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Hi! I’m Astronaut Alex 👨🚀🚀, and today, we’re talking about the cost of living in Novosibirsk. Do you know that it is the third-largest city in Russia? Well, it can be expensive to study abroad but with the right knowledge of managing the expenses, you will be able to stay comfortably.
Novosibirsk is the largest city in Siberia and the third largest in Russia. Located beside the Ob River, it is a major industrial, scientific, and cultural centre. The city is also a popular destination among students for overseas education. But how much does it cost to live in Novosibirsk? This blog will explore the cost of living in Novosibirsk in 2023 for students. We will cover different expense categories for you like living accommodation, food, entertainment, utilities and bills, and transportation. Read on to know more!
Hope you have a gist of what the cost of living in Novosibirsk is all about. This is just the beginning! Join me as I take you on a journey on the breakup of the cost of living in Novosibirsk. Let’s go!🚀
This Blog Includes:
Also Read: Cost of Living in Russia
🤔Why Study in Novosibirsk?
Unlike Moscow and St. Petersburg, the cost of living in Novosibirsk is low. Students from over 50 countries worldwide come to study in this Russian city, making it a vibrant and enriching multicultural experience. Let’s take a look at some reasons why Novosibirsk might be a perfect study abroad destination for you:
➡️Quality Education At Affordable Prices
Novosibirsk is known for housing some of the world’s top-ranked universities like Novosibirsk State University (NSU)(QS World Ranking 2024: =421). The institute provides many UG and PG programs in English for international students at affordable fees.
➡️Strong Academic Reputation
Being the scientific capital of Russia, Novosibirsk houses over 100 research institutes and labs. You can collaborate with leading scientists and researchers in their fields, getting practical exposure alongside your academics.
➡️Low Cost of Living
Compared to its Russian counterparts, the cost of living in Novosibirsk is lower, meaning students can live comfortably on a modest budget for the duration of their education.
➡️Safe and Welcoming City
Novosibirsk is a safe and welcoming city with friendly people, a well-developed transportation system, numerous parks and green spaces for students to unwind and relax.
Let’s explore the different living costs that are essential and must be expected by the students.
Also Read: Cost of Living in Moscow
💰Cost of Living in Novosibirsk
The monthly cost of living in Novosibirsk in 2023 is estimated to be 44,398.5 rubles without rent. It is 70.5% less expensive than New York and 18% less expensive than Moscow. Let’s take a detailed look at the average monthly cost of living in Novosibirsk for different expense categories:
🏠Living Accommodation
The accommodation in Novosibirsk costs around 30,000-60,000 rubles on a monthly basis. Here’s the monthly rent for different types of student accommodation available in the city:
| Type of Accommodation | Average Monthly Rent |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 30,034.79 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 18,955.95 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 57,883.80 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 33,624.47 |
🥘Food
The monthly cost of food in Novosibirsk is around 1,841 rubles. Here are the prices of some common grocery items available in the city’s supermarkets:
| Grocery Item | Price (in rubles) |
| Milk (1 liter) | 78.50 |
| Bread (500 g) | 43.13 |
| Rice (1 kg) | 99.31 |
| Eggs (12) | 107.54 |
| Chicken (1 kg) | 358.36 |
| Cheese (500 g) | 372 |
| Apples (1 kg) | 123.09 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | 103.99 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 124.95 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | 47.60 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | 203.59 |
| Onion (1kg) | 54.42 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 98.14 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 47.36 |
⚽Sports and Entertainment👩🎤
Here are some common sports and entertainment options in Novosibirsk along with their prices:
| Entertainment Option | Average Price |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 2,594 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 1,529.13 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | 350 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Kazan: A 2023 Guide
🚰Utilities and Bills
The average monthly cost of utilities and bills in Novosibirsk is around 8,561 rubles. Given below are the monthly costs of some common utilities and bills in the city:
| Utility or Bill | Monthly Cost |
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | 7,183.91 |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | 745.45 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | 632.16 |
🚗 Transportation
Transportation in Novosibirsk costs 3,057 rubles on a monthly basis. Here are the prices of some common modes of transportation around the city:
| Mode of Transportation | Cost (in rubles) |
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 30 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 2,495 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 100 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 20 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 360 |
| Gasoline (1 litre) | 52 |
👩🎓Average Tuition Fees in Novosibirsk
Depending on the university and program chosen, the average tuition fees in Novosibirsk can vary. NSU charges between 336,573 RUB – 607,701 RUB per academic year from international students. This includes language training programs and other services. Here’s a breakdown of average tuition fees in Novosibirsk at various course levels:
| Course Level | Tuition Fee (RUB) |
| Undergraduate | 420,716 |
| Graduate | 336,573 – 607,701 |
| Doctoral | 514,208 |
Typically, the tuition fee is paid at each semester’s start, in two installments. Since international students also need to pay for accommodation and other essential expenses, there are many scholarships and financial aid available for them.
Also Read: Top Ways to Have the Best Study Abroad Experience
🇷🇺Things to Know When Moving to Novosibirsk
If you have made up your mind to live and study in Novosibirsk, then it’s only natural to get acquainted with the city. Here’s what you need to know about the scientific capital of Russia so you can plan your move there accordingly:
➡️Climate
With a severe continental climate, Novosibirsk has cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers. The average temperature in January is -18°C (0°F), and the average temperature in July is +22°C (72°F).
➡️Language
The official language of Novosibirsk is Russian. So it’s crucial to learn some basic Russian before moving to make it easier for you to communicate and get around.
➡️Transportation
The city has a well-developed public transportation system, including buses, metro, trams and taxis.
➡️Accommodation
From budget hostels to luxury apartments, there are plenty of accommodation options available for students in Novosibirsk.
➡️Visas and Immigration
Since the application process for a student visa to Novosibirsk can be complex and time-consuming, it’s vital to apply for a visa as early on as possible.
Mr. Astronaut👨🚀🚀- “ Kiddos, I have answered all your queries with the utmost precision that I was capable of. Now, I will be taking my leave, but if you think that I might have missed something do check out the FAQ section or drop a comment. I always respond!”
FAQs
Ans. No, Novosibirsk is a much more affordable city as compared to Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Ans. The minimum wage required to sustain yourself in Novosibirsk is RUB 16,242 as of 1 January 2023.
Ans. To live comfortably in Russia, you need an income of 93,492 per month.
We hope that this blog provided you with all the information related to the cost of living in Novosibirsk. To discover more about student life abroad, subscribe to Leverage Edu today. Thank you for reading!
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