Cost Of Living in Moscow 2024

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

Whether you're living in Moscow 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 Moscow is 85,000 RUB. Expenses can range from 12,000 RUB at the minimum level to 560,000 RUB at the highest end.

Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Moscow is 140,000 RUB. Expenditure can range from 47,000 RUB to 750,000 RUB per month.

Families

The average cost of living for families in Moscow is 190,000 RUB per month. Families spend anywhere from 66,000 RUB to 1.2M RUB.

Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Moscow is 62,000 RUB. Students spend from 9,400 RUB to 410,000 RUB per month.

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Moscow

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 Moscow is 100% This means that on average, people spend around 100% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 17% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.

Individual
92%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

83%

100%

Couple
97%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

88%

110%

Family
110%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

97%

120%

How do people spend their money in Moscow?

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

People living in Moscow typically spend from 14% to 33% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 25% being the average. The average spend on housing is 37,000 RUB with expenditure ranging from 2,800 RUB to 370,000 RUB. 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 Moscow ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 6,100 RUB with 470 RUB and 61,000 RUB 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 940 RUB to 120,000 RUB on commuting with 12,000 RUB being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 8% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 12%.

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Moscow is 31,000 RUB. The cost of groceries can range between 2,400 RUB to 310,000 RUB. People spend on average about 27% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 19% and 33% respectively.

People in Moscow allocate 4% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 660 RUB to 86,000 RUB with 8,600 RUB 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 380 RUB to 49,000 RUB with 4,900 RUB being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 3% to 9% of total expenses with an average of 5% 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 6% of the monthly expenditure with 4% and 12% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 7,300 RUB per month with 560 RUB being the minimum spent amount and 73,000 RUB being the maximum.

How much money can you save in Moscow 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 Moscow manage to save money from their income every month?

Almost 73% of the surveyed people in Moscow said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 27% said that aren't saving anything.

Percentage of people saving money by population group in Moscow

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

For most people, 15% to 39% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 24% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 42,000 RUB on average with savings ranging from 3,200 RUB to 420,000 RUB.

78% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 72% of couples said the same. 66% of families confirmed their ability to save money.

How much money do people actually save in Moscow?

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 18% to 41% of their monthly income to savings, with 29% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 29,000 RUB with 3,200 RUB and 190,000 RUB 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 16% to 40% of their monthly income, with 27% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 49,000 RUB with 16,000 RUB and 260,000 RUB 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 Moscow can save anywhere between 13% to 35% of their monthly income, with 23% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 65,000 RUB with 23,000 RUB and 420,000 RUB being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Saving Challenges in Moscow

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

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

Around 6% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 16% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% 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. 10% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 19% 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. 12% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for people in Moscow

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 Moscow

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Moscow?

Around 74% of surveyed residents think that living in Moscow is affordable with proper budgeting while 26% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Moscow

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 options71%

Few low-cost options30%

Based on the survey, 71% of the people living in Moscow have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 30% 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 Moscow whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes72%

No28%

Based on the survey, 28% of the people living in Moscow said that they don't have an emergency fund while 72% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in Russia

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 Leteracy56%

We asked residents of Russia whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 44% 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 56% 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 Russia have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 40% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 60% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance40%

Easily manages finances60%

Financial goals of people in Moscow

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Moscow, 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 7% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 37% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 9% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 8% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 9% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 11% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Moscow

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

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in Russia 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 Moscow about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Moscow

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Moscow

Percentage of people who are in debt

According to the survey, 34% of the people in Moscow have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 66% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.

Debt-to-income ratio in Moscow

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 35% of the people's monthly income in Moscow goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Moscow pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 14% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 13% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 15% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 13% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.

Distribution by type of debt in Moscow

11% of debtors in Moscow confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 27% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 19% of people and personal loans rose at 39%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Moscow.

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 Moscow

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Moscow 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 Moscow

Rent Cost in Moscow

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

11,000 RUB

16,000 RUB

42,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$120

$170

$460

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

16,000 RUB

25,000 RUB

63,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$170

$280

$700

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

21,000 RUB

32,000 RUB

84,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$230

$350

$930

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

25,000 RUB

42,000 RUB

110,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$280

$460

$1,300

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

51,000 RUB

130,000 RUB

250,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$560

$1,400

$2,800

Townhouse monthly rent cost

42,000 RUB

63,000 RUB

180,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$460

$700

$2,000

House monthly rent cost

51,000 RUB

130,000 RUB

250,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$560

$1,400

$2,800

Villa monthly rent cost

63,000 RUB

160,000 RUB

250,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$700

$1,700

$2,800

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Moscow ranges between 11,000 RUB and 42,000 RUB, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 16,000 RUB to 63,000 RUB. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 21,000 RUB and 84,000 RUB per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 25,000 RUB to 110,000 RUB. The average rent of a townhouse in Moscow is around 63,000 RUB while house rental costs can be as high as 130,000 RUB per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 63,000 RUB to 250,000 RUB per month.

