Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,963 (excluding rent), and $3,112 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,482 (excluding rent), and $6,545 including rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$34.85TMT 117
$14.52TMT 48.8
$58.1TMT 195
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$85.5TMT 287
$59.9TMT 201
$342TMT 1,149
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.88TMT 43.27
$10.01TMT 33.65
$14.31TMT 48.08
Cappuccino
$7.17TMT 24.08
$1.41TMT 4.74
$11.27TMT 37.86
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.25TMT 10.92
$2.93TMT 9.85
$13.18TMT 44.29
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78TMT 2.64
$0.59TMT 1.98
$1.48TMT 4.96
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.27TMT 17.72
$2.93TMT 9.86
$14.66TMT 49.27
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$14.23TMT 47.82
$8.53TMT 28.68
$17.07TMT 57.4
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk(1 liter)
$4.56TMT 15.31
$3.08TMT 10.36
$5.61TMT 18.84
White Bread(500g)
$2.35TMT 7.91
$1.41TMT 4.73
$4.23TMT 14.2
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.15TMT 17.32
$2.87TMT 9.64
$13.18TMT 44.27
Eggs
$6.19TMT 20.8
$3.94TMT 13.23
$6.75TMT 22.69
Local Cheese(1kg)
$40.54TMT 136
$30.98TMT 104
$43.43TMT 146
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$15.86TMT 53.3
$8.46TMT 28.42
$28.2TMT 94.8
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.21TMT 61.2
$11.21TMT 37.66
$42.02TMT 141
Apples(1kg)
$4.42TMT 14.86
$1.71TMT 5.76
$8.69TMT 29.21
Banana(1kg)
$8TMT 26.89
$3.16TMT 10.63
$11.48TMT 38.57
Oranges(1kg)
$6.73TMT 22.61
$2.63TMT 8.84
$10.82TMT 36.37
Tomato(1kg)
$3.19TMT 10.72
$1.97TMT 6.64
$5.64TMT 18.95
Potato(1kg)
$1.68TMT 5.64
$1.04TMT 3.5
$3.37TMT 11.32
Onion(1kg)
$1.31TMT 4.41
$0.7TMT 2.36
$2.91TMT 9.78
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.99TMT 6.69
$1.42TMT 4.78
$2.85TMT 9.56
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.14TMT 3.82
$0.87TMT 2.93
$1.45TMT 4.88
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$28.64TMT 96.2
$25.77TMT 86.6
$28.64TMT 96.2
Wine(Bottle)
$43.36TMT 146
$4.05TMT 13.6
$86.7TMT 291
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.75TMT 15.96
$2.88TMT 9.69
$5.76TMT 19.35
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81TMT 9.45
-
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.16TMT 0.54
$0.16TMT 0.54
$0.33TMT 1.12
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.48TMT 28.51
$8.48TMT 28.51
$11.32TMT 38.02
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.78TMT 9.34
$1.39TMT 4.67
$4.17TMT 14.01
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.87TMT 2.92
$0.87TMT 2.92
$0.87TMT 2.92
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.41TMT 28.27
$8.41TMT 28.27
$8.41TMT 28.27
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.45TMT 1.51
$0.45TMT 1.51
$0.45TMT 1.51
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.8KTMT 147K
$42.7KTMT 143.4K
$44.8KTMT 150.6K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$56.5KTMT 189.7K
$45.2KTMT 151.8K
$67.8KTMT 227.7K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$566TMT 1,901
$566TMT 1,901
$566TMT 1,901
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.1TMT 189
$28.06TMT 94.3
$64.5TMT 217
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$182TMT 613
$79.2TMT 266
$424TMT 1,426
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$168TMT 566
$14.34TMT 48.17
$287TMT 963
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$44.79TMT 150
$34.31TMT 115
$44.79TMT 150
Cinema Ticket
$15.84TMT 53.2
$8.64TMT 29.04
$20.17TMT 67.8
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$34.77TMT 117
$23.18TMT 77.9
$57.9TMT 195
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$25.9KTMT 87.1K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.1TMT 222
$25.85TMT 86.9
$86.2TMT 290
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$101TMT 341
$57.9TMT 195
$130TMT 438
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$391TMT 1,314
$157TMT 529
$572TMT 1,923
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$287TMT 964
$169TMT 569
$480TMT 1,612
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,032TMT 3,468
$705TMT 2,369
$1,974TMT 6,632
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$659TMT 2,215
$287TMT 963
$1,433TMT 4,816
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,653TMT 5,553
$855TMT 2,872
$2,850TMT 9,574
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,383TMT 4,645
$564TMT 1,896
$2,539TMT 8,532
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,677TMT 15.7K
$2,806TMT 9,429
$7,016TMT 23.6K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,036TMT 10.2K
$2,458TMT 8,259
$3,470TMT 11.7K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$617TMT 2,072
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.5
5
12
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: November 23, 2025
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Cost of Living in Turkmenistan - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Turkmenistan stack up on affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to get the best value there?
Turkmenistan generally offers moderate affordability for travelers and longer stays, especially outside major cities. Cost of Living in Turkmenistan varies by area, with local markets and street food keeping daily meals economical, while imported items can push up costs. Housing is often affordable in smaller towns if you’re open to local arrangements, though choices may be tighter in the capital. Public transit and shared taxis provide inexpensive options, and walking or cycling around town keeps expenses down. For longer stays, negotiate a fair longer-term rate in housing and be mindful of service charges in formal accommodations. Tip: map out expat-friendly neighborhoods and set a flexible budget that accounts for occasional price spikes.
What does daily life look like in Turkmenistan in terms of housing, food, transport, and errands for someone staying a few months?
Daily life centers on balancing housing, food, transport, and errands across neighborhoods that fit your pace. You’ll find a range of housing – from modest apartments to satellite towns – often with negotiable terms for longer stays. Turkmenistan living cost tends to be lower outside the capital, though you may see higher prices for imported goods or services tied to the expat scene in Ashgabat. To keep costs predictable, cook at home with local produce, use public transit or shared taxis, and shop at markets for fresh staples. For work and errands, seek up-to-date listings and ask locals for reliable, affordable options. Tip: build a simple monthly budget and track it weekly.
How can you judge quality of life and create a budgeting framework to save money while staying in Turkmenistan?
Quality of life comes from reliable services, access to healthcare, internet, and a pace that suits you. When choosing a neighborhood, look for proximity to markets, cafes, and quiet streets. A simple budgeting framework helps: categorize housing, food, transport, and personal expenses; assign a monthly cap for each; and review it weekly to accommodate seasonal shifts – for example hotter months may increase cooling costs and outdoor activity opportunities. Stay flexible and tap into local networks for deals on coworking spaces or gym memberships. Tip: keep a small contingency fund and rotate weekend outings to balance savings with new experiences.
Turkmenistan vs other spots: cost of living compared