Cost of living in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 42% cheaper than in Almaty (Kazakhstan)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 268 prices entered by 36 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 50% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 50% cheaper than in Almaty (Kazakhstan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bishkek | Almaty | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 384 som (2,066 KZT) | 3,448 KZT | - 40% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 246 som (1,323 KZT) | 2,914 KZT | - 55% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 167 som (896 KZT) | 1,460 KZT | - 39% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 60 som (323 KZT) | 797 KZT | - 59% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 129 som (693 KZT) | 1,355 KZT | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 107 som (573 KZT) | 1,546 KZT | - 63% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 286 som (1,538 KZT) | 2,169 KZT | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 75 som (405 KZT) | 830 KZT | - 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 34 som (184 KZT) | 527 KZT | - 65% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 88 som (472 KZT) | 1,236 KZT | - 62% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 508 som (2,733 KZT) | 4,194 KZT | - 35% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 87 som (467 KZT) | 792 KZT | - 41% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 29 som (155 KZT) | 389 KZT | - 60% | |
| Housing | - 44% | |||
| Housing in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 44% cheaper than in Almaty (Kazakhstan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bishkek | Almaty | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 55,167 som (296,696 KZT) | 570,795 KZT | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 32,367 som (174,070 KZT) | 392,683 KZT | - 56% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,564 som (13,791 KZT) | 26,802 KZT | - 49% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 36,975 som (198,855 KZT) | 351,371 KZT | - 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 22,516 som (121,092 KZT) | 217,876 KZT | - 44% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,832 som (9,854 KZT) | 41,184 KZT | - 76% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 864 som (4,647 KZT) | 4,695 KZT | - 1% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 27,739 som (149,183 KZT) | 138,829 KZT | + 7% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 7,934 som (42,669 KZT) | 38,211 KZT | + 12% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 417 som (2,240 KZT) | 3,607 KZT | - 38% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 398 som (2,142 KZT) | 3,444 KZT | - 38% | |
| Clothes | - 45% | |||
| Clothes in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 45% cheaper than in Almaty (Kazakhstan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bishkek | Almaty | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,669 som (14,356 KZT) | 30,399 KZT | - 53% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,541 som (13,668 KZT) | 27,334 KZT | - 50% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 7,889 som (42,428 KZT) | 46,691 KZT | - 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 7,245 som (38,965 KZT) | 63,879 KZT | - 39% | |
| Transportation | - 18% | |||
| Transportation in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 18% cheaper than in Almaty (Kazakhstan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bishkek | Almaty | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 965,267 som (5,191,299 KZT) | 7,403,890 KZT | - 30% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 48 som (259 KZT) | 219 KZT | + 18% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 882 som (4,741 KZT) | 5,544 KZT | - 14% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 503 som (2,705 KZT) | 3,890 KZT | - 30% | |
| Personal Care | - 53% | |||
| Personal Care in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 53% cheaper than in Almaty (Kazakhstan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bishkek | Almaty | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 288 som (1,549 KZT) | 2,792 KZT | - 45% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 516 som (2,775 KZT) | 6,486 KZT | - 57% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 1,040 som (5,595 KZT) | 7,134 KZT | - 22% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 220 som (1,183 KZT) | 2,445 KZT | - 52% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 199 som (1,071 KZT) | 2,229 KZT | - 52% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 156 som (839 KZT) | 2,029 KZT | - 59% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 77 som (413 KZT) | 1,061 KZT | - 61% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 125 som (673 KZT) | 871 KZT | - 23% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 321 som (1,728 KZT) | 7,586 KZT | - 77% | |
| Entertainment | - 43% | |||
| Entertainment in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 43% cheaper than in Almaty (Kazakhstan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bishkek | Almaty | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,406 som (7,561 KZT) | 11,939 KZT | - 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 535 som (2,878 KZT) | 3,958 KZT | - 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,195 som (11,804 KZT) | 20,330 KZT | - 42% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,205 som (11,858 KZT) | 21,289 KZT | - 44% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 315 som (1,694 KZT) | 3,210 KZT | - 47% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 203 som (1,094 KZT) | 1,281 KZT | - 15% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 132 som (709 KZT) | 1,123 KZT | - 37% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 27,252 som (146,565 KZT) | 358,256 KZT | - 59% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.96 som (16 KZT) | 32 KZT | - 50% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 3,272 som (17,597 KZT) | 28,496 KZT | - 38% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 108 som (579 KZT) | 539 KZT | + 7% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 42% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 268 prices entered by 36 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 21, 2023.
Exchange rate:
5.378
KZT
/
KGS
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require 1,660,000 KZT in Almaty you would need to make just about 966,223 KZT (179,659 som) in Bishkek.
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