Cost of living in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 70% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in Birmingham or in Bishkek? You can help!
Improve the prices for Birmingham! Improve the prices for Bishkek!

WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 246 prices entered by 45 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
Food | - 66% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 66% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bishkek | Birmingham | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 384 som (£3.52) | £12 | - 71% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 246 som (£2.25) | £8 | - 71% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 167 som (£1.53) | £4.29 | - 64% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 60 som (£0.55) | £1.31 | - 58% | |
12 eggs, large | 129 som (£1.18) | £4.07 | - 71% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 107 som (£0.98) | £2.24 | - 56% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 286 som (£2.62) | £4.82 | - 46% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 75 som (£0.69) | £2.60 | - 73% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 34 som (£0.31) | £1.11 | - 72% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 88 som (£0.80) | £1.50 | - 46% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 508 som (£4.66) | £10 | - 55% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 87 som (£0.80) | £2.38 | - 67% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 29 som (£0.26) | £0.95 | - 72% | |
Housing | - 69% | |||
Housing in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 69% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bishkek | Birmingham | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 55,167 som (£506) | £1,326 | - 62% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 32,367 som (£297) | £950 | - 69% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,564 som (£24) | £272 | - 91% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 36,975 som (£339) | £852 | - 60% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 22,516 som (£206) | £921 | - 78% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,832 som (£17) | £94 | - 82% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 864 som (£8) | £31 | - 74% | |
40” flat screen tv | 27,739 som (£254) | £347 | - 27% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 7,934 som (£73) | £84 | - 13% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 417 som (£3.82) | £7 | - 48% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 398 som (£3.65) | £14 | - 73% | |
Clothes | - 25% | |||
Clothes in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 25% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bishkek | Birmingham | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,669 som (£24) | £61 | - 60% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,541 som (£23) | £28 | - 17% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 7,889 som (£72) | £68 | + 6% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 7,245 som (£66) | £66 | + 0% | |
Transportation | - 80% | |||
Transportation in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 80% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bishkek | Birmingham | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 965,267 som (£8,848) | £22,693 | - 61% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 48 som (£0.44) | £1.47 | - 70% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 882 som (£8) | £71 | - 89% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 503 som (£4.61) | £16 | - 70% | |
Personal Care | - 64% | |||
Personal Care in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 64% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bishkek | Birmingham | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 288 som (£2.64) | £7 | - 61% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 516 som (£4.73) | £8 | - 38% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 1,040 som (£10) | £100 | - 90% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 220 som (£2.02) | £3.66 | - 45% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 199 som (£1.83) | £1.98 | - 8% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 156 som (£1.43) | £3.13 | - 54% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 77 som (£0.70) | £1.76 | - 60% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 125 som (£1.15) | £1.76 | - 35% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 321 som (£2.94) | £14 | - 79% | |
Entertainment | - 68% | |||
Entertainment in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 68% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Bishkek | Birmingham | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,406 som (£13) | £24 | - 46% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 535 som (£4.91) | £18 | - 73% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,195 som (£20) | £90 | - 78% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,205 som (£20) | £50 | - 60% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 315 som (£2.89) | £8 | - 66% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 203 som (£1.86) | £3.22 | - 42% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 132 som (£1.21) | £4.16 | - 71% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 27,252 som (£250) | £444 | - 44% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.96 som (£0.03) | £0.37 | - 93% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 3,272 som (£30) | £46 | - 34% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 108 som (£0.99) | £13 | - 92% | |
![]() |
TOTAL | - 70% |

These prices were last updated on September 21, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00917
GBP
/
KGS
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Abu Dhabi is 9% cheaper than in Dubai
- Cost of living in Singapore is 59% more expensive than in Dubai
- Cost of living in Prishtina is 51% cheaper than in Athens
- Cost of living in Toronto is 25% cheaper than in New York City
- Cost of living in Singapore is 12% more expensive than in London
- Cost of living in Panama City is 41% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in London is 280% more expensive than in Delhi
- Cost of living in Madrid is 57% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain is about the same as in Madrid
- Cost of living in Bangkok is 15% cheaper than in Mexico City
Compare other countries
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require £4,000 in Birmingham you would need to make just about £1,187 (129,477 som) in Bishkek.
Do you live in Birmingham? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Turin (Italy)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Shenzhen (China)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Dublin (Ireland)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Oslo (Norway)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Brussels (Belgium)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Naples (Italy)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Lille (France)
Prices recently added
- Monthly rent - 900 sqft furnished accommodation in expensive area in Chicago, Illinois costs $1,017 (34 minutes ago)
- Internet connection 300 mbps, 1 month in São Paulo costs R$ 100 (about 1 hour ago)
- 1 liter of gasoline in Lisbon costs €1.87 (about 1 hour ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Rosario costs ARS $6,000 (about 1 hour ago)
- 1 liter of whole fat milk in San Luis Potosí costs Mex$ 23 (about 2 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Bogotá costs COL$2,500,000 (about 2 hours ago)