 ₽48K

$361 ₽28.8K

$1,345 ₽107.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$383 ₽30.6K

$259 ₽20.6K

$760 ₽60.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,151 ₽91.9K

$642 ₽51.2K

$3,208 ₽255.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$739 ₽58.9K

$442 ₽35.3K

$1,401 ₽111.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,028 ₽241.6K

$1,630 ₽130.1K

$8,887 ₽709.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,029 ₽161.9K

$1,280 ₽102.1K

$3,974 ₽317.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$814 ₽64.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.88

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

Cost of Living in Russia - Frequently Asked Questions

Russia presents a wide range of value depending on location and lifestyle. The Cost of Living in Russia varies by city: Moscow and Saint Petersburg tend to be pricier in core neighborhoods, while many regional towns offer more breathing room for housing and daily expenses. A practical strategy is to pair a comfortable base in a mid-sized city with occasional trips to the capitals. For housing, look for rentals outside central districts; for food, cook at home or explore local markets; use fast trains and metro for transit. Tip: Start with a short stay in multiple neighborhoods to gauge value and comfort.

Daily life in Russia centers around your location. In larger cities, housing search often leans toward rentals in transit-friendly districts with good access to groceries and cafes; you may encounter a mix of modern towers, older walk-ups, and occasional shared options. Food choices range from local markets and affordable eateries to mid-range restaurants, with cooking at home remaining a budget-friendly staple. Public transit – especially the metro – offers reliable, cost-effective movement, while intercity trains connect regions for weekend getaways. Co-working spaces, libraries, and cafés provide flexible work spots in urban cores. Russia living cost helps you frame daily spending across cities. Tip: Map a month-long itinerary to test neighborhoods before committing.

Quality of life in Russia depends on climate, culture, and how you connect with a neighborhood. Build a simple budgeting framework by categorizing essentials: housing, groceries, utilities, transport, and leisure, and adjust as you sample different cities. To save, opt for housing with utilities included when possible, use public transit, shop at local markets, and take advantage of free cultural events or museums with days/discounts. Winters require planning for heating and clothing, so indoor comfort matters as much as outdoor exploration. For neighborhood fit, prioritize proximity to transit lines, grocery stores, clinics, and coworking spaces, while testing several districts for vibe and safety. Tip: Keep a flexible calendar to adapt to seasonal shifts.