Cost Of Living For a Student in Almaty 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: KZT
Average monthly spending for students in Almaty
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Almaty?
Students in Almaty spend around 210,000 KZT per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 32,000 KZT or as high as 1.4M KZT. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Almaty
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 380 KZT | 770 KZT | 1,300 KZT |
Restaurant meal for one
| 1,300 KZT | 2,000 KZT | 4,000 KZT |
Fine dining meal for one
| 2,700 KZT | 4,000 KZT | 16,000 KZT |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
| 510 KZT | 770 KZT | 1,500 KZT |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 1,900 KZT | 2,600 KZT | 5,100 KZT |
Average car 1-day rental
| 2,100 KZT | 2,800 KZT | 4,200 KZT |
Average car price
| 960,000 KZT | 1.9M KZT | 2.6M KZT |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 2,800 KZT | 4,200 KZT | 8,400 KZT |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 1,300 KZT | 8,400 KZT | 56,000 KZT |
Internet and cable
| 1,900 KZT | 3,800 KZT | 5,100 KZT |
Mobile phone charges
| 1,500 KZT | 2,600 KZT | 7,700 KZT |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 960 KZT | 1,300 KZT | 1,900 KZT |
One month gym membership
| 3,400 KZT | 4,200 KZT | 8,400 KZT |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 2,500 KZT | 3,500 KZT | 5,300 KZT |
Woman dress
| 2,300 KZT | 3,200 KZT | 11,000 KZT |
Woman shoes
| 2,200 KZT | 3,000 KZT | 7,000 KZT |
Men's shoes
| 1,900 KZT | 2,300 KZT | 4,700 KZT |
Men suit
| 2,100 KZT | 2,600 KZT | 14,000 KZT |
Regular t-shirt
| 1,100 KZT | 1,400 KZT | 4,200 KZT |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 35,000 KZT | 53,000 KZT | 140,000 KZT |
1-bedroom apartment
| 53,000 KZT | 84,000 KZT | 210,000 KZT |
2-bedroom apartment
| 70,000 KZT | 110,000 KZT | 280,000 KZT |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 38,000 KZT | 48,000 KZT | 64,000 KZT |
Double Bed
| 26,000 KZT | 38,000 KZT | 48,000 KZT |
Single Bed
| 23,000 KZT | 29,000 KZT | 38,000 KZT |
Living Room
| 43,000 KZT | 55,000 KZT | 190,000 KZT |
Dining Table
| 19,000 KZT | 26,000 KZT | 48,000 KZT |
Sofa or Couch
| 26,000 KZT | 35,000 KZT | 77,000 KZT |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 26,000 KZT | 38,000 KZT | 77,000 KZT |
Fridge or Freezer
| 23,000 KZT | 35,000 KZT | 48,000 KZT |
Washing Machine
| 29,000 KZT | 43,000 KZT | 77,000 KZT |
Stove or Cooker
| 27,000 KZT | 35,000 KZT | 48,000 KZT |
Mobile Phone
| 32,000 KZT | 38,000 KZT | 55,000 KZT |
Laptop or Computer
| 35,000 KZT | 43,000 KZT | 77,000 KZT |
How do students spend their money in Almaty?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost18%
18% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)
| LOW | $17 7,600 KZT |
| AVERAGE | $110 50,000 KZT |
| HIGH | $750 340,000 KZT |
| Per Month |
Students in Almaty typically spend from 13% to 24% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 18% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 50,000 KZT with expenditure ranging from 7,600 KZT to 340,000 KZT. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $2.8 1,300 KZT |
| AVERAGE | $19 8,400 KZT |
| HIGH | $120 56,000 KZT |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Almaty ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 8,400 KZT with 1,300 KZT and 56,000 KZT being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $5 2,200 KZT |
| AVERAGE | $33 15,000 KZT |
| HIGH | $220 98,000 KZT |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 2,200 KZT to 98,000 KZT in a month on commuting with 15,000 KZT being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $14 6,400 KZT |
| AVERAGE | $94 42,000 KZT |
| HIGH | $620 280,000 KZT |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Almaty is 42,000 KZT. The cost of groceries can range between 6,400 KZT to 280,000 KZT. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $4.3 1,900 KZT |
| AVERAGE | $28 13,000 KZT |
| HIGH | $190 84,000 KZT |
| Per Month |
Students in Almaty allocate 6% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 1,900 KZT to 84,000 KZT with 13,000 KZT being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)
| LOW | $3.5 1,600 KZT |
| AVERAGE | $23 10,000 KZT |
| HIGH | $160 70,000 KZT |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 1,600 KZT to 70,000 KZT with 10,000 KZT being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $13 6,000 KZT |
| AVERAGE | $89 40,000 KZT |
| HIGH | $590 270,000 KZT |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 40,000 KZT per month with 6,000 KZT being the minimum spent amount and 270,000 KZT being the maximum.
