Cost of Living in Saint Petersburg: A Guide

Are you curious about the cost of living in Saint Petersburg? Apart from being a major cultural, historical, and tourist centre, Russia’s second-largest city is also a hub of high-quality education. But what does it cost to live in Saint Petersburg? In this blog, we will explore the average monthly living cost in Saint Petersburg for different categories of expenses, such as accommodation, food, entertainment, utilities, and transportation. Read on to know more!

Also Read: Cost of Living in Russia

Cost of Living in Saint Petersburg

The average monthly cost of living in Saint Petersburg for a single person (without rent) is 65,459.6 rubles. These costs include food, clothing, transportation, personal care, entertainment, and other miscellaneous expenses. The table below shows the breakdown of these costs in more detail:

Category	Average Monthly Cost (rubles)
Food	20,000
Clothing	5,000
Transportation	3,000
Personal Care	2,000
Entertainment	10,000
Other	25,460
Total (without rent)	65,460

Of course, these costs may vary depending on your lifestyle, preferences, and habits. If you eat out more often, shop at more expensive stores, or go to more concerts and events, your expenses will be higher. On the other hand, if you cook at home more often, shop at cheaper stores, or enjoy free or low-cost activities, your expenses will be lower.

Let’s take a closer look at each category of expenses and see what you can expect to pay in Saint Petersburg.

Living Accommodation

One of the biggest cost of living in Saint Petersburg you will have to face is rent. It depends on the location, size, condition, and amenities of the apartment. So, the closer you are to the city centre or the metro stations, the more expensive the rent will be. Also, the larger and newer the apartment is, the more you will have to pay. Here’s a breakdown of the same:

Accommodation	Average Monthly Rent
85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished apartment in an expensive area	95,380 rubles
85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished apartment in a normal area	58,458 rubles
45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in an expensive area	44,183 rubles
45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in a normal area	28,073 rubles

The table below shows the average monthly rent for different types of student accommodations in Saint Petersburg:

Type of Accommodation	Average Monthly Rent (rubles)
Shared room in a dormitory	5,000 – 10,000
Private room in a shared apartment	15,000 – 25,000
Studio apartment	25,000 – 40,000
One-bedroom apartment	35,000 – 60,000

Also Read: 15 Best Countries for International Students: Study Abroad in the Top Countries!

Food

Another major cost of living in Saint Petersburg you will have to deal with is food. The average monthly cost of food for a single person in Saint Petersburg is around 20,000 rubles. It will depend on where you shop and what you buy. Generally speaking, supermarkets are cheaper than convenience stores or markets. The table below shows some examples of grocery items and their prices in Saint Petersburg: 

Grocery Item	Price (rubles)
Bread (500 g)	51
Milk (1 L)	82
Eggs (12)	105
Cheese (500 g)	414
Chicken (1 kg)	333
Rice (1 kg)	49
Potatoes (1 kg)	40
Tomatoes (1 kg)	206
Apples (1 kg)	112
Bananas (1 kg)	42

If you feel like eating out at restaurants in Saint Petersburg, here’s what it costs:

Eating Out Option	Price (rubles)
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant	700
Meal for two at a mid-range restaurant	2,800
Combo meal at a fast food restaurant	400
Cappuccino at a cafe	176
Beer at a pub	208
Water at a convenience store	44

Entertainment

Another cost of living in Saint Petersburg you will have to consider is entertainment, which costs around 10,000 rubles/month. It will vary with what you like to do and how often you do it. In general, cultural and educational activities are cheaper than recreational and leisure ones. Here are some of entertainment prices in Saint Petersburg:

Entertainment Option	Price (rubles)
Cinema ticket for one person	500
Theater ticket for one person	1,500 – 3,000
Concert ticket for one person	2,000 – 5,000
Fitness club membership for one month	3,000 – 5,000
Tennis court rent for one hour	A cinema ticket for one person
Museum ticket for one person	200 – 500
Park entrance fee for one person	Free – 200

Also Read: Tips and Tricks on Investing While Living Abroad!

Utilities and Bills

Another cost of living in Saint Petersburg you will have to pay is utilities and bills. Depending on the size and condition of your apartment, the season, and your usage habits, here’s how much it costs:

Accommodation	Cost
1-person household in a 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio	4,176 rubles
two-person household in an 85 m2 (900 sqft) apartment	7,534 rubles

The larger and older the apartment is, the more you will have to pay. Also, the colder and darker the season is, the more you will have to pay for heating and electricity. The table below shows the breakdown of these costs in more detail:

Utility or Bill Type	Average Monthly Cost (rubles) for 1-person Household in a 45 m2 Studio	Average Monthly Cost (rubles) for a 2-person Household in an 85 m2 Apartment
Electricity	800 – 1,600	1,500 – 3,000
Heating	1,600 – 3,200	3,000 – 6,000
Water	$300-600	500 -1,000
Garbage Disposal	$50-100	100-200
Internet	$500-1,000	500-1,000

Transportation

This particular cost of living in Saint Petersburg is around 3,000 rubles/month for a single person. It will vary with how far and how often you travel, and what mode of transportation you use. Usually, public transportation like bus, metro, tram, trolleybus, train, and taxi fares is cheaper than private ones. The table below shows some of the transportation prices in Saint Petersburg:

Mode of Transportation	Price (rubles)
One-way ticket for bus, metro, tram, or trolleybus	55
Monthly pass for bus, metro, tram, or trolleybus	2,500
One-way ticket for suburban train	100 – 300
Taxi fare per km	25 – 50
Gasoline per litre	51

Also Read: Expats Living Abroad: Everything You Need to Know!

All in all, living in Saint Petersburg can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it also comes with a price tag. Of course, these costs may vary depending on your lifestyle, preferences, and habits. You can always find ways to save money or spend more on the things that matter to you. The important thing is to plan your budget wisely and enjoy your time in this beautiful city!

FAQs

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