Cost Of Living For a Student in Moscow 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: RUB
Average monthly spending for students in Moscow
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Moscow?
Students in Moscow spend around 86,000 RUB per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 13,000 RUB or as high as 950,000 RUB. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
How do students spend their money in Moscow?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost19%
19% of total expenses on average (14% to 25%)
| LOW | $35 3,100 RUB |
| AVERAGE | $230 21,000 RUB |
| HIGH | $2,500 230,000 RUB |
| Per Month |
Students in Moscow typically spend from 14% to 25% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 19% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 21,000 RUB with expenditure ranging from 3,100 RUB to 230,000 RUB. 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 utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $4.7 430 RUB |
| AVERAGE | $31 2,800 RUB |
| HIGH | $340 31,000 RUB |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Moscow ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 2,800 RUB with 430 RUB and 31,000 RUB being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $9.3 840 RUB |
| AVERAGE | $61 5,600 RUB |
| HIGH | $680 62,000 RUB |
| 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 840 RUB to 62,000 RUB in a month on commuting with 5,600 RUB being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 5% or as high as 11%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost22%
22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)
| LOW | $25 2,300 RUB |
| AVERAGE | $170 15,000 RUB |
| HIGH | $1,900 170,000 RUB |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Moscow is 15,000 RUB. The cost of groceries can range between 2,300 RUB to 170,000 RUB. Students spend on average about 22% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 16% and 26% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $6.2 560 RUB |
| AVERAGE | $41 3,700 RUB |
| HIGH | $450 41,000 RUB |
| Per Month |
Students in Moscow allocate 5% to 11% 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 8%. The range of medical expenses range from 560 RUB to 41,000 RUB with 3,700 RUB being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
| LOW | $6.4 580 RUB |
| AVERAGE | $42 3,800 RUB |
| HIGH | $470 42,000 RUB |
| 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 580 RUB to 42,000 RUB with 3,800 RUB being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $24 2,200 RUB |
| AVERAGE | $160 14,000 RUB |
| HIGH | $1,800 160,000 RUB |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 19% of the monthly expenditure of students with 12% and 24% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 14,000 RUB per month with 2,200 RUB being the minimum spent amount and 160,000 RUB being the maximum.
Other Expenses18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $21 1,900 RUB |
| AVERAGE | $140 12,000 RUB |
| HIGH | $1,500 140,000 RUB |
| Per Month |
Affordable living in Moscow
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Moscow?
Around 61% of surveyed students think that living in Moscow is affordable with proper budgeting while 39% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Moscow
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
| 490 RUB | 740 RUB | 1,500 RUB |
Fine dining meal for one
| 910 RUB | 1,400 RUB | 5,500 RUB |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 690 RUB | 920 RUB | 1,800 RUB |
Average car 1-day rental
| 610 RUB | 810 RUB | 1,200 RUB |
Average car price
| 320,000 RUB | 640,000 RUB | 850,000 RUB |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 880 RUB | 1,300 RUB | 2,600 RUB |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 430 RUB | 2,800 RUB | 31,000 RUB |
Internet and cable
| 740 RUB | 1,500 RUB | 2,000 RUB |
Mobile phone charges
| 420 RUB | 690 RUB | 2,100 RUB |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
| 1,100 RUB | 1,400 RUB | 2,900 RUB |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 880 RUB | 1,200 RUB | 1,900 RUB |
Woman dress
| 860 RUB | 1,200 RUB | 3,900 RUB |
Woman shoes
| 720 RUB | 980 RUB | 2,300 RUB |
Men's shoes
| 650 RUB | 790 RUB | 1,600 RUB |
Men suit
| 750 RUB | 930 RUB | 5,000 RUB |
Regular t-shirt
| 390 RUB | 520 RUB | 1,600 RUB |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 15,000 RUB | 22,000 RUB | 59,000 RUB |
1-bedroom apartment
| 23,000 RUB | 37,000 RUB | 92,000 RUB |
2-bedroom apartment
| 32,000 RUB | 48,000 RUB | 130,000 RUB |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 3.2M RUB | 4.8M RUB | 9.6M RUB |
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
| $65,000 | $190,000 | $390,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 14,000 RUB | 17,000 RUB | 23,000 RUB |
Double Bed
| 9,400 RUB | 14,000 RUB | 18,000 RUB |
Single Bed
| 8,600 RUB | 11,000 RUB | 15,000 RUB |
Living Room
| 17,000 RUB | 22,000 RUB | 76,000 RUB |
Dining Table
| 6,800 RUB | 9,000 RUB | 17,000 RUB |
Sofa or Couch
| 9,400 RUB | 13,000 RUB | 28,000 RUB |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 9,500 RUB | 14,000 RUB | 28,000 RUB |
Fridge or Freezer
| 8,700 RUB | 13,000 RUB | 18,000 RUB |
Washing Machine
| 10,000 RUB | 15,000 RUB | 26,000 RUB |
Stove or Cooker
| 9,700 RUB | 12,000 RUB | 17,000 RUB |
Mobile Phone
| 12,000 RUB | 14,000 RUB | 20,000 RUB |
Laptop or Computer
| 13,000 RUB | 16,000 RUB | 30,000 RUB |
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.
