Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,917 (excluding rent), and $3,177 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,514 (excluding rent), and $6,453 including rent.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$33.88TMTย 119
$14.12TMTย 49.42
$56.5TMTย 198
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.5TMTย 296
$59.2TMTย 207
$338TMTย 1,184
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.01TMTย 45.55
$10.12TMTย 35.42
$14.46TMTย 50.6
Cappuccino
$7.45TMTย 26.08
$1.47TMTย 5.13
$11.71TMTย 41.00
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16TMTย 11.05
$2.85TMTย 9.97
$12.81TMTย 44.84
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73TMTย 2.54
$0.54TMTย 1.90
$1.37TMTย 4.78
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.21TMTย 18.22
$2.90TMTย 10.14
$14.47TMTย 50.7
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$14.15TMTย 49.51
$8.48TMTย 29.69
$16.97TMTย 59.4
๐ Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk(1 liter)
$4.66TMTย 16.32
$3.16TMTย 11.05
$5.74TMTย 20.09
White Bread(500g)
$2.33TMTย 8.14
$1.39TMTย 4.87
$4.17TMTย 14.61
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.27TMTย 18.44
$2.93TMTย 10.26
$13.47TMTย 47.14
Eggs
$6.28TMTย 21.96
$3.99TMTย 13.97
$6.84TMTย 23.95
Local Cheese(1kg)
$39.69TMTย 139
$30.33TMTย 106
$42.53TMTย 149
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.23TMTย 56.8
$8.66TMTย 30.30
$28.86TMTย 101
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.41TMTย 64.5
$11.33TMTย 39.67
$42.50TMTย 149
Apples(1kg)
$4.48TMTย 15.68
$1.74TMTย 6.08
$8.80TMTย 30.81
Banana(1kg)
$8.07TMTย 28.24
$3.19TMTย 11.16
$11.57TMTย 40.50
Oranges(1kg)
$6.39TMTย 22.37
$2.50TMTย 8.75
$10.28TMTย 35.98
Tomato(1kg)
$3.28TMTย 11.47
$2.03TMTย 7.10
$5.79TMTย 20.28
Potato(1kg)
$1.66TMTย 5.82
$1.03TMTย 3.61
$3.34TMTย 11.68
Onion(1kg)
$1.26TMTย 4.39
$0.67TMTย 2.35
$2.78TMTย 9.74
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.94TMTย 6.80
$1.39TMTย 4.86
$2.78TMTย 9.73
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.13TMTย 3.96
$0.87TMTย 3.04
$1.44TMTย 5.05
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$28.37TMTย 99.3
$25.53TMTย 89.4
$28.37TMTย 99.3
Wine(Bottle)
$42.22TMTย 148
$3.94TMTย 13.80
$84.4TMTย 296
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.80TMTย 16.80
$2.92TMTย 10.20
$5.82TMTย 20.37
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.77TMTย 9.71
-
๐ Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.12TMTย 0.44
$0.12TMTย 0.44
$0.26TMTย 0.90
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.35TMTย 29.24
$8.35TMTย 29.24
$11.14TMTย 39.00
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.93TMTย 10.26
$1.47TMTย 5.13
$4.40TMTย 15.39
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.87TMTย 3.03
$0.87TMTย 3.03
$0.87TMTย 3.03
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.48TMTย 29.68
$8.48TMTย 29.68
$8.48TMTย 29.68
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.44TMTย 1.55
$0.44TMTย 1.55
$0.44TMTย 1.55
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$44.7KTMTย 156.3K
$43.6KTMTย 152.5K
$45.8KTMTย 160.1K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$58.1KTMTย 203.3K
$46.5KTMTย 162.6K
$69.7KTMTย 243.9K
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$572TMTย 2,003
$572TMTย 2,003
$572TMTย 2,003
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.6TMTย 202
$28.80TMTย 101
$66.3TMTย 232
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$186TMTย 650
$80.6TMTย 282
$432TMTย 1,512
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$169TMTย 592
$14.39TMTย 50.4
$288TMTย 1,007
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$44.13TMTย 154
$33.81TMTย 118
$44.13TMTย 154
Cinema Ticket
$15.75TMTย 55.1
$8.59TMTย 30.07
$20.05TMTย 70.2
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$34.89TMTย 122
$23.26TMTย 81.4
$58.1TMTย 203
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$25.7KTMTย 89.9K
-
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.6TMTย 226
$25.27TMTย 88.4
$84.2TMTย 295
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$102TMTย 356
$58.1TMTย 203
$131TMTย 457
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$389TMTย 1,363
$157TMTย 548
$570TMTย 1,994
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$288TMTย 1,009
$170TMTย 595
$482TMTย 1,687
๐ Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,041TMTย 3,643
$711TMTย 2,488
$1,991TMTย 6,967
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$652TMTย 2,283
$284TMTย 992
$1,418TMTย 4,962
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,652TMTย 5,782
$855TMTย 2,991
$2,848TMTย 9,970
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,393TMTย 4,877
$569TMTย 1,991
$2,559TMTย 8,958
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,545TMTย 12.4K
$3,219TMTย 11.3K
$4,272TMTย 15.0K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,844TMTย 9,955
$2,533TMTย 8,866
$3,000TMTย 10.5K
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$612TMTย 2,141
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.5
5
12
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: January 12, 2026
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 youโre 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. Youโll find a range of housing โ from modest apartments to satellite towns โ 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 โ 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