Cost of Living in Russia for International Students and Family

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Russia has a rich culture, gorgeous scenery, and diverse cities. Today, it attracts individuals worldwide seeking jobs, education, or tourism. Living costs are low in some places in Russia, although Moscow and St. Petersburg can be pricey.

This article analyses the average cost of living in Russia to help you prepare for specific expenses before making the move.

So, keep reading to learn more.

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Average Cost of Living in Russia for International Students

Russia is now among the top choices for international students looking to study abroad. The average cost of living in Russia for foreign students is broken down as follows:

Area of expense Monthly Expenses (in RUB)
Accommodation RUB 2,800 - RUB 50,000
Food and Groceries RUB 5,500 - RUB 16,000
Transportation RUB 600 - RUB 2,600
Utilities RUB 4,000 - RUB 10,000
Entertainment RUB 1,800 - RUB 5,000
Personal Expenses RUB 2,800 - RUB 5,000

Average Cost of Living in Russia for Bachelors, Couples & Families

Knowing the average cost of living in Russia is essential for wise financial planning, whether you're a single person, a couple, or a parent raising a family. 

 

The following table will assist you in making appropriate financial plans:

Area of expense Bachelors Couples Families
Accommodation City Centre: RUB 40,000 - RUB 55,000/month
Suburban Areas: RUB 35,000 - RUB 55,000/month		 City Centre: RUB 55,000 - RUB 85,000/month
Suburban Areas: RUB 45,000 - RUB 60,000/month		 City Centre: RUB 85,000 - RUB 1,40,000/month
Suburban Areas: RUB 55,000 - RUB 95,000/month
Food and Groceries RUB 6,000 - RUB 10,000/week RUB 10,000 - RUB 16,500/week RUB 13,500 - RUB 23,500/week
Transportation RUB 1,500 - RUB 3,000/week RUB 2,500 - RUB 5,000/week RUB 7,500 - RUB 12,500/week
Utilities RUB 1,500 - RUB 3,000/month RUB 2,500 - RUB 5,000/month RUB 7,500 - RUB 12,000/month
Entertainment RUB 3,000 - RUB 10,000/week RUB 6,000 - RUB 12,000/week RUB 9,000 - RUB 18,000/week
Personal Expenses RUB 4,000 - RUB 8,000/week RUB 8,000 - RUB 12,000/week RUB 10,000 - RUB 15,000/week

Cost of Living in Major Cities in Russia

Cost of Living in Moscow

The average cost of living in Moscow is as follows:

Area of Expense Students Bachelors Couples Families
Accommodation RUB 25,000 – RUB 40,000/month RUB 60,000- RUB 80,000/month RUB 90,000 - RUB 1,20,000/month RUB 1,10,000- RUB 1,50,000/month
Food and Groceries RUB 15,000- 20,000/month RUB 25,000- 35,000/month RUB 30,000 - RUB 45,000/month RUB 50,000- RUB 70,000/month
Transportation RUB 2,730/month RUB 2,730/month RUB 5,460/month RUB 10,920/month
Utilities RUB 7,997/month RUB 7,997/month RUB 8,858/month RUB 9,985/month
Entertainment RUB 4,000-RUB 8,000/month RUB 6,000-RUB 12,000/month RUB 10,000 - RUB 20,000/month RUB 20,000 – RUB 30,000/month

Cost of Living in St. Petersburg

The average cost of living in St. Petersburg is as follows: 

Area of Expense Students Bachelors Couples Families
Accommodation RUB 25,000 – RUB 35,000/month RUB 50,000- RUB 70,000/month RUB 70,000 - RUB 1,00,000/month RUB 90,000- RUB 1,30,000/month
Food and Groceries RUB 13,000- 18,000/month RUB 22,000- 30,000/month RUB 28,000 - RUB 40,000/month RUB 40,000- RUB 55,000/month
Transportation RUB 3,600/month RUB 3,600/month RUB 7,200/month RUB 14,400/month
Utilities RUB 7,245/month RUB 7,245/month RUB 7,979/month RUB 8,903/month
Entertainment RUB 3,000-RUB 6,000/month RUB 5,000-RUB 10,000/month RUB 8,000 - RUB 15,000/month RUB 15,000 – RUB 25,000/month

Cost of Living in Kazan

The average cost of living in Kazan is as follows:

