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Russia

🇷🇺Cost of Living in Russia

Compare the cost of living across 3 cities in Russia.

The cost of living in Russia is tracked across 3 cities, with an average cost of living index of 34 out of 100, where New York City scores 100. Moscow is the most expensive city and Novosibirsk the most affordable. Explore each city below for a full cost breakdown.

Estimated monthly budget in Russia

Typical total monthly cost by household type.

Single person
$850
per month
Couple
$1,280
per month
Family of 4
$1,790
per month
Student
$640
per month

Estimates based on the average cost of living in Russia, scaled by household size. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighbourhood and housing.

Moscow

Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia and the largest city in Europe, a sprawling metropolis known for the Kremlin, Red Square, and an iconic metro system adorned with chandeliers and mosaics. It blends imperial grandeur with modern skyscrapers in its Moscow City district, offering a dynamic but demanding urban lifestyle.

Cost Index

42

Monthly Cost

$1,050

Pop: 12,600,000Safety: 55/100
Novosibirsk

Novosibirsk

Novosibirsk is Russia's third-largest city and the unofficial capital of Siberia, known for its scientific research institutions and the famous Akademgorodok academic town. It offers extremely low living costs with harsh winters but a growing cultural and tech scene.

Cost Index

25

Monthly Cost

$600

Pop: 1,600,000Safety: 50/100
Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is Russia's cultural capital, home to the Hermitage Museum, grand palaces, and elegant canals that have earned it the nickname 'Venice of the North.' It offers very affordable living costs by European standards with world-class architecture and a vibrant arts scene.

Cost Index

35

Monthly Cost

$900

Pop: 5,400,000Safety: 55/100

Frequently asked questions about the cost of living in Russia

What is the cost of living in Russia?
Russia has 3 cities in our database, with an average cost of living index of 34 out of 100 (New York City = 100).
What is the most expensive city in Russia?
Moscow is the most expensive city we track in Russia, with a cost of living index of 42 out of 100.
What is the cheapest city in Russia?
Novosibirsk is the most affordable city we track in Russia, with a cost of living index of 25 out of 100.

Data & sources

As an independent cross-check, the World Bank puts the overall price level in Russia at 33 relative to the United States (=100) in 2024. View source

Cost figures on this site are independent estimates, cross-referenced with public data sources including World Bank, Numbeo, Eurostat, OECD.