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Cost of Living in Moscow

Moscow, Moskva, Russia · Population 17,332,000 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Russia average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)₽56,662 ($616)
Couple, monthly₽101,538 ($1,104)
Family of four, monthly₽132,250 ($1,437)

Estimated Prices in Moscow

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant₽574 ($6.24)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range₽2,296 ($24.96)per meal
Cappuccino₽172 ($1.87)each
Monthly groceries (single person)₽13,012 ($141)per month
Monthly public transport pass₽2,105 ($22.88)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment₽5,549 ($60.32)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)₽1,607 ($17.47)per month
Fitness club membership₽1,607 ($17.47)per month
Cinema ticket₽421 ($4.58)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre₽26,435 ($287)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre₽18,390 ($200)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre₽55,170 ($600)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Moscow is ₽89,700 ($975) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ₽56,662 ($616) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ₽73,660 ($801) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (₽18,390 ($200)) represents about 32% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Moscow

Moscow vs Saint PetersburgMoscow vs NovosibirskMoscow vs YekaterinburgMoscow vs KazanMoscow vs Nizhniy NovgorodMoscow vs Chelyabinsk

Nearby Cities

Reutov

15 km away · Moskovskaya Oblast’

Nemchinovka

16 km away · Moskovskaya Oblast’

Mosrentgen

18 km away · Moskovskaya Oblast’

Orekhovo-Borisovo Yuzhnoye

18 km away · Moskva

Kotelniki

19 km away · Moskovskaya Oblast’

Khimki

19 km away · Moskovskaya Oblast’

Lyubertsy

19 km away · Moskovskaya Oblast’

Krasnogorsk

19 km away · Moskovskaya Oblast’

Other Major Cities in Russia

Saint Petersburg

Sankt-Peterburg · pop. 5,601,911

₽55,720 ($606) / mo

Novosibirsk

Novosibirskaya Oblast’ · pop. 1,637,266

₽49,167 ($534) / mo

Yekaterinburg

Sverdlovskaya Oblast’ · pop. 1,468,833

₽49,167 ($534) / mo

Kazan

Tatarstan · pop. 1,329,825

₽49,167 ($534) / mo

Nizhniy Novgorod

Nizhegorodskaya Oblast’ · pop. 1,198,245

₽49,167 ($534) / mo

Chelyabinsk

Chelyabinskaya Oblast’ · pop. 1,176,770

₽49,167 ($534) / mo

Krasnodar

Krasnodarskiy Kray · pop. 1,154,885

₽49,167 ($534) / mo

Samara

Samarskaya Oblast’ · pop. 1,154,223

₽49,167 ($534) / mo

Living in Moscow

Moscow is the capital and one of the key cities in Russia. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ₽56,662 ($616), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ₽18,390 ($200) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ₽132,250 ($1,437) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ₽101,538 ($1,104) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Moscow is ₽89,700 ($975). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ₽73,660 ($801) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Moscow expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ₽56,662 ($616) per month in Moscow including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Russia.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Moscow?
A net salary of around ₽73,660 ($801) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Moscow with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Moscow is ₽89,700 ($975).
How much is rent in Moscow?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ₽26,435 ($287) per month in the city centre and ₽18,390 ($200) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ₽55,170 ($600).
Is Moscow cheaper than Russia on average?
No — Moscow is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Russia average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Moscow?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ₽13,012 ($141) in Moscow. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ₽574 ($6) and a cappuccino runs around ₽172 ($2).
How do transport costs in Moscow compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Moscow is estimated at ₽2,105 ($23). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Moscow are estimates based on Russia national averages adjusted for city size (population 17,332,000) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.