Cost Of Living in Saratov 2024

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

Whether you're living in Saratov 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 Saratov is 62,000 RUB. Expenses can range from 8,800 RUB at the minimum level to 420,000 RUB at the highest end.

Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Saratov is 100,000 RUB. Expenditure can range from 35,000 RUB to 550,000 RUB per month.

Families

The average cost of living for families in Saratov is 140,000 RUB per month. Families spend anywhere from 49,000 RUB to 900,000 RUB.

Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Saratov is 46,000 RUB. Students spend from 6,900 RUB to 300,000 RUB per month.

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Saratov

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 Saratov is 75% This means that on average, people spend around 75% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 15% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.

Individual
68%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

61%

75%

Couple
71%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

65%

79%

Family
79%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

71%

87%

How do people spend their money in Saratov?

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

People living in Saratov typically spend from 12% to 31% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 23% being the average. The average spend on housing is 27,000 RUB with expenditure ranging from 2,100 RUB to 270,000 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 Saratov ranges from 5% to 12% of total expenses with 8% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 4,500 RUB with 350 RUB and 45,000 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 690 RUB to 90,000 RUB on commuting with 9,000 RUB being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 7% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 11%.

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Saratov is 23,000 RUB. The cost of groceries can range between 1,700 RUB to 230,000 RUB. People spend on average about 28% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 20% and 34% respectively.

People in Saratov allocate 5% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 490 RUB to 63,000 RUB with 6,300 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 280 RUB to 36,000 RUB with 3,600 RUB 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 5,400 RUB per month with 420 RUB being the minimum spent amount and 54,000 RUB being the maximum.

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

Almost 54% of the surveyed people in Saratov said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 46% said that aren't saving anything.

Percentage of people saving money by population group in Saratov

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

For most people, 11% to 29% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 18% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 31,000 RUB on average with savings ranging from 2,400 RUB to 310,000 RUB.

57% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 53% of couples said the same. 48% of families confirmed their ability to save money.

How much money do people actually save in Saratov?

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 13% to 30% of their monthly income to savings, with 22% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 22,000 RUB with 2,400 RUB and 140,000 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 12% to 30% of their monthly income, with 20% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 36,000 RUB with 12,000 RUB and 190,000 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 Saratov can save anywhere between 9.8% to 26% of their monthly income, with 17% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 48,000 RUB with 17,000 RUB and 310,000 RUB being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Saving Challenges in Saratov

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

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

Around 5% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 8% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 13% 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. 21% 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. 13% 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, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for people in Saratov

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 Saratov

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Saratov?

Around 55% of surveyed residents think that living in Saratov is affordable with proper budgeting while 45% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Saratov

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 options52%

Few low-cost options48%

Based on the survey, 52% of the people living in Saratov have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 48% 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 Saratov whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes53%

No47%

Based on the survey, 47% of the people living in Saratov said that they don't have an emergency fund while 53% 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 Saratov

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Saratov, 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 8% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 43% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 10% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 7% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 18% 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 6% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 14% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Saratov

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Saratov 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 Saratov about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Saratov

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Saratov

Percentage of people who are in debt

According to the survey, 25% of the people in Saratov have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 75% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.

Debt-to-income ratio in Saratov

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 26% of the people's monthly income in Saratov goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Saratov pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 18% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 15% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 17% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 10% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.

Distribution by type of debt in Saratov

8% of debtors in Saratov confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 30% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 15% of people and personal loans rose at 43%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Saratov.

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 Saratov

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

Rent Cost in Saratov

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

7,800 RUB

12,000 RUB

31,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$85

$130

$340

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

12,000 RUB

19,000 RUB

47,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$130

$210

$510

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

16,000 RUB

23,000 RUB

62,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$170

$260

$680

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

19,000 RUB

31,000 RUB

85,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$210

$340

$930

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

37,000 RUB

93,000 RUB

190,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$410

$1,000

$2,100

Townhouse monthly rent cost

31,000 RUB

47,000 RUB

130,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$340

$510

$1,500

House monthly rent cost

37,000 RUB

93,000 RUB

190,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$410

$1,000

$2,100

Villa monthly rent cost

47,000 RUB

120,000 RUB

190,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$510

$1,300

$2,100

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Saratov ranges between 7,800 RUB and 31,000 RUB, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 12,000 RUB to 47,000 RUB. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 16,000 RUB and 62,000 RUB per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 19,000 RUB to 85,000 RUB. The average rent of a townhouse in Saratov is around 47,000 RUB while house rental costs can be as high as 93,000 RUB per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 47,000 RUB to 190,000 RUB per month.

