Astrakhan, a city in southern Russia, offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern living. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering a move or planning to visit.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Astrakhan, including housing, dining, transportation, and more, to help you budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $3.46 on average, with a range between $2.96 and $3.95.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $12.83, with prices ranging from $11.85 to $13.82.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $4.2, with a range between $3.46 and $4.94.
  • Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) - Imported beer costs between $1.18 and $1.48, averaging $1.33.
  • Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) - A bottle of Coke or Pepsi costs between $0.49 and $0.79, averaging $0.64.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.79 and $1.09 per liter, averaging $0.95.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.25 and $1.48, with an average price of $0.73.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $0.95 to $1.54, averaging $1.27.
  • Local Cheese (1kg) - Local cheese costs between $3.95 and $29.61 per kg, averaging $14.48.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $0.39 to $1.58 per kg, while oranges range from $0.99 to $2.37 per kg.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $0.32 and $0.35.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.53 and $0.59 per liter.
  • Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) - Taxi fares start at $1.97, with a range between $1.48 and $3.95.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $296.15 to $691.01, averaging $345.5.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $148.07 to $641.65, averaging $222.11.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $345.5 to $1579.44, averaging $839.08.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $296.15 to $839.08, averaging $493.58.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $967.41 to $1382.01, averaging $1243.81.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $789.72 to $1283.3, averaging $987.15.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $93.23 and $98.72, averaging $96.89.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $2.96 to $6.91, with an average cost of $5.18.
Worldwide
Russia

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for Russia are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Russia, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Jan, 2025
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 13 user contributions, as of the most recent update in September, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$3.46
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$12.83
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$4.20
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27
Cappuccino (regular)
$1.18
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$0.95
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$0.73
Eggs (regular) (12)
$1.27
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.48
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$4.94
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.92
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$1.83
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.73
Apples (1kg)
$1.28
Oranges (1kg)
$1.51
Potato (1kg)
$0.48
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.38
Rice (white), (1kg)
$1.09
Tomato (1kg)
$1.72
Banana (1kg)
$1.18
Onion (1kg)
$0.31
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$6.17
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$0.35
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.56
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$9,871.53
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.97
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$345.50
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$222.11
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$839.08
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$493.58
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$96.89
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$5.18
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$5.82
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$36.03
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.73
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$3.95
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.78
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$27.97
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$59.23
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$82.26
Buy Apartment Price
Avg / Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$1,243.81
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$987.15
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$397.33
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
11.67%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$98.72
Astrakhan Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Astrakhan offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many other cities, with affordable dining and transportation options.

Housing is particularly economical, especially outside the city centre, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious residents.

Grocery prices are generally low, though there is a wide range in prices for items like local cheese.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Astrakhan presents an affordable living environment with low costs in dining, transportation, and housing.

This makes it an appealing choice for those looking to live in Russia without the high expenses associated with larger cities.

Potential residents should consider the variability in grocery prices and plan accordingly to maximize their budget.