Cost of living in Russia compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 10% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Russia is 10% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Russia | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | руб 494 (45元) | 41元 | + 7% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | руб 361 (33元) | 38元 | - 15% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | руб 213 (19元) | 15元 | + 30% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | руб 86 (8元) | 14元 | - 45% | |
| 12 eggs, large | руб 137 (12元) | 16元 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | руб 208 (19元) | 10元 | + 79% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | руб 441 (40元) | 50元 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | руб 128 (11元) | 16元 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | руб 58 (5.26元) | 6元 | - 19% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | руб 84 (8元) | 7元 | + 13% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | руб 692 (62元) | 89元 | - 30% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | руб 175 (16元) | 8元 | + 96% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | руб 43 (3.87元) | 13元 | - 69% | |
| Housing | - 13% | |||
| Housing in Russia is 13% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Russia | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | руб 102,249 (9,204元) | 11,256元 | - 18% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | руб 56,047 (5,045元) | 5,248元 | - 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | руб 7,760 (699元) | 450元 | + 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | руб 52,573 (4,733元) | 6,564元 | - 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | руб 33,044 (2,975元) | 3,518元 | - 15% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | руб 5,587 (503元) | 296元 | + 70% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | руб 958 (86元) | 100元 | - 13% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | руб 20,885 (1,880元) | 1,460元 | + 29% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | руб 7,221 (650元) | 553元 | + 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | руб 548 (49元) | 43元 | + 15% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | руб 618 (56元) | 50元 | + 12% | |
| Clothes | + 15% | |||
| Clothes in Russia is 15% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Russia | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | руб 6,816 (614元) | 418元 | + 47% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | руб 3,176 (286元) | 302元 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | руб 7,907 (712元) | 553元 | + 29% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | руб 6,921 (623元) | 705元 | - 12% | |
| Transportation | + 3% | |||
| Transportation in Russia is about the same as in China | ||||
| Russia | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | руб 2,485,230 (223,717元) | 137,169元 | + 63% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | руб 56 (5.02元) | 8元 | - 33% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | руб 2,313 (208元) | 228元 | - 9% | |
| Personal Care | - 41% | |||
| Personal Care in Russia is 41% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Russia | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | руб 270 (24元) | 45元 | - 46% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | руб 515 (46元) | 59元 | - 22% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | руб 1,977 (178元) | 114元 | + 56% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | руб 320 (29元) | 67元 | - 57% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | руб 187 (17元) | 57元 | - 70% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | руб 172 (16元) | 25元 | - 38% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | руб 123 (11元) | 6元 | + 79% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | руб 132 (12元) | 15元 | - 22% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | руб 589 (53元) | 64元 | - 18% | |
| Entertainment | + 15% | |||
| Entertainment in Russia is 15% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Russia | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | руб 1,593 (143元) | 169元 | - 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | руб 680 (61元) | 100元 | - 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | руб 6,005 (541元) | 1,179元 | - 54% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | руб 3,237 (291元) | 320元 | - 9% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | руб 473 (43元) | 81元 | - 47% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | руб 177 (16元) | 28元 | - 42% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | руб 236 (21元) | 19元 | + 11% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | руб 50,539 (4,549元) | 3,680元 | + 24% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | руб 23 (2.10元) | 0.34元 | + 526% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | руб 3,349 (301元) | 394元 | - 23% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | руб 197 (18元) | 25元 | - 29% | |
| TOTAL | - 3% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.09002
CNY
/
RUB
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,532 prices entered by 270 different people.
Cost of living in Russia is about the same as in China
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