Cost of Living in Moscow

The average salary in Moscow by 50% of the population is at least 114,000 rubels per month (GBP£1,120). Rentals are 50-65% lower than in London (and even then I am sure the actual rental prices in London is far higher). This means the Russians have higher living standards than the average Londoners... Pretty depressing.

However, problems can be if a) you need expensive drugs prices on which are not state-controlled (although state caps prices on lifesaving drugs, some can still cost a lot) b) somebody else is living off your pension (in Moscow there is a big-big rarity, but in depressive villages/towns it is not as rare) c) outside Moscow minimal pension is less than that sum(average is ~15k, minimal is at the "pensioner's living minimum", which is something like 9-10k). d) (practically) all housing in moscow has utilities, as practically all housing without them was demolished,but it's not the case in smaller&poorer cities, so some retirees indeed don't have utilities(although state caps utility expenses as 22% from the income).

I have a question. If it's cheap and elders get pension which I know isn't much why they starving n no utilities?

The site's averaged numbers are true. I am from Moscow and get 70.000 rub net. Being single, I pay 30.000 rub per month for a low-class one room apartment outside of city center. In fact, the closeness to the metro here is what is important, so you could live quite far from the center but still feel comfortable if the apartment is close to the metro. The remaining money (40.000) is comparatively enough for life, but you would want 50-60.000 rub per month excluding rent to lead a comfortable life.

Everything above 100.000 per month is very good, if you live alone. If you are recruited here from abroad, there's a high possibility you'll get more.

Public transportation is very cheap, compared to practically all Western world, yet high class. I personally prefer Moscow underground to New York's, Paris's etc. Telephone+internet is cheap and typically includes lots of free GBs for 10$/month. Flats are warm during winter, and bills are also VERY cheap compared to e.g. the EU - water, gas - after living for some time in Germany and in Denmark, I began appreciating both the warm flats and the low bills in Russia :-) Also, life is quite safe here, and all the stories about tanks/bears on the streets are what they are - just stories.

I want to know my husband visit today Russia in Moscow for language course in Russia , is it helpful to get job over there and is it possible to give interview online and get work visa for me.

Hi..
I will come for a job next month to moscow.
my salary will be 45,000/- rub per month.

hope to dedicate 6000/- rub for expenses. is it okay..??
how much will be a cheapest accomadation there..??

Thank you.

Although most data seams reasonable, there are some notes I'd like to add.

Generally quality of life is quite high in Moscow, and one of the highest across Russia, of course.
Main drawbacks are distances and traffic, dirt all around for 6-7 months a year (Oct-Apr) and poor food quality.

Public kindergartens and schools are free in Russia, however, there is no guarantee for availability, especially for kindergartens.
I doubt (although don't know for sure) medical care is free for non-citizens, so private insurance would be some 70k RUB/year. Anyway it is must-have, as public healthcare wastes your time way too often.

Public transport system is well-developed and continues to grow. Ticket cost is extremely low, taxi rides are moderately-priced.
Driving a car in Moscow for an unprepared non-resident is quite a trial: intensive and dense traffic, aggressive driving, cameras everywhere. Be prepared if you try, and start from car-sharing, which is also quite developed.

As for safety, most of districts are safe. There is a lot of video surveillance around, and I guess one need to put special efforts in order to get hurt. However there are lots of people who will try to con a foreigner. Police is not willing too much to help you if you run in trouble, so don't be too trustful.

The city has loooooots of places to visit, and if you are interested in Russian culture you'll keep yourself busy for a year, I guess.
City parks are being developed, although there are not too many of them (depending on district however).

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Spendings.

For a single person approximate spendings would be about 90-100k a month, half of them for 1-room apartments next to subway station in a good district, that saves much time. This is valid for economy mode. For "middle-class style living" I'd reserve 120k, again, half for apartments.
For 3-member family one would need some 130k + apartments - 55-80k.

Actual spendings will very depending on lifestyle.