Apartment and house prices in Saratov

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

1.6M RUB

2.3M RUB

4.7M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$17,000

$26,000

$51,000

1-bedroom apartment price

1.9M RUB

3.1M RUB

12M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$21,000

$34,000

$130,000

2-bedroom apartment price

3.1M RUB

9.3M RUB

19M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$34,000

$100,000

$210,000

3-bedroom apartment price

10M RUB

16M RUB

47M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$110,000

$170,000

$510,000

Townhouse price

13M RUB

31M RUB

120M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$150,000

$340,000

$1.3M

House price

16M RUB

93M RUB

130M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$170,000

$1M

$1.5M

Villa price

19M RUB

100M RUB

160M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$210,000

$1.1M

$1.7M

The average price of a studio apartment in Saratov can range from 1.6M RUB to 4.7M RUB depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 1.9M RUB to 12M RUB. A villa can cost you 100M RUB on average with prices ranging from 19M RUB to 160M RUB.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

Property prices in Saratov can be x102 to x186 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x102 multiples of the average monthly salary in Saratov.

Rent to income ratio

The average rent-to-income ratio in Saratov is around 28%. This means that people pay 28% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 19% to 37% 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 Saratov

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

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

530 RUB

3,700 RUB

25,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$5.8

$41

$270

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

1,400 RUB

4,700 RUB

30,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$15

$51

$340

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

2,400 RUB

6,900 RUB

45,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$27

$76

$500

Internet and cable cost

500 RUB

990 RUB

1,300 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$5.5

$11

$15

Mobile phone bill and charges

400 RUB

660 RUB

2,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$4.4

$7.3

$22

The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Saratov ranges between 530 RUB and 25,000 RUB with average being 3,700 RUB, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 4,700 RUB with 1,400 RUB and 30,000 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 6,900 RUB. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 500 RUB to 1,300 RUB with 990 RUB being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 660 RUB but can range between 400 RUB and 2,000 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 Saratov is around 4.5%. This means that people pay 4.5% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 1.8% to 8.1% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Saratov

Prices and cost of goods and services in Saratov

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

Fast food combo meal price

99 RUB

200 RUB

330 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.1

$2.2

$3.6

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Saratov is approximatly 200 RUB with meal cost ranging from 99 RUB to 330 RUB. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

320 RUB

480 RUB

960 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$3.5

$5.3

$11

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 320 RUB and 960 RUB with 480 RUB being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Saratov.

Fine dining meal for one price

640 RUB

960 RUB

3,900 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$7.1

$11

$42

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 640 RUB to 3,900 RUB with the average cost being 960 RUB for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Saratov.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

83 RUB

130 RUB

200 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.91

$1.5

$2.2

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Saratov is around 130 RUB. Price ranges between 83 RUB and 200 RUB depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.

Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

66 RUB

80 RUB

99 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.73

$0.88

$1.1

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Saratov is 80 RUB. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 99 RUB and the minimum being 66 RUB depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

50 RUB

66 RUB

99 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.55

$0.73

$1.1

A dozen eggs costs around 66 RUB on average with 50 RUB and 99 RUB being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

110 RUB

150 RUB

210 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.2

$1.6

$2.3

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Saratov is between 110 RUB and 210 RUB depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 150 RUB.

Pack of beef price

130 RUB

200 RUB

400 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.5

$2.2

$4.4

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 200 RUB. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

53 RUB

73 RUB

100 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.59

$0.80

$1.1

A bag of rice in Saratov costs around 73 RUB on average with prices rangeing between 53 RUB and 100 RUB depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

20 RUB

27 RUB

50 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.22

$0.29

$0.55

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 20 RUB to 50 RUB. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

36 RUB

46 RUB

76 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.39

$0.51

$0.84

A bag of apples costs 46 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 Saratov is around 23%. This means that people spend 23% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 16% to 29% depending on salary and location.

Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 10,000 RUB per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 1,400 RUB and 67,000 RUB depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 15,000 RUB per month. That number can be get as low as 4,900 RUB or a high as 78,000 RUB. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 8,700 RUB to 160,000 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 Saratov

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

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

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