Apartment and house prices in Moscow

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

2.1M RUB

3.2M RUB

6.3M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$23,000

$35,000

$70,000

1-bedroom apartment price

2.5M RUB

4.2M RUB

16M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$28,000

$46,000

$170,000

2-bedroom apartment price

4.2M RUB

13M RUB

25M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$46,000

$140,000

$280,000

3-bedroom apartment price

14M RUB

21M RUB

63M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$150,000

$230,000

$700,000

Townhouse price

18M RUB

42M RUB

160M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$200,000

$460,000

$1.7M

House price

21M RUB

130M RUB

180M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$230,000

$1.4M

$2M

Villa price

25M RUB

140M RUB

210M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$280,000

$1.5M

$2.3M

The average price of a studio apartment in Moscow can range from 2.1M RUB to 6.3M RUB depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 2.5M RUB to 16M RUB. A villa can cost you 140M RUB on average with prices ranging from 25M RUB to 210M RUB.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

Property prices in Moscow can be x139 to x253 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x139 multiples of the average monthly salary in Moscow.

Rent to income ratio

The average rent-to-income ratio in Moscow is around 38%. This means that people pay 38% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 26% to 50% 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 Moscow

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

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

720 RUB

5,100 RUB

34,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$7.9

$56

$370

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

1,900 RUB

6,300 RUB

41,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$21

$70

$460

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

3,300 RUB

9,400 RUB

61,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$36

$100

$670

Internet and cable cost

540 RUB

1,100 RUB

1,400 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$5.9

$12

$16

Mobile phone bill and charges

430 RUB

720 RUB

2,200 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$4.7

$7.9

$24

The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Moscow ranges between 720 RUB and 34,000 RUB with average being 5,100 RUB, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 6,300 RUB with 1,900 RUB and 41,000 RUB 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 9,400 RUB. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 540 RUB to 1,400 RUB with 1,100 RUB being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 720 RUB but can range between 430 RUB and 2,200 RUB 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 Moscow is around 6.1%. This means that people pay 6.1% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.4% to 11% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Moscow

Prices and cost of goods and services in Moscow

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

Fast food combo meal price

110 RUB

220 RUB

360 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.2

$2.4

$4

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Moscow is approximatly 220 RUB with meal cost ranging from 110 RUB to 360 RUB. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

390 RUB

590 RUB

1,200 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$4.3

$6.4

$13

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 390 RUB and 1,200 RUB with 590 RUB being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Moscow.

Fine dining meal for one price

780 RUB

1,200 RUB

4,700 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$8.6

$13

$52

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 780 RUB to 4,700 RUB with the average cost being 1,200 RUB for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Moscow.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

90 RUB

140 RUB

220 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.99

$1.6

$2.4

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Moscow is around 140 RUB. Price ranges between 90 RUB and 220 RUB depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.

Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

72 RUB

86 RUB

110 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.79

$0.95

$1.2

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Moscow is 86 RUB. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 110 RUB and the minimum being 72 RUB depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

54 RUB

72 RUB

110 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.59

$0.79

$1.2

A dozen eggs costs around 72 RUB on average with 54 RUB and 110 RUB being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

120 RUB

160 RUB

220 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.3

$1.7

$2.5

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Moscow is between 120 RUB and 220 RUB depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 160 RUB.

Pack of beef price

140 RUB

220 RUB

430 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.6

$2.4

$4.7

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 220 RUB. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

58 RUB

79 RUB

110 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.64

$0.87

$1.2

A bag of rice in Moscow costs around 79 RUB on average with prices rangeing between 58 RUB and 110 RUB depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

22 RUB

29 RUB

54 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.24

$0.32

$0.59

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 22 RUB to 54 RUB. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

38 RUB

50 RUB

83 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.42

$0.55

$0.91

A bag of apples costs 50 RUB 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 Moscow is around 32%. This means that people spend 32% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 22% to 39% depending on salary and location.

Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 14,000 RUB per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 1,900 RUB and 90,000 RUB depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 20,000 RUB per month. That number can be get as low as 6,600 RUB or a high as 110,000 RUB. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 12,000 RUB to 220,000 RUB 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 Moscow

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

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

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