Updated 29.06.2026 · Source: Numbeo
The easiest relocation for Russian citizens — no visa, the Russian language, and working international cards. Almaty and Astana are the IT centres.
Cost of living in Kazakhstan in 2026
Real prices from the Relocost database: medians across every city of the country in our catalog. All amounts are in Russian rubles at today's rate.
What the budget consists of
Cost of living by city in Kazakhstan
How we calculate these numbers
The budget figure covers a one-bedroom apartment outside the center, monthly groceries, a monthly transit pass and utilities with internet and mobile. For every line we take the median across the country's cities in our database: a median is more robust than an average and is not skewed by a single expensive megacity. Categories are aggregated independently, so a city missing transit data does not drag down the other lines. The comfortable budget uses central-district rent plus 40% on top of other expenses. Couple and family budgets are derived from the base one: food and transport scale with the number of people, housing for a family with a child is 40% higher. Prices refresh daily.
Cities in Kazakhstan
About the country
Climate
Sharply continental: cold winters and hot summers. Almaty is milder thanks to the mountains, Astana harsher.
Mentality
A multi-ethnic country with a warm attitude towards Russians, especially in the cities. A well-developed Russian-language media environment.
🌍 Полный обзор страны
Особенности жизни, менталитет, лучшие места и практические советы — в одном материале.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- безвизовый режим и простой въезд
- русский язык в обиходе
- низкие налоги для ИП
- близость и прямое сообщение с РФ
What to consider
- резко континентальный климат
- загрязнение воздуха в мегаполисах
- слабее медицина в регионах
- девальвация местной валюты
Overall difficulty of moving
An average score across all cities of the country — from 1 (easy) to 5 (hard).
Is it worth going?
Strengths
- Visa-free or simplified entry for Russians
- Wide choice of cities to relocate to
- Affordable cities with a low cost of living
What to consider
- Challenging climate in some regions
Who is it for
Kazakhstan is one of the most accessible destinations for relocating from Russia.
True Size
How big is Kazakhstan?
Kazakhstan is 2,724,900 km² — the 9th largest country in the world, 6× smaller than Russia.
Size isn’t everything — small countries often offer the best quality of life.
Frequently asked questions about Kazakhstan
Do you need a visa for Kazakhstan in 2026?
What is the climate like in Kazakhstan?
What language do people speak in Kazakhstan?
What is the mentality like in Kazakhstan?
Виза, ВНЖ и налоги — Kazakhstan
Главное для переезда: как въехать, как остаться надолго и сколько платить налогов. Правила меняются — перед поездкой сверяйтесь с официальными источниками.
Виза и въезд
Visa-free for 90 days. Registration is done through eGov. A sole proprietorship can be set up in a day; residence permits are available via employment, business or family.
ВНЖ и легализация
ВНЖ через работу, бизнес или воссоединение семьи; натурализация ориентировочно после 5 лет постоянного проживания. Уточняйте актуальные правила.
Налоги
Плоский подоходный налог около 10%, для ИП есть упрощенные режимы с пониженной ставкой. По состоянию на 2026, уточняйте актуальные правила.
Frequently asked questions about moving to Kazakhstan
How much does it cost to live in Kazakhstan?
Which is the cheapest city in Kazakhstan?
Do I need a residency permit or visa to live in Kazakhstan?
Which city in Kazakhstan is the safest?
How do I choose the right city in Kazakhstan to move to?
Relocation articles · Kazakhstan
АналитикаСколько русских живет в Казахстане в 2026: статистика по годам
СравненияАстана или Бишкек: куда переехать в Центральной Азии в 2026 году
ФинансыАктау: точный бюджет на одного, пару и семью в 2026 году
ФинансыСколько нужно накопить перед переездом в Астану в 2026 году
ФинансыПереезд в Алматы под ключ 2026: сколько денег взять с собой
СравненияМосква или Алматы: где дешевле жить в 2026 году
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