Cost of Living in Turkmenistan - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Turkmenistan
Address: TM

Monthly Cost of Living

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $969 including rent across Turkmenistan.

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,497 including rent across Turkmenistan.

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,024 including rent across Turkmenistan.

Living costs in Turkmenistan vary widely – from $14 in more affordable cities to $3,137 in major hubs, spanning a $3,123 range across 6 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$34.26 TMT 120

$14.28 TMT 49.98

$57.1 TMT 200

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$86.8 TMT 304

$60.8 TMT 213

$347 TMT 1,215

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.08 TMT 45.77

$10.17 TMT 35.59

$14.53 TMT 50.9

Cappuccino

$7.16 TMT 25.07

$1.41 TMT 4.93

$11.26 TMT 39.42

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

$3.20 TMT 11.18

$2.88 TMT 10.09

$12.96 TMT 45.37

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.72 TMT 2.54

$0.54 TMT 1.90

$1.36 TMT 4.77

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.18 TMT 18.15

$2.88 TMT 10.10

$14.41 TMT 50.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$14.22 TMT 49.78

$8.53 TMT 29.85

$17.06 TMT 59.7

Milk (1 liter)

$4.75 TMT 16.62

$3.21 TMT 11.24

$5.84 TMT 20.45

White Bread (500g)

$2.42 TMT 8.46

$1.45 TMT 5.06

$4.34 TMT 15.18

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.03 TMT 17.59

$2.80 TMT 9.79

$12.85 TMT 44.97

Eggs

$6.19 TMT 21.67

$3.94 TMT 13.78

$6.75 TMT 23.63

Local Cheese (1kg)

$39.61 TMT 139

$30.27 TMT 106

$42.44 TMT 149

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.99 TMT 56.0

$8.53 TMT 29.85

$28.43 TMT 99.5

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.63 TMT 65.2

$11.47 TMT 40.13

$42.99 TMT 150

Apples (1kg)

$4.46 TMT 15.61

$1.73 TMT 6.05

$8.77 TMT 30.68

Banana (1kg)

$7.77 TMT 27.21

$3.07 TMT 10.75

$11.15 TMT 39.02

Oranges (1kg)

$6.52 TMT 22.83

$2.55 TMT 8.93

$10.49 TMT 36.73

Tomato (1kg)

$3.25 TMT 11.38

$2.01 TMT 7.05

$5.75 TMT 20.12

Potato (1kg)

$1.73 TMT 6.06

$1.07 TMT 3.75

$3.47 TMT 12.15

Onion (1kg)

$1.28 TMT 4.48

$0.68 TMT 2.39

$2.84 TMT 9.92

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.02 TMT 7.07

$1.44 TMT 5.05

$2.89 TMT 10.11

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 TMT 4.00

$0.88 TMT 3.07

$1.46 TMT 5.11

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$28.00 TMT 98.0

$25.20 TMT 88.2

$28.00 TMT 98.0

Wine (Bottle)

$39.69 TMT 139

$3.97 TMT 13.88

$85.1 TMT 298

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.70 TMT 16.43

$2.85 TMT 9.98

$5.69 TMT 19.92

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.81 TMT 9.84

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.14 TMT 0.50

$0.29 TMT 1.03

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.82 TMT 30.87

$11.76 TMT 41.17

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.94 TMT 10.30

$1.47 TMT 5.15

$4.41 TMT 15.44

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.83 TMT 2.91

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.44 TMT 29.55

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.45 TMT 1.56

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

$44.1K TMT 154.3K

$43.0K TMT 150.5K

$45.2K TMT 158.1K

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

$56.4K TMT 197.3K

$45.1K TMT 157.8K

$67.6K TMT 236.8K

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

$570 TMT 1,995

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

$57.6 TMT 202

$28.80 TMT 101

$66.2 TMT 232

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$181 TMT 632

$78.4 TMT 275

$420 TMT 1,471

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$167 TMT 584

$14.21 TMT 49.73

$284 TMT 994

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$45.49 TMT 159

$34.85 TMT 122

$45.49 TMT 159

Cinema Ticket

$15.63 TMT 54.7

$8.53 TMT 29.85

$19.90 TMT 69.7

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

$34.57 TMT 121

$23.05 TMT 80.7

$57.6 TMT 202

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25.5K TMT 89.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.8 TMT 234

$26.13 TMT 91.4

$87.1 TMT 305

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$101 TMT 355

$57.9 TMT 203

$130 TMT 456

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$383 TMT 1,339

$154 TMT 539

$560 TMT 1,960

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$285 TMT 998

$168 TMT 589

$477 TMT 1,668

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,032 TMT 3,613

$705 TMT 2,468

$1,974 TMT 6,910

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$665 TMT 2,326

$289 TMT 1,011

$1,445 TMT 5,057

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,684 TMT 5,896

$871 TMT 3,049

$2,904 TMT 10.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,424 TMT 4,982

$581 TMT 2,034

$2,615 TMT 9,151

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,480 TMT 12.2K

$3,159 TMT 11.1K

$4,199 TMT 14.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,854 TMT 9,991

$2,542 TMT 8,897

$3,011 TMT 10.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$667 TMT 2,333

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

8.5

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

Last update: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: $273 across Turkmenistan. For reference, capital rent is $1,147 in Ashgabat, and $0 in Turkmenbasi.

National average salary: $492. With average costs at $969, the gap is significant. Expats and remote workers with foreign income benefit most.

Expect to spend about $187 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $33 for two.

In Ashgabat (capital), expect about $3,137 per month, while Turkmenbasi offers the lowest costs at $14 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($969) is 28% below the global median of $1,340.

Average rent ($273) is 56% below the global median of $621.

Dining out ($33) is 31% below the global median of $48.

Public transport ($3) is 91% below the global median of $33.

By City in Turkmenistan

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Abadan	-		$77.2	$81.3	$107	$125	37.05	92.37
2	Ashgabat	909000	159	$1,836	$3,137	$4,381	$6,413	127.21	92.37
3	Kaka	-		$88.3	$81.7	$109	$126	193.84	1.09
4	Mary	123000		$374	$372	$743	$784	19.17	68.93
5	Turkmenabat	830000		$1,673	$2,126	$4,100	$4,676	22.57	6.88
6	Turkmenbasi	-		$14.43	$14.21	$20.98	$22.55	29.34	9.15

Turkmenistan Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Turkmenistan - Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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 covers a wide cost spectrum. As of 2026, monthly expenses run from about $14.00 in budget-friendly smaller cities to $3,137 in the priciest areas. The gap is big enough to meaningfully affect lifestyle for anyone on a fixed income.

As a lower-cost destination, Turkmenistan attracts expats, retirees, and long-term visitors on fixed budgets. Smaller cities are especially wallet-friendly, while bigger centers charge more but remain competitive globally.

Outside the capital and tourist areas, costs in Turkmenistan drop fast. Turkmenbasi is one of the best budget options – lower costs without giving up access to essential services and everyday amenities.

$2,000 a month goes far in Turkmenistan, especially outside the big cities. It's a realistic single-person budget that covers housing, food, transport, and leisure comfortably.

Living in Turkmenistan is cheap by global standards. Regional cities offer the best value, with the capital Ashgabat sitting higher. Low living costs are one of the country's main draws for expats, retirees, and anyone stretching a budget.