Cost of living in Almaty (Kazakhstan) is 16% cheaper than in Beijing (China)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 200 prices entered by 32 different people.
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Food | + 10% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Almaty (Kazakhstan) is 10% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Almaty | Beijing | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 4,203 KZT (60元) | 34元 | + 74% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 3,100 KZT (44元) | 36元 | + 22% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,239 KZT (18元) | 12元 | + 53% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 797 KZT (11元) | 14元 | - 16% | |
12 eggs, large | 900 KZT (13元) | 16元 | - 18% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 1,153 KZT (16元) | 9元 | + 88% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,849 KZT (26元) | 54元 | - 51% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 633 KZT (9元) | 15元 | - 39% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 320 KZT (4.55元) | 6元 | - 26% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 574 KZT (8元) | 6元 | + 31% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 6,706 KZT (95元) | 79元 | + 20% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 771 KZT (11元) | 10元 | + 13% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 316 KZT (4.50元) | 10元 | - 55% | |
Housing | - 36% | |||
Housing in Almaty (Kazakhstan) is 36% cheaper than in Beijing (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Almaty | Beijing | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 518,399 KZT (7,377元) | 16,590元 | - 56% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 378,056 KZT (5,380元) | 8,120元 | - 34% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 28,058 KZT (399元) | 382元 | + 4% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 360,118 KZT (5,125元) | 7,358元 | - 30% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 240,174 KZT (3,418元) | 4,126元 | - 17% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 17,845 KZT (254元) | 193元 | + 32% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 4,211 KZT (60元) | 91元 | - 34% | |
40” flat screen tv | 148,736 KZT (2,117元) | 1,862元 | + 14% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 91,719 KZT (1,305元) | 560元 | + 133% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 8,258 KZT (118元) | 34元 | + 247% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 4,146 KZT (59元) | 57元 | + 4% | |
Clothes | + 6% | |||
Clothes in Almaty (Kazakhstan) is 6% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Almaty | Beijing | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 35,509 KZT (505元) | 441元 | + 15% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 16,962 KZT (241元) | 252元 | - 4% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 43,079 KZT (613元) | 597元 | + 3% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 66,649 KZT (948元) | 797元 | + 19% | |
Transportation | - 29% | |||
Transportation in Almaty (Kazakhstan) is 29% cheaper than in Beijing (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Almaty | Beijing | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 19,214,800 KZT (273,444元) | 154,765元 | + 77% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 253 KZT (3.60元) | 8元 | - 57% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 6,062 KZT (86元) | 249元 | - 65% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 3,409 KZT (49元) | 38元 | + 28% | |
Personal Care | + 7% | |||
Personal Care in Almaty (Kazakhstan) is 7% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Almaty | Beijing | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 3,001 KZT (43元) | 28元 | + 52% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 4,778 KZT (68元) | 46元 | + 49% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 9,289 KZT (132元) | 242元 | - 45% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 1,411 KZT (20元) | 43元 | - 53% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3,237 KZT (46元) | 38元 | + 22% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,798 KZT (26元) | 25元 | + 1% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 755 KZT (11元) | 10元 | + 12% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 865 KZT (12元) | 14元 | - 13% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,986 KZT (71元) | 86元 | - 17% | |
Entertainment | + 8% | |||
Entertainment in Almaty (Kazakhstan) is 8% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Almaty | Beijing | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 11,171 KZT (159元) | 239元 | - 33% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 4,538 KZT (65元) | 120元 | - 46% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 16,928 KZT (241元) | 951元 | - 75% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 25,910 KZT (369元) | 200元 | + 84% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 2,572 KZT (37元) | 73元 | - 50% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 1,343 KZT (19元) | 28元 | - 32% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,739 KZT (25元) | 10元 | + 137% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 376,792 KZT (5,362元) | 3,423元 | + 57% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 50 KZT (0.72元) | 0.41元 | + 73% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 33,613 KZT (478元) | 389元 | + 23% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 816 KZT (12元) | 25元 | - 53% | |
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TOTAL | - 16% |

These prices were last updated on February 09, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.01423
CNY
/
KZT
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require 53,000元 in Beijing you would need to make just about 44,308元 (3,113,473 KZT) in Almaty.
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