Cost Of Living in Volgograd 2024

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

Whether you're living in Volgograd 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 Volgograd is 71,000 RUB. Expenses can range from 10,000 RUB at the minimum level to 480,000 RUB at the highest end.

Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Volgograd is 120,000 RUB. Expenditure can range from 40,000 RUB to 630,000 RUB per month.

Families

The average cost of living for families in Volgograd is 160,000 RUB per month. Families spend anywhere from 56,000 RUB to 1M RUB.

Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Volgograd is 52,000 RUB. Students spend from 7,900 RUB to 350,000 RUB per month.

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Volgograd

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 Volgograd is 86% This means that on average, people spend around 86% 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
78%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

70%

86%

Couple
82%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

74%

91%

Family
90%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

82%

100%

How do people spend their money in Volgograd?

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

People living in Volgograd typically spend from 14% to 33% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 25% being the average. The average spend on housing is 31,000 RUB with expenditure ranging from 2,400 RUB to 310,000 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 Volgograd ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 5,200 RUB with 400 RUB and 52,000 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 790 RUB to 100,000 RUB on commuting with 10,000 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 Volgograd is 26,000 RUB. The cost of groceries can range between 2,000 RUB to 260,000 RUB. People spend on average about 27% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 19% and 33% respectively.

People in Volgograd 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 560 RUB to 72,000 RUB with 7,200 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 320 RUB to 41,000 RUB with 4,100 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 6,200 RUB per month with 480 RUB being the minimum spent amount and 62,000 RUB being the maximum.

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

Almost 62% of the surveyed people in Volgograd said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 39% said that aren't saving anything.

Percentage of people saving money by population group in Volgograd

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

For most people, 12% to 33% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 21% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 36,000 RUB on average with savings ranging from 2,700 RUB to 360,000 RUB.

66% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 61% of couples said the same. 56% of families confirmed their ability to save money.

How much money do people actually save in Volgograd?

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 15% to 35% of their monthly income to savings, with 25% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 25,000 RUB with 2,700 RUB and 160,000 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 13% to 34% of their monthly income, with 23% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 41,000 RUB with 14,000 RUB and 220,000 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 Volgograd can save anywhere between 11% to 30% of their monthly income, with 20% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 55,000 RUB with 19,000 RUB and 360,000 RUB being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Saving Challenges in Volgograd

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Volgograd. 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 Volgograd

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 Volgograd

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Volgograd?

Around 63% of surveyed residents think that living in Volgograd is affordable with proper budgeting while 38% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Volgograd

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 options60%

Few low-cost options41%

Based on the survey, 60% of the people living in Volgograd have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 41% 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 Volgograd whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes61%

No40%

Based on the survey, 40% of the people living in Volgograd said that they don't have an emergency fund while 61% 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 Volgograd

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Volgograd, 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 Volgograd

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

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Volgograd

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Volgograd

Percentage of people who are in debt

According to the survey, 29% of the people in Volgograd have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 71% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.

Debt-to-income ratio in Volgograd

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 30% of the people's monthly income in Volgograd goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Volgograd pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 15% 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 Volgograd

11% of debtors in Volgograd 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 40%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Volgograd.

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 Volgograd

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

Rent Cost in Volgograd

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

8,900 RUB

13,000 RUB

36,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$98

$150

$390

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

13,000 RUB

21,000 RUB

53,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$150

$230

$590

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

18,000 RUB

27,000 RUB

71,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$200

$290

$780

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

21,000 RUB

36,000 RUB

97,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$230

$390

$1,100

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

43,000 RUB

110,000 RUB

210,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$470

$1,200

$2,300

Townhouse monthly rent cost

36,000 RUB

53,000 RUB

150,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$390

$590

$1,700

House monthly rent cost

43,000 RUB

110,000 RUB

210,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$470

$1,200

$2,300

Villa monthly rent cost

53,000 RUB

130,000 RUB

210,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$590

$1,500

$2,300

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Volgograd ranges between 8,900 RUB and 36,000 RUB, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 13,000 RUB to 53,000 RUB. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 18,000 RUB and 71,000 RUB per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 21,000 RUB to 97,000 RUB. The average rent of a townhouse in Volgograd is around 53,000 RUB while house rental costs can be as high as 110,000 RUB per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 53,000 RUB to 210,000 RUB per month.