Area of Expense Students Bachelors Couples Families
Accommodation RUB 15,000 – RUB 25,000/month RUB 35,000- RUB 50,000/month RUB 50,000 - RUB 70,000/month RUB 70,000- RUB 90,000/month
Food and Groceries RUB 10,000- 15,000/month RUB 18,000- 25,000/month RUB 22,000 - RUB 30,000/month RUB 30,000- RUB 40,000/month
Transportation RUB 2,500/month RUB 2,500/month RUB 5,000/month RUB 10,000/month
Utilities RUB 5,761/month RUB 5,761/month RUB 6,453/month RUB 7,348/month
Entertainment RUB 2,500-RUB 5,000/month RUB 4,000-RUB 8,000/month RUB 6,000 - RUB 12,000/month RUB 12,000 – RUB 20,000/month

Cost of Living in Novosibirsk

The average cost of living in Novosibirsk is as follows:

Area of Expense Students Bachelors Couples Families
Accommodation RUB 15,000 – RUB 25,000/month RUB 35,000- RUB 50,000/month RUB 50,000 - RUB 70,000/month RUB 70,000- RUB 90,000/month
Food and Groceries RUB 10,000- 15,000/month RUB 18,000- 25,000/month RUB 22,000 - RUB 30,000/month RUB 30,000- RUB 40,000/month
Transportation RUB 2,500/month RUB 2,500/month RUB 5,000/month RUB 10,000/month
Utilities RUB 5,761/month RUB 5,761/month RUB 6,453/month RUB 7,348/month
Entertainment RUB 2,500-RUB 5,000/month RUB 4,000-RUB 8,000/month RUB 6,000 - RUB 12,000/month RUB 12,000 – RUB 20,000/month

Cost of Living in Yekaterinburg

The average cost of living in Yekaterinburg is as follows:

Area of Expense Students Bachelors Couples Families
Accommodation RUB 18,000 – RUB 28,000/month RUB 40,000- RUB 55,000/month RUB 55,000 - RUB 75,000/month RUB 75,000- RUB 1,00,000/month
Food and Groceries RUB 12,000- 16,000/month RUB 20,000- 30,000/month RUB 25,000 - RUB 35,000/month RUB 35,000- RUB 45,000/month
Transportation RUB 2,500/month RUB 2,500/month RUB 5,000/month RUB 10,000/month
Utilities RUB 6,785/month RUB 6,785/month RUB 7,507/month RUB 8,301/month
Entertainment RUB 3,500-RUB 6,000/month RUB 5,500-RUB 10,000/month RUB 8,000 - RUB 15,000/month RUB 15,000 – RUB 25,000/month

Factors Impacting the Cost of Living in Russia

The following are some of the main variables that affect how much it costs to live in Russia:

1. Location

Major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg are significantly more expensive than rural or regional areas. Rent, utilities, and food costs are greater in larger cities, whereas living in smaller cities like Kazan or Novosibirsk is comparatively less expensive.

2. Lifestyle

This expense may vary significantly depending on one's lifestyle. Dining, entertainment, and leisure expenses are typically higher in large cities. Choosing expensive products and eating out more frequently will result in higher expenses, even if you save money on food by cooking for yourself or eating at local markets.

3. Housing

Probably the biggest cost, particularly in the central districts of Moscow and St. Petersburg, where rents are comparable to those in Western Europe. However, the rent will be significantly less if you relocate to a smaller city or the suburbs.

4. Public Transit

Most large cities have access to affordable public transportation. For example, a monthly metro pass in Moscow costs roughly RUB 2,500, far less expensive than owning a car. Smaller cities, however, offer fewer options for transportation, necessitating the use of a car and significantly raising the costs associated with gasoline, upkeep, and parking.

5. Utilities & Groceries

Russia's utilities are cheaper than most other countries. Heating can be expensive in colder climates or older towns with outdated infrastructure. Food is expensive in the city, especially imported goods. Smaller towns have much cheaper local food. Rural areas would be cheaper, but fewer selections and long-distance delivery would cost more.

What is the Average Income in Russia?

The average income in Russia is about 1,249,900 RUB per year. Below is an overview of Russia's 2024 income levels, which are necessary for a reasonable life in several categories, and the average incomes of specific job profiles in Russian Rubles.

