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Cost of Living in Ashgabat

Ashgabat, Aşgabat, Turkmenistan · Population 1,030,063 · National capital

▲ +24% vs Turkmenistan average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)m1,948 ($557)
Couple, monthlym3,469 ($991)
Family of four, monthlym4,498 ($1,285)

Estimated Prices in Ashgabat

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantm20.48 ($5.85)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-rangem81.90 ($23.40)per meal
Cappuccinom6.14 ($1.76)each
Monthly groceries (single person)m464 ($133)per month
Monthly public transport passm75.08 ($21.45)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartmentm198 ($56.55)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)m57.33 ($16.38)per month
Fitness club membershipm57.33 ($16.38)per month
Cinema ticketm15.02 ($4.29)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centrem838 ($239)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centrem583 ($167)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centrem1,749 ($500)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Ashgabat is m1,593 ($455) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of m1,948 ($557) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly m2,532 ($724) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (m583 ($167)) represents about 30% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Ashgabat

Ashgabat vs TürkmenabatAshgabat vs DaşoguzAshgabat vs BalkanabatAshgabat vs MaryAshgabat vs BayramalyAshgabat vs Serdar

Nearby Cities

Änew

12 km away · Ahal

Abadan

20 km away · Ahal

Babarap

30 km away · Ahal

Gökdepe

43 km away · Ahal

Baharly

99 km away · Ahal

Kaka

126 km away · Ahal

Magtymguly

191 km away · Balkan

Tejen

197 km away · Ahal

Other Major Cities in Turkmenistan

Türkmenabat

Lebap · pop. 230,861

m1,470 ($420) / mo

Daşoguz

Daşoguz · pop. 227,184

m1,470 ($420) / mo

Balkanabat

Balkan · pop. 139,000

m1,470 ($420) / mo

Mary

Mary · pop. 126,141

m1,470 ($420) / mo

Bayramaly

Mary · pop. 110,545

m1,470 ($420) / mo

Serdar

Balkan · pop. 89,582

m1,470 ($420) / mo

Türkmenbaşy

Balkan · pop. 86,800

m1,470 ($420) / mo

Tejen

Ahal · pop. 77,024

m1,470 ($420) / mo

Living in Ashgabat

Ashgabat is the capital and one of the key cities in Turkmenistan. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is m1,948 ($557), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around m583 ($167) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to m4,498 ($1,285) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately m3,469 ($991) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Ashgabat is m1,593 ($455). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least m2,532 ($724) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ashgabat expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated m1,948 ($557) per month in Ashgabat including rent outside the city centre. That is 24% more than the national average for Turkmenistan.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Ashgabat?
A net salary of around m2,532 ($724) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Ashgabat with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Ashgabat is m1,593 ($455).
How much is rent in Ashgabat?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated m838 ($239) per month in the city centre and m583 ($167) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about m1,749 ($500).
Is Ashgabat cheaper than Turkmenistan on average?
No — Ashgabat is estimated to be about 24% more expensive than the Turkmenistan average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Ashgabat?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at m464 ($133) in Ashgabat. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about m20 ($6) and a cappuccino runs around m6 ($2).
How do transport costs in Ashgabat compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Ashgabat is estimated at m75 ($21). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Ashgabat are estimates based on Turkmenistan national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,030,063) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.