Apartment and house prices in Volgograd

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

1.8M RUB

2.7M RUB

5.3M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$20,000

$29,000

$59,000

1-bedroom apartment price

2.1M RUB

3.6M RUB

13M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$23,000

$39,000

$150,000

2-bedroom apartment price

3.6M RUB

11M RUB

21M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$39,000

$120,000

$230,000

3-bedroom apartment price

12M RUB

18M RUB

53M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$130,000

$200,000

$590,000

Townhouse price

15M RUB

36M RUB

130M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$170,000

$390,000

$1.5M

House price

18M RUB

110M RUB

150M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$200,000

$1.2M

$1.7M

Villa price

21M RUB

120M RUB

180M RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$230,000

$1.3M

$2M

The average price of a studio apartment in Volgograd can range from 1.8M RUB to 5.3M RUB depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 2.1M RUB to 13M RUB. A villa can cost you 120M RUB on average with prices ranging from 21M RUB to 180M RUB.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

Property prices in Volgograd can be x117 to x213 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x117 multiples of the average monthly salary in Volgograd.

Rent to income ratio

The average rent-to-income ratio in Volgograd is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 22% to 42% 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 Volgograd

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

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

600 RUB

4,300 RUB

29,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$6.7

$47

$310

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

1,600 RUB

5,400 RUB

35,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$17

$59

$380

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

2,800 RUB

7,900 RUB

52,000 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$31

$87

$570

Internet and cable cost

540 RUB

1,100 RUB

1,500 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$6

$12

$16

Mobile phone bill and charges

440 RUB

730 RUB

2,200 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$4.8

$8

$24

The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Volgograd ranges between 600 RUB and 29,000 RUB with average being 4,300 RUB, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 5,400 RUB with 1,600 RUB and 35,000 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 7,900 RUB. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 540 RUB to 1,500 RUB with 1,100 RUB being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 730 RUB but can range between 440 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 Volgograd is around 5.1%. This means that people pay 5.1% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.1% to 9.2% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Volgograd

Prices and cost of goods and services in Volgograd

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 Volgograd 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

360 RUB

540 RUB

1,100 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$4

$5.9

$12

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 360 RUB and 1,100 RUB with 540 RUB being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Volgograd.

Fine dining meal for one price

720 RUB

1,100 RUB

4,300 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$7.9

$12

$47

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 720 RUB to 4,300 RUB with the average cost being 1,100 RUB for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Volgograd.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

91 RUB

150 RUB

220 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.00

$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 Volgograd is around 150 RUB. Price ranges between 91 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

73 RUB

87 RUB

110 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.80

$0.96

$1.2

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Volgograd is 87 RUB. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 110 RUB and the minimum being 73 RUB depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

54 RUB

73 RUB

110 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.60

$0.80

$1.2

A dozen eggs costs around 73 RUB on average with 54 RUB and 110 RUB being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

120 RUB

160 RUB

230 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.4

$1.8

$2.5

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Volgograd is between 120 RUB and 230 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

150 RUB

220 RUB

440 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.6

$2.4

$4.8

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

80 RUB

110 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.64

$0.88

$1.2

A bag of rice in Volgograd costs around 80 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

$0.60

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

39 RUB

51 RUB

84 RUB

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.43

$0.56

$0.92

A bag of apples costs 51 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 Volgograd is around 27%. This means that people spend 27% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 33% depending on salary and location.

Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 11,000 RUB per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 1,600 RUB and 76,000 RUB depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 17,000 RUB per month. That number can be get as low as 5,600 RUB or a high as 89,000 RUB. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 10,000 RUB to 190,000 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 Volgograd

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

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

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