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Salaries (as I see them for Dec 2019)

Average salary for an IT specialist varies from 50-80K (tech support engineer) to 150K (qualified system administrator or highly specialised engineer) and 180-200K for a middle programmer with some good background, and even higher for senior professionals. .
Others earn much less. An average salary is some 80K.

What is also important to keep in mind is that Russian personal income tax is as low as 13% for residents, non-residents owing a patent, or highly qualified personnel.

> Please advise, 100.000 Ruble is enough for single person ?
NO!

Of course, 100k net is more than enough for a single person. In fact, it's possible to save up a half of that salary (maybe, even more, depending on the lifestyle of course)

>>>...and the russian education system is also worse than the US system, based on international education scores.

Don't agree with that statement, since simple check shows that Russian scores in Mathematics, Science and Reading are higher than in the USA

http://factsmaps.com/pisa-worldwide-ranking-average-score-of-math-science-reading/

As a muscovite, I would say that cost of living in Moscow is higher too, than described on the page:)

@Anonymous you are exposing your ignorance here. Russians work more hours than US citizens on an average yearly basis. Also, Russian salaries are much lower than in US and the russian education system is also worse than the US system, based on international education scores. The life expectancy is also much lower in russia, and the healthcare is of lower quality as well. Russia is an absolute shithole, and even self-aware russians know this lol.

The standard of living is determined not only by the value of goods and services. In Russia, for example, for every second born or adopted child of a mother, the state pays the amount in rubles equivalent to 7,000 US dollars. Also, after the birth of a child, each child of a mother is entitled to a year and a half of paid leave. Any employer must do this and it does not matter if it is private or public.

VLADIMIR NIMCHENKO, Your efforts are good but you cannot convince me formerly living in Moscow almost 12 years that Russians are welcoming.In general the majority of Russians are unwilling to give respect to foreigners from any country regardless. I'm nice to everyone my nature but it didn't do me any good. I tried to socialize many times often for many years but I was treated like an outsider alot. I don't need to answer your questions to figure out I wasn't welcome.Theres a reason why 136,971 Germans left Russia Americans Italians Greeks Central and South American people left including Dutch Swedes British Australians the list is long.Although I have no hatred for Russians or anyone for that matter I gave up and left because I couldn't find a friend or friends.Your survey is your business but you're wasting your time.

"Second, schools and especially public medicare are very low quality"

Medicare - partly agreed, schools - no.

The provided data look quite accurate.

Some observations:

A studio rent in a decent neighborhood would cost approximately 35 000 - 40 000 rubles/month
One bedroom - starting from 40 000 - 45 000 out of the city center and 55 000 - 60 000 inside of brown metro line.

Utilities are cheap enough - not more than 4 000 per 45 m2.

Internet and phone bills are unbelievably cheap and the quality is excellent.

Regarding the salaries - well, it's hard to get less than 60 000 net if you work hard. Plenty of job opportunities.

Having 100 000 - 150 000 per person requires extra abilities and expertise.

200 000 per person is considered as a high salary and one can afford an upscale lifestyle.

According to the Moscow Times from 2019 Feb, 9th while coming from the official federal statistics service figures:

- average brutto income in Moscow - 2017: 69.000 RUB
- average brutto income in Moscow - 2018: 81.000 RUB (~ 1.125 EUR, 72 RUB/EUR)

- average brutto income in Russia - 2017: 39.490 RUB
- average brutto income in Russia - 2018: 43.400 RUB (~ 603 EUR, 72 RUB/EUR)

As you know, the average income means that more than 1/2 get less in real ...
What's more, there is a huge number of people which get from 10.000 to 20.000 RUB including a lot of teachers and med sisters and also doctors.
Moscow is a completely different world as a rest of the country.

The fakers trolling here about figures even higher than 100.000 RUB average should be ashamed (!)
On the other hand ... the most known TV propagandists ("troll-journalists") on federal TV channels get from 300k to more than 3M USD yearly. Yes, their average is "slightly" higher than 100.000 RUB. :-) Russia today ...

