Cost Of Living in Bishkek 2024

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Bishkek

Whether you're living in Bishkek or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Bishkek is 15,000 KGS. Expenses can range from 2,100 KGS at the minimum level to 100,000 KGS at the highest end.

Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Bishkek is 25,000 KGS. Expenditure can range from 8,400 KGS to 130,000 KGS per month.

Families

The average cost of living for families in Bishkek is 34,000 KGS per month. Families spend anywhere from 12,000 KGS to 220,000 KGS.

Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Bishkek is 11,000 KGS. Students spend from 1,700 KGS to 75,000 KGS per month.

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Bishkek

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.

Expense to income distribution levels

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Bishkek is 97% This means that on average, people spend around 97% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 14% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.

Individual
88%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

82%

97%

Couple
92%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

86%

100%

Family
100%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

95%

110%

How do people spend their money in Bishkek?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

People living in Bishkek typically spend from 11% to 30% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 22% being the average. The average spend on housing is 6,600 KGS with expenditure ranging from 510 KGS to 66,000 KGS. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Bishkek ranges from 5% to 12% of total expenses with 8% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 1,100 KGS with 84 KGS and 11,000 KGS being the upper and lower limits.

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 170 KGS to 22,000 KGS on commuting with 2,200 KGS being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 6% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 10%.

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Bishkek is 5,500 KGS. The cost of groceries can range between 420 KGS to 55,000 KGS. People spend on average about 29% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 21% and 35% respectively.

People in Bishkek allocate 6% to 14% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 11%. The range of medical expenses range from 120 KGS to 15,000 KGS with 1,500 KGS being the norm.

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 67 KGS to 8,800 KGS with 880 KGS being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most residents.

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 1,300 KGS per month with 100 KGS being the minimum spent amount and 13,000 KGS being the maximum.

How much money can you save in Bishkek every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.

What percentage of people in Bishkek manage to save money from their income every month?

Almost 55% of the surveyed people in Bishkek said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 45% said that aren't saving anything.

Percentage of people saving money by population group in Bishkek

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

For most people, 7.7% to 30% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 14% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 6,200 KGS on average with savings ranging from 480 KGS to 62,000 KGS.

61% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 56% of couples said the same. 50% of families confirmed their ability to save money.

How much money do people actually save in Bishkek?

Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 11% to 32% of their monthly income to savings, with 19% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 4,300 KGS with 480 KGS and 29,000 KGS being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 8.8% to 31% of their monthly income, with 17% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 7,100 KGS with 2,400 KGS and 38,000 KGS being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Families

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Bishkek can save anywhere between 7.7% to 29% of their monthly income, with 14% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 9,500 KGS with 3,300 KGS and 62,000 KGS being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Saving Challenges in Bishkek

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Bishkek. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.

Around 4% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 7% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 12% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 12% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 12% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 5% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 22% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 14% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 2% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for people in Bishkek

Where do people choose to put their savings?

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

• 50% for needs and financial obligations

  This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

• 30% for wants and discretionary spending

  This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

• 20% for savings and emergency fund

  This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

Affordable living in Bishkek

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Bishkek?

Around 46% of surveyed residents think that living in Bishkek is affordable with proper budgeting while 54% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Bishkek

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options58%

Few low-cost options43%

Based on the survey, 58% of the people living in Bishkek have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 43% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Bishkek whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes44%

No56%

Based on the survey, 56% of the people living in Bishkek said that they don't have an emergency fund while 44% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in Kyrgyzstan

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy37%

We asked residents of Kyrgyzstan whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 63% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 37% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.

Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether residents of Kyrgyzstan have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 61% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 39% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance61%

Easily manages finances39%

Financial goals of people in Bishkek

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Bishkek, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.

Around 9% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 46% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 11% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 6% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 19% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 6% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 5% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 15% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Bishkek

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Bishkek and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in Kyrgyzstan is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents of Bishkek about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Bishkek

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Bishkek

Percentage of people who are in debt

According to the survey, 38% of the people in Bishkek have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 62% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.

Debt-to-income ratio in Bishkek

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 37% of the people's monthly income in Bishkek goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

According to our data, 4% of the debtors in Bishkek pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 20% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 16% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 18% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 9% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.

Distribution by type of debt in Bishkek

7% of debtors in Bishkek confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 31% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 13% of people and personal loans rose at 45%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Bishkek.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.

Loan Affordability Index in Bishkek

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Bishkek how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Bishkek

Rent Cost in Bishkek

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

1,800 KGS

2,700 KGS

7,200 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$20

$30

$81

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

2,700 KGS

4,300 KGS

11,000 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$30

$48

$120

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

3,600 KGS

5,400 KGS

14,000 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$40

$60

$160

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

4,300 KGS

7,200 KGS

20,000 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$48

$81

$220

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

8,600 KGS

22,000 KGS

43,000 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$97

$240

$480

Townhouse monthly rent cost

7,200 KGS

11,000 KGS

31,000 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$81

$120

$350

House monthly rent cost

8,600 KGS

22,000 KGS

43,000 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$97

$240

$480

Villa monthly rent cost

11,000 KGS

27,000 KGS

43,000 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$120

$300

$480

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Bishkek ranges between 1,800 KGS and 7,200 KGS, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 2,700 KGS to 11,000 KGS. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 3,600 KGS and 14,000 KGS per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 4,300 KGS to 20,000 KGS. The average rent of a townhouse in Bishkek is around 11,000 KGS while house rental costs can be as high as 22,000 KGS per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 11,000 KGS to 43,000 KGS per month.

