Cost of Living in Kazakhstan: Updated Prices, Comparison with Other Cities

Kazakhstan, a country located in Central Asia, offers a unique blend of rich cultural heritage and modern development. It’s an increasingly popular destination for international students due to its affordable cost of living in Kazakhstan, quality education system, and vibrant student life. 

For the past couple of years, Kazakhstan has evolved its living standards, especially for international students who are living in Kazakhstan for their higher education purposes. 

Kazakhstan offers a high quality of life with a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major cities around it. Understanding the cost of living in Kazakhstan is essential for students planning to study there. Proper budgeting is crucial for ensuring a comfortable stay in this vibrant country. If you want to know how to manage the average cost of living in Kazakhstan, this blog is perfect for you. Make sure you read until the end to know more. 

Cost of Living in Kazakhstan Overview

The average cost of living in Kazakhstan for one person, excluding housing rent, is approximately KZT 252,887, according to Numbeo. When factoring in apartment rent, expenses range from KZT 170,899 to KZT 250,049. However, living costs can vary based on lifestyle, location, and personal preferences.

For international expatriates, the cost of living in Kazakhstan includes expenses such as housing rent, food, groceries, utilities, transportation, and entertainment. Below is an overview of the average costs across various categories for those considering a move to Kazakhstan:

Also Read: Cost of Living in Slovakia: A Comprehensive Guide

Costs of Accommodation in Kazakhstan

When calculating the cost of living in Kazakhstan, accommodation is undoubtedly a crucial factor. The expenses for housing vary based on location, size, and type of residence you choose. Typically, a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre of Kazakhstan can cost approximately KZT 250,049. 

It’s important to thoroughly research and compare different accommodation options to find one that suits your needs and budget. For your convenience, we’ve gathered data on the average cost of housing for various apartments both within and outside the city centre.

Apartment	Location	Approx. Monthly Cost
Apartment of One-bedroom	in the City Centre	KZT 250,049
Apartment of Three-bedroom	in the City Centre	KZT 446,378
Apartment of One-bedroom	Outside of Centre	KZT 170,899
Apartment of Three-bedroom	Outside of Centre	KZT 307,846

Cost of a Utility in Kazakhstan 

The monthly utility cost for a one-bedroom apartment in Kazakhstan typically amounts to around KZT 26,887. This expense can vary depending on usage and the size of the apartment. When planning your monthly budget in Kazakhstan, it is crucial to account for utility expenses as they form a significant part of the living costs. Below is a table providing an overview of the average utility bills in Kazakhstan:

Utility Type	Utility Name	Approx. Cost
Basic Utility Bills	Water, Electricity, Heating, Cooling, and Garbage	KZT 26,887
Monthly Plan Mobile Phone	including Calls and 10GB+ Data	KZT 4,330
Internet	Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly	KZT 6,006

Restaurant Food Costs in Kazakhstan

The cost of eating out in Kazakhstan can vary according to the type of restaurant you are dining at, its location, the cuisine and the menu offered. Eating out in Kazakhstan can be more expensive than cooking in your room and can affect your budget for the cost of living in Kazakhstan. 

Here’s a rough estimate of the average cost of a meal at restaurants in Kazakhstan:

Type of Restaurant	Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant
Meal for 2 person (in a Mid-range Restaurant)	KZT 15,000
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant	KZT 4,000
Meal for 2 people (in a Mid-range Restaurant)	KZT  3,000
Cappuccino	KZT 1,027

Cost of Grocery in Kazakhstan

Now you have seen the food cost at the restaurants. It’s a wise idea for students to cook food at home. For preparing food at home you can buy the grocery from the local market which can save you some money.  The price of groceries in Kazakhstan is relatively low compared to many other major cities in Kazakhstan, but it is essential to compare grocery prices to get the most suitable value for your money.

