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Cost of Living in Bishkek

Bishkek, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan · Population 1,191,000 · National capital

▲ +24% vs Kyrgyzstan average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)с35,510 ($408)
Couple, monthlyс63,240 ($727)
Family of four, monthlyс81,995 ($942)

Estimated Prices in Bishkek

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantс373 ($4.29)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-rangeс1,493 ($17.16)per meal
Cappuccinoс112 ($1.29)each
Monthly groceries (single person)с8,460 ($97.24)per month
Monthly public transport passс1,369 ($15.73)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartmentс3,608 ($41.47)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)с1,045 ($12.01)per month
Fitness club membershipс1,045 ($12.01)per month
Cinema ticketс274 ($3.15)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centreс15,277 ($176)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centreс10,628 ($122)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centreс31,883 ($366)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Bishkek is с28,275 ($325) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of с35,510 ($408) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly с46,162 ($531) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (с10,628 ($122)) represents about 30% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Bishkek

Bishkek vs OshBishkek vs Jalal-AbadBishkek vs KarakolBishkek vs BalykchyBishkek vs TokmokBishkek vs Kyzyl-Kyya

Nearby Cities

Alamedin

6 km away · Chüy

Chong-Aryk

6 km away · Bishkek

Maevka

6 km away · Chüy

Novopavlovka

7 km away · Chüy

Lebedinovka

9 km away · Chüy

Voyenno-Antonovka

10 km away · Chüy

Leninskoe

13 km away · Chüy

Novopokrovka

15 km away · Chüy

Other Major Cities in Kyrgyzstan

Osh

Osh · pop. 650,000

с28,523 ($328) / mo

Jalal-Abad

Jalal-Abad · pop. 89,004

с26,796 ($308) / mo

Karakol

Ysyk-Köl · pop. 85,588

с26,796 ($308) / mo

Balykchy

Ysyk-Köl · pop. 54,132

с26,796 ($308) / mo

Tokmok

Chüy · pop. 53,231

с26,796 ($308) / mo

Kyzyl-Kyya

Batken · pop. 51,300

с26,796 ($308) / mo

Living in Bishkek

Bishkek is the capital and one of the key cities in Kyrgyzstan. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is с35,510 ($408), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around с10,628 ($122) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to с81,995 ($942) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately с63,240 ($727) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Bishkek is с28,275 ($325). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least с46,162 ($531) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bishkek expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated с35,510 ($408) per month in Bishkek including rent outside the city centre. That is 24% more than the national average for Kyrgyzstan.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Bishkek?
A net salary of around с46,162 ($531) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Bishkek with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Bishkek is с28,275 ($325).
How much is rent in Bishkek?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated с15,277 ($176) per month in the city centre and с10,628 ($122) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about с31,883 ($366).
Is Bishkek cheaper than Kyrgyzstan on average?
No — Bishkek is estimated to be about 24% more expensive than the Kyrgyzstan average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Bishkek?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at с8,460 ($97) in Bishkek. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about с373 ($4) and a cappuccino runs around с112 ($1).
How do transport costs in Bishkek compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Bishkek is estimated at с1,369 ($16). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Bishkek are estimates based on Kyrgyzstan national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,191,000) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.