#To Stranger You must be another one of those Russian operative wannabee"s but you never lived in the U S because the wording of your grammar is nill to say the least.I've visited Russia numerous times over the years.Russians didn't need any help demonizing themselves they're like that naturally.

And the same goes for Russian women also with Russian men who cannot afford to buy a woman a cup of coffee let alone give security.Well maybe for 20 minutes or less, obviously a matched set.

Do not listen to "educated" guys with average net salary 150 000 Rub +. Your salary depends on your personal connections and your family connections, the same job could be paid twice less in the same company, I worked with the guy who did not know English at all (job required fluent English), he had no technical certification and good university eductaion (working in technical support!), his average month net salary was close to 80 000 Rub, my salary was slighly more than 40 000 Rub (in Moscow).

Now my average net month salary is 68000 Rub, but my company has a lot of problems and I am afraid to loose work soon, I am searching for another job more than 6 month now and can't find any with at least 65000Rub net per month. I have master degree in Physics, fluent Englisg, Cisco CCNA, know Python programming language (not guru, but I wrote not trivial applications about 1000 lines long for my employer). If anybody in Moscow can give me normal paid job or somebody abroad can give me remote job, please write to me kozirev8@gmail.com , I'll provide you with link to my CV.

To Russian citizen, I agree the elite is responsible in Moscow for the majority of Russian citizens not having anything of quality.I know because my family and I have lived in, Kasimov all of our lives.My two sons were arrested by the KGB last July for cutting wood to keep us warm in winter and to cook with.My wife and I were beaten by the KGB last July fishing in the river to store food when our sons were arrested by the KGB.Nobody has electric in Kasimov and we haven't in almost 10 years now.We have an old crank generator to charge batteries my father had when he was living.Putin promised gas to keep our homes warm but nothing was ever done about it and the people of Kasimov are too afraid to mention it again.We haven't seen or heard from our sons since last July, no letters nothing.Yes American-Israeli occupiers are present but we in Kasimov don't blame them.We blame the Russian government and Putin directly for forgetting on purpose Russian citizens welfare.Putin has a personal net worth of over 175 billion USD.Its no secret as to how he got that.Robbing natural resources of Russia selling that to any country that'll buy it.We are forgotten in Kasimov but the rest of Russians are forgotten too.I'm just as angry as you are comrad but there's nothing anyone can do about it.

This is beginning to look very appealing. As a cultural capital, Moscow has incomparably more to offer than any city in Canada, and the cost of living is almost 50% of what it is in Toronto. Seriously considering it for my retirement home!

Note that in Russia prices for children education are very different for local residents (with huge social benefits) and non-resident expats. That's why your listed childcare prices are x10 off real.

You should be retarded too according to your comment. Maybe you're brain wash person from Ukraine? Then it makes sense why you're such an idiot.

Russia has been financially broke for over 40 years now, that's a no brainier.Too bad all of Russia wasn't affected by the Chernobyl incident.The majority are retarded anyway.

Why would anyone want to live in a 3rd world country like Russia? The Kremlin is extremely corrupt and the majority of citizens are too.Currently the Ruble is on a downward spiral being 66 Ruble to 1 USD.While the Euro is falling apart throughout Europe Russia is looking for new venues to manipulate which will most likely be to invade Europe.No government is honest obviously.Many people see the downward spiral of the Ruble as an opportunity to surge ahead financially especially if it's USD they're using.It'll never last though because the Russian government will find a way to manipulate that.

user_name, it will be not a king live, but it should be ok.
Anyway, you can write me and ask more questions.
My skype: serebrov_ab

The prices shown here are quite real. Its a pity this resouce cannot show price for taxi and airport-center transportation, these prices are quite important for tourists. Anyway, it is a great help for foreigners.

What a pathetic troll :D
It's 68K RUB in Moscow according to RU sources, that equals to 1K USD: https://visasam.ru/russia/rabotavrf/srednyaya-zarplata-v-moskve.html

How much can I earn working at a troll factory with good knowledge of English and French?