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $11 4,800 KZT |
| AVERAGE | $70 31,000 KZT |
| HIGH | $470 210,000 KZT |
| Per Month |
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
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Almaty
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Almaty?
Around 63% of surveyed students think that living in Almaty is affordable with proper budgeting while 37% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Almaty
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 students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options63%
Few low-cost options37%
Based on the survey, 63% of the students living in Almaty have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 37% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
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 students of Almaty whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes63%
No37%
Based on the survey, 37% of the students living in Almaty said that they don't have an emergency fund while 63% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Kazakhstan
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 Leteracy53%
We asked student guardians and parents in Almaty whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 47% 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 53% 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 students of Kazakhstan have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 37% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 63% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance37%
Easily manages finances63%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Almaty
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Almaty
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 35,000 KZT | 53,000 KZT | 140,000 KZT |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 53,000 KZT | 84,000 KZT | 210,000 KZT |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 70,000 KZT | 110,000 KZT | 280,000 KZT |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 84,000 KZT | 140,000 KZT | 380,000 KZT |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 170,000 KZT | 420,000 KZT | 840,000 KZT |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 140,000 KZT | 210,000 KZT | 600,000 KZT |
House monthly rent cost
| 170,000 KZT | 420,000 KZT | 840,000 KZT |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 210,000 KZT | 530,000 KZT | 840,000 KZT |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Almaty ranges between 35,000 KZT and 140,000 KZT, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 53,000 KZT to 210,000 KZT. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 70,000 KZT and 280,000 KZT per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 84,000 KZT to 380,000 KZT. The average rent of a townhouse in Almaty is around 210,000 KZT while house rental costs can be as high as 420,000 KZT per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 210,000 KZT to 840,000 KZT per month.
Apartment and house prices in Almaty
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
3-bedroom apartment price
| $100,000 | $160,000 | $470,000 |
Townhouse price
| 60M KZT | 140M KZT | 530M KZT |
House price
| 70M KZT | 420M KZT | 600M KZT |
Villa price
| 84M KZT | 470M KZT | 700M KZT |
The average price of a studio apartment in Almaty can range from 7M KZT to 21M KZT depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 8.4M KZT to 53M KZT. A villa can cost you 470M KZT on average with prices ranging from 84M KZT to 700M KZT.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Almaty will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 41 | x118 monthly income | 222 |
Property prices in Almaty can be x118 to x222 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x118 multiples of the average monthly salary in Almaty.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Almaty is around 34%. This means that people pay 34% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 23% to 45% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
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.
Housing Affordability Index
31% 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.
| 640 KZT | 8,300 KZT | 83,000 KZT |
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 Almaty
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Almaty
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 1,300 KZT | 8,400 KZT | 56,000 KZT |
Internet and cable cost
| 1,900 KZT | 3,800 KZT | 5,100 KZT |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 1,500 KZT | 2,600 KZT | 7,700 KZT |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 8,400 KZT. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 1,900 KZT to 5,100 KZT with 3,800 KZT being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 2,600 KZT but can range between 1,500 KZT and 7,700 KZT depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Almaty is around 6.5%. This means that people pay 6.5% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.3% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Almaty
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Almaty
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 380 KZT | 770 KZT | 1,300 KZT |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Almaty is approximatly 770 KZT with meal cost ranging from 380 KZT to 1,300 KZT. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 1,300 KZT | 2,000 KZT | 4,000 KZT |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 1,300 KZT and 4,000 KZT with 2,000 KZT being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Almaty.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 2,700 KZT | 4,000 KZT | 16,000 KZT |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 2,700 KZT to 16,000 KZT with the average cost being 4,000 KZT for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Almaty.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Almaty is around 510 KZT. Price ranges between 320 KZT and 770 KZT depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Almaty is 310 KZT. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 380 KZT and the minimum being 260 KZT depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 260 KZT on average with 190 KZT and 380 KZT being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Almaty is between 430 KZT and 800 KZT depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 560 KZT.
Pack of beef price
| 510 KZT | 770 KZT | 1,500 KZT |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 770 KZT. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Almaty costs around 280 KZT on average with prices rangeing between 210 KZT and 400 KZT depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 77 KZT to 190 KZT. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 180 KZT on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Almaty is around 28%. This means that students spend 28% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 20% to 35% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 6,400 KZT to 280,000 KZT with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