  • Student: With RUB 400,000–600,000 (about RUB 33,000–50,000 per month), students can live well in Moscow and St. Petersburg. These expenditures are relative to other parts of Russia because housing, food, and transportation may be more expensive.
  • Bachelor: To live well in Moscow or St. Petersburg, a bachelor must earn RUB 900,000–1,200,000 a year or RUB 75,000–100,000 RUB per month.
  • Couple: The average couple needs RUB 1,600,000–2,200,000 per year—RUB 130,000–180,000 per month—to afford housing, food, transportation, and leisure.
  • Families: A four-person family can enjoy life in big cities with a monthly RUB 2,500,000–3,500,000 monthly salary.

The following table provides an overview of the average salary in Australia:

Job Profile Average Salary (in RUB)
Neurosurgeon RUB 5,500,000 - RUB 9,000,000
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) RUB 5,000,000 - RUB 8,500,000
Anaesthetist RUB 4,500,000- RUB 6,000,000
Financial Analyst RUB 2,500,000- RUB 4,000,000
Head of HR/HR Director RUB 2,000,000- RUB 3,500,000
Legal Professionals RUB 1,500,000- RUB 3,000,000
Construction Manager RUB 2,000,000- RUB 3,500,000
Mining Engineer RUB 2,500,000- RUB 3,000,000
Financial Investment Advisor RUB 2,500,000- RUB 5,500,000
Pilot RUB 3,000,000- RUB 6,500,000
Software Architect RUB 2,000,000- RUB 3,500,000
Project Manager RUB 1,800,000- RUB 3,000,000
Architect RUB 1,200,000- RUB 2,000,000
Civil Engineer RUB 1,000,000- RUB 1,500,000
Teacher RUB 600,000- RUB 1,000,000
Registered Nurse RUB 600,000- RUB 900,000
Accountant RUB 400,000- RUB 1,000,000
Secretary RUB 400,000- RUB 800,000

How Expensive is Russia Compared to Other Countries?

Russia offers comparatively cheap living expenses as compared to numerous Western nations. According to global standards, it's 67% cheaper than the average. Housing, public transit, and healthcare in Russia are all reasonably priced, which helps keep living expenses down for Russians and visitors.


Wages in Russia are far lower than in other industrialised nations, and social services may need to be more consistent. Look at the table below that compares the average living cost in Russia with other major places:

City Accommodation (1BHK) (Monthly) Transportation (Monthly) Meal for 2 People (3 course) Others (Miscellaneous Expenses)
Moscow Starting RUB 50,000- RUB 75,000 Starting RUB 2,000- RUB 2,500 RUB 3,500- RUB 5,000 RUB 5,000- RUB 10,000
New York Starting $2,960 Starting $132 $130 Starting $200 (per month)
Sydney Starting AUD 2,255.23 Starting AUD 160 AUD 120 AUD 50 - AUD 100 (per month)
London Starting £1,100 Starting £177 £80 £200 - £300 (per month)
Singapore Starting S$2,000 - S$4,000 Starting S$1,000 - S$1,500 S$92.50 S$200 - S$400 (per month)
Dubai Starting AED 4,904 Starting AED 300 AED 300 AED 600 (per month)
Tokyo Starting ¥150,000 - ¥200,000 Starting ¥10,000 to ¥15,000 ¥7,125 ¥10,000 - ¥15,000 (per month)
Berlin Starting €800 - €1,200 Starting €80 to €90 €70 €100 - €200 (per month)
Shanghai Starting CNY 3,785 Starting CNY 250 CNY 200 CNY440 (per month)

Tips for Reducing the Cost of Living in Russia

The following advice will assist you in reducing your cost of living in Russia:

  • Keep tabs on your expenditures. Spreadsheets and budgeting apps will highlight areas where you overspend so you can save.

  • To reduce housing expenses, rent flats in suburban areas or city outskirts. You can even share the apartment with other people to divide the cost.

  • The public transportation system in Russia is reasonably well-developed, especially in Saint Petersburg and Moscow. Using the bus, tram, or metro will save you much money than driving a car.

  • To save on groceries, Purchase large quantities from wholesale retailers or go grocery shopping at the neighbourhood outdoor markets. Seasonal and local produce is typically less expensive.

  • Reduce your utility costs by residing in flats equipped with energy-efficient appliances and being mindful of how little you use heat and electricity, particularly in winter.

  • While studying in the nation, you can find part-time work to help pay for some costs. It is highly recommended that students find part-time work when studying in Russia.

The following article provides an approximate idea of average expenses in Russia, should you relocate there for study purposes or with your family. The cost of living in Russia is cheaper than in many Western countries, and you can achieve affordable living via budgeting and sound financial planning in a nation with such a rich and diverse history.

FAQs about the Cost of Living in Russia