1,387 cities covered · Currency: RUB (₽) · Capital: Moscow
| Expense | Estimated cost | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | ₽468 ($5.09) | per meal |
| Three-course meal for two, mid-range | ₽1,872 ($20.35) | per meal |
| Cappuccino | ₽140 ($1.53) | each |
| Monthly groceries (single person) | ₽10,610 ($115) | per month |
| Monthly public transport pass | ₽1,716 ($18.66) | per month |
| Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment | ₽4,525 ($49.18) | per month |
| Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited) | ₽1,311 ($14.25) | per month |
| Fitness club membership | ₽1,311 ($14.25) | per month |
| Cinema ticket | ₽343 ($3.73) | each |
| One-bedroom apartment in city centre | ₽20,483 ($223) | per month |
| One-bedroom apartment outside centre | ₽14,249 ($155) | per month |
| Three-bedroom apartment in city centre | ₽42,747 ($465) | per month |
Moskva · pop. 17,332,000
Sankt-Peterburg · pop. 5,601,911
Novosibirskaya Oblast’ · pop. 1,637,266
Sverdlovskaya Oblast’ · pop. 1,468,833
Tatarstan · pop. 1,329,825
Nizhegorodskaya Oblast’ · pop. 1,198,245
Chelyabinskaya Oblast’ · pop. 1,176,770
Krasnodarskiy Kray · pop. 1,154,885
Samarskaya Oblast’ · pop. 1,154,223
Bashkortostan · pop. 1,144,809
Rostovskaya Oblast’ · pop. 1,143,123
Omskaya Oblast’ · pop. 1,101,367
Krasnoyarskiy Kray · pop. 1,092,851
Voronezhskaya Oblast’ · pop. 1,041,722
Permskiy Kray · pop. 1,027,518
Volgogradskaya Oblast’ · pop. 1,012,219
Tyumenskaya Oblast’ · pop. 872,077
Saratovskaya Oblast’ · pop. 838,042
Samarskaya Oblast’ · pop. 662,683
Dagestan · pop. 662,660
Altayskiy Kray · pop. 621,598
Udmurtiya · pop. 616,297
Khabarovskiy Kray · pop. 615,600
Ul’yanovskaya Oblast’ · pop. 612,516
Side-by-side cost of living comparison in Russia
Side-by-side cost of living comparison in Russia
Side-by-side cost of living comparison in Russia
Side-by-side cost of living comparison in Russia
Living costs in Russia vary significantly depending on city size. Large metropolitan areas with populations over one million typically see housing costs 15–30% above the national average, while smaller towns can be 10–20% below it. The national baseline of ₽45,455 ($494) per month represents a mid-sized city estimate.
Capital cities and major economic hubs command the highest rents and overall expenses. For budget-conscious residents, mid-sized cities offer a balance of amenities and affordability. Rural and small-town living remains the most economical option, though transport and service access may be limited.