The cost of groceries there can have a direct impact on the overall cost of living in Kazakhstan. In the following table, we have provided an overview of average grocery expenses in Kazakhstan:

Grocery Item	Approx Cost
1 litre of Regular Milk	KZT 566
1kg white Rice	KZT 744
500g Bread (White)	KZT 239
1kg Apples	KZT 629
1kg Oranges	KZT 1,027
1kg Banana	KZT 934
1kg Tomato	KZT 985
1kg Onion	KZT 221
1kg Potato	KZT 249
Lettuce (1 head)	KZT 521
1 litre Water bottle	KZT 324

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Transportation costs in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has an extensive public transportation system, including intercity buses, minibuses, taxis, trains, and bicycle rentals. It’s necessary to evaluate transport costs in Kazakhstan because they have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in Kazakhstan. Take an overview of the following table for the cost of transportation around the Kazakhstan area:

Mode of Transport	Approx Cost
Ticket for Monthly Pass in a Public transport	KZT 7,200
Ticket for Local Public transport	KZT 100
Local tariff for the Taxi Ride of 1 km	KZT 300
Normal Tariff of taxi for 1 hour Waiting	KZT 2,000
1 L or 0.26 gal Gas / Petrol	KZT 233

Also Read: Cost of Living in Rotterdam: A Guide on Expected Expenses

Miscellaneous Costs in Kazakhstan

In addition to the primary categories of cost of living in Kazakhstan, there are several other essential expenses to consider. These include costs for items and activities that you’ll likely need or want after spending some time in Kazakhstan, such as clothing, entertainment, and minor healthcare services. Below is a table detailing some miscellaneous expenses:

Miscellaneous	Approx Cost
Movie Ticket	KZT 2404
Brand Jeans	KZT 2705
Fitness Club	KZT 18637
Summer Dress	KZT 20,981
Pair of Sports shoes	KZT 50,530
Doctor’s visit	KZT 6593

Cost of Living in Kazakhstan Compared to Other Cities

Kazakhstan is generally considered a relatively affordable country to live in compared to some countries like China, Turkmenistan, the USA, and the UK. However, it has a higher cost of living than Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. To give you an idea of how the cost of living in Kazakhstan compares to these cities and countries, we have provided a detailed comparison below. Please have a look:

Cost of Living City/Country Wise	Average Cost of living	Comparison with Cost of Living in Kazakhstan
Cost of Living in Russia	KZT 250496 (excluding rent)	Lower than Kazakhstan
Cost of Living in China	KZT 259521 (excluding rent)	Higher than Kazakhstan
Cost of Living in Turkmenistan	KZT 790072 (including rent)	Higher than Kazakhstan
Cost of Living in the USA	KZT 553097 (excluding rent)	Higher than Kazakhstan
Cost of Living in the UK	KZT 487450 (excluding rent)	Higher than Kazakhstan
Cost of Living in Uzbekistan	KZT 215343 (excluding rent)	Lower than Kazakhstan
Cost of Living in Kyrgyzstan	KZT 213436 (excluding rent)	Lower than Kazakhstan
Cost of Living in Tajikistan	KZT 208890 (excluding rent)	Lower than Kazakhstan

Average Tuition Fees in Kazakhstan

Students can budget more effectively for their preferred university by checking the average tuition fees at Kazakhstan universities. Please note that tuition fees may change depending on the university you select, level of study and field of study. See the table below for a summary of some of the tuition fees at selected Kazakhstan universities:

Name of University	Approx Tuition Fees Total
Astana Medical University	KZT 10231154
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University	KZT 10515352
Semey State Medical University	KZT 4547179
North Kazakhstan State University	KZT 11197429
Kazakh National Medical University	KZT 11254269
Kazakh-Russian Medical University	KZT 9946955
South Kazakhstan Medical Academy	KZT 9208038
Karaganda State Medical University	KZT 11794247
West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov State Medical University	KZT 7048128

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FAQs on Cost of Living in Kazakhstan

So, this was all about the cost of living in Kazakhstan. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.