Apartment and house prices in Bishkek

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

360,000 KGS

540,000 KGS

1.1M KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$4,000

$6,000

$12,000

1-bedroom apartment price

430,000 KGS

720,000 KGS

2.7M KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$4,800

$8,100

$30,000

2-bedroom apartment price

720,000 KGS

2.2M KGS

4.3M KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$8,100

$24,000

$48,000

3-bedroom apartment price

2.4M KGS

3.6M KGS

11M KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$27,000

$40,000

$120,000

Townhouse price

3.1M KGS

7.2M KGS

27M KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$35,000

$81,000

$300,000

House price

3.6M KGS

22M KGS

31M KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$40,000

$240,000

$350,000

Villa price

4.3M KGS

24M KGS

36M KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$48,000

$270,000

$400,000

The average price of a studio apartment in Bishkek can range from 360,000 KGS to 1.1M KGS depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 430,000 KGS to 2.7M KGS. A villa can cost you 24M KGS on average with prices ranging from 4.3M KGS to 36M KGS.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

Property prices in Bishkek can be x82 to x203 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x82 multiples of the average monthly salary in Bishkek.

Rent to income ratio

The average rent-to-income ratio in Bishkek is around 30%. This means that people pay 30% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 19% to 41% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Bishkek

Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Bishkek

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

130 KGS

910 KGS

6,100 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.4

$10

$68

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

340 KGS

1,100 KGS

7,400 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$3.8

$13

$83

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

590 KGS

1,700 KGS

11,000 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$6.6

$19

$120

Internet and cable cost

98 KGS

200 KGS

260 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.1

$2.2

$2.9

Mobile phone bill and charges

79 KGS

130 KGS

390 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.88

$1.5

$4.4

The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Bishkek ranges between 130 KGS and 6,100 KGS with average being 910 KGS, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 1,100 KGS with 340 KGS and 7,400 KGS being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 1,700 KGS. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 98 KGS to 260 KGS with 200 KGS being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 130 KGS but can range between 79 KGS and 390 KGS depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.

Energy / Utility expense to income ratio

The average utility-to-income ratio in Bishkek is around 7.7%. This means that people pay 7.7% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4.4% to 12% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Bishkek

Prices and cost of goods and services in Bishkek

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

20 KGS

39 KGS

65 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.22

$0.44

$0.73

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Bishkek is approximatly 39 KGS with meal cost ranging from 20 KGS to 65 KGS. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

69 KGS

100 KGS

210 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.77

$1.2

$2.3

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 69 KGS and 210 KGS with 100 KGS being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Bishkek.

Fine dining meal for one price

140 KGS

210 KGS

820 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.5

$2.3

$9.2

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 140 KGS to 820 KGS with the average cost being 210 KGS for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Bishkek.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

16 KGS

26 KGS

39 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.18

$0.29

$0.44

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Bishkek is around 26 KGS. Price ranges between 16 KGS and 39 KGS depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.

Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

13 KGS

16 KGS

20 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.15

$0.18

$0.22

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Bishkek is 16 KGS. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 20 KGS and the minimum being 13 KGS depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

9.8 KGS

13 KGS

20 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.11

$0.15

$0.22

A dozen eggs costs around 13 KGS on average with 9.8 KGS and 20 KGS being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

22 KGS

29 KGS

41 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.25

$0.32

$0.46

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Bishkek is between 22 KGS and 41 KGS depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 29 KGS.

Pack of beef price

26 KGS

39 KGS

79 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.29

$0.44

$0.88

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 39 KGS. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

11 KGS

14 KGS

20 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.12

$0.16

$0.23

A bag of rice in Bishkek costs around 14 KGS on average with prices rangeing between 11 KGS and 20 KGS depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

3.9 KGS

5.2 KGS

9.8 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.04

$0.06

$0.11

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 3.9 KGS to 9.8 KGS. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

7 KGS

9.2 KGS

15 KGS

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.08

$0.10

$0.17

A bag of apples costs 9.2 KGS on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Bishkek is around 31%. This means that people spend 31% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 22% to 38% depending on salary and location.

Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 2,400 KGS per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 340 KGS and 16,000 KGS depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 3,500 KGS per month. That number can be get as low as 1,200 KGS or a high as 19,000 KGS. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 2,100 KGS to 39,000 KGS with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Bishkek

CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Bishkek

FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Bishkek

StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Bishkek