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 students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options58%
Few low-cost options42%
Based on the survey, 58% of the students living in Moscow have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 42% 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 whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes59%
No41%
Based on the survey, 41% of the students living in Moscow said that they don't have an emergency fund while 59% said that they do.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Moscow
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Moscow
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 430 RUB | 2,800 RUB | 31,000 RUB |
Internet and cable cost
| 740 RUB | 1,500 RUB | 2,000 RUB |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 420 RUB | 690 RUB | 2,100 RUB |
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 2,800 RUB. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 740 RUB to 2,000 RUB with 1,500 RUB being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 690 RUB but can range between 420 RUB and 2,100 RUB 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 Moscow is around 6.6%. This means that people pay 6.6% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.7% to 12% depending on salary and location.
Financial Literacy in
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 student guardians and parents in Moscow 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 students of 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%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Moscow
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Moscow
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 15,000 RUB | 22,000 RUB | 59,000 RUB |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 23,000 RUB | 37,000 RUB | 92,000 RUB |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 32,000 RUB | 48,000 RUB | 130,000 RUB |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 40,000 RUB | 66,000 RUB | 180,000 RUB |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 73,000 RUB | 180,000 RUB | 370,000 RUB |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 59,000 RUB | 89,000 RUB | 250,000 RUB |
House monthly rent cost
| 74,000 RUB | 180,000 RUB | 370,000 RUB |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 88,000 RUB | 220,000 RUB | 350,000 RUB |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Moscow ranges between 15,000 RUB and 59,000 RUB, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 23,000 RUB to 92,000 RUB. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 32,000 RUB and 130,000 RUB per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 40,000 RUB to 180,000 RUB. The average rent of a townhouse in Moscow is around 89,000 RUB while house rental costs can be as high as 180,000 RUB per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 88,000 RUB to 350,000 RUB per month.
Apartment and house prices in Moscow
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 3.2M RUB | 4.8M RUB | 9.6M RUB |
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
| $65,000 | $190,000 | $390,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
Townhouse price
House price
| 33M RUB | 200M RUB | 290M RUB |
Villa price
| 40M RUB | 220M RUB | 330M RUB |
The average price of a studio apartment in Moscow can range from 3.2M RUB to 9.6M RUB depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 4M RUB to 25M RUB. A villa can cost you 220M RUB on average with prices ranging from 40M RUB to 330M RUB.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Moscow 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
| 66 | x194 monthly income | 354 |
Property prices in Moscow can be x194 to x354 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x194 multiples of the average monthly salary in Moscow.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Moscow is around 43%. This means that people pay 43% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 29% to 57% 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
29% 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.
| 260 RUB | 2,600 RUB | 40,000 RUB |
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.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Moscow
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
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
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 270 RUB with meal cost ranging from 140 RUB to 460 RUB. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 490 RUB | 740 RUB | 1,500 RUB |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 490 RUB and 1,500 RUB with 740 RUB being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Moscow.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 910 RUB | 1,400 RUB | 5,500 RUB |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 910 RUB to 5,500 RUB with the average cost being 1,400 RUB for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Moscow.
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 Moscow is around 190 RUB. Price ranges between 120 RUB and 290 RUB 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 Moscow is 120 RUB. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 150 RUB and the minimum being 98 RUB depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 91 RUB on average with 68 RUB and 140 RUB being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Moscow is between 170 RUB and 310 RUB depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 220 RUB.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 320 RUB. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Moscow costs around 98 RUB on average with prices rangeing between 71 RUB and 140 RUB depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 28 RUB to 69 RUB. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 66 RUB on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 2,300 RUB to 170,000 RUB with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
Published: February 1, 2024 Last Update: May 3, 2025