What is the cost various dry fruits llen walnut and cashews.

Well... I live in Khimki, its cross the road from Moscow, and here cost of living isnt too high, aa I spend around 8000 rubels per month for my flat of 40 sq.m. and for food, which is a lot cheaper, than stated. For example, loaf of white bread (well, I dont know how fresh it is, but its still palatable) is only 15 rubels, milk is around 40-50 rub, rice is around 50, eggs are around 60 per dozen, fine oranges could be found for 60 rub and 1,5 l of water (carbonated or not) is less than 20 r. Basic vegetables - onion, potato, carrot and cabbage - usually are around 0,5$ and for sure less than 1$ per kilo. Just dont be shy and go to large network market stores like Pyatiorochka, Ashan, Perekriostok or Magnit. Even if you would not like those stores and their goods, you will find what average Russians used to eat.
As of average salary, it is not 72 and even 60 thousand. but around 30-40 thousands. And I havent got more than 35 a month in all my life. But of course, those you can meet at restaurants or cafes are upper class and are paid better.

Average salary in Moscow in 2017 is RUB 72k, this however vary a lot from the particular role, most educated people working in finance/IT earn around RUB 150k-200k net per month (these are my company salaries we had in 2016 for mid range managers). Rent expense vary a lot, you can easily get studio in decent condition for $30k a month near metro but in the suburbs, I had 2 bed appt in Sokol district (nice one) for RUB 55k. Food is generally good and cheap (cheaper than in my home in Canada, BC ), just look for local one and traditional one, seasonal fruits/vegs are amazing. Best shops to purchase quality food are Vkuswille, local markets (Danilovsky, Leningrdasky) and big super markets like Karusel and etc. There are few expensive grocerys like Azbuka Vkusa and Globus Grume, but I think it is not worth of spending big buck there for same you can get in other places. All related to kids sports and education is super cheap and cannot even be compared to US/Canada . Private hospitals are western standard and relatively cheap, including dentistry, make sure your employer provide good insurance than it will be almost zero coin to spend. Transport is also cheap and extremely reliable (buy card Troyka which can be used for various transportation types), yet very packed during the rush hour. Clothing and kids toys are twice more expensive than in US/Europe, I would recommend to buy things while travelling. Fuel same as US price, taxi is super cheap and good, just use UBER/Yandex taxi apps and never ever catch a car on the street. Mobile/internet just cost nothing, you can get 10 GB plan with unlimited calls for 10 bucks or less, quality is amazing.

Basic for 85m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) + overhaul (mandatory payment, in 2017 equals 1445 rub) = 11000-15000 rub

I have only been to Russia once. The first place I went right after the long trip out there, (which, about 14 hours btw, from September to February, it's cheaper to fly... like a third of the cost we're talking 500.00 round trip compared to Peek time which is around 1400 to 1800 round trip. ) my wife and I went to Saint Petersburg. OMG, amazing! Worth the 9 hour train ride. We went on a romantic boat ride to see all the architectural buildings all lit up, and all the bridges lit up. Putin's version of the white house, but much more extravagant!!! I believe we paid around 500 roubles each. If you speak fluent Russian, you'll get your tickets cheaper. If you can't speak Russian, everything is more expensive!! They sometimes triple the cost, because US money is worth quite a bit more. 100.00 is about 6000 roubles. But a pack of Marlboro cigarettes, that are from Russia, which has way less chemicals than the Marlboro's the US have, are only $.98 that's right, less than a dollar. They have pretty gruesome photos on their packs of cigarettes that will remind you every cig you have, that you should quit!! Any way, the old castles, mansions, museums, which ever, are wonderful to see how the rich lived Many years ago. WOW!!! MOSCOW was an amazing city. The subway architect, the wonderful museums, the restaurants are all pretty amazing. Their food, at home and in the restaurants, taste so much better because everything is much more fresh. When you live there, you are going grocery shopping every day or every other day because there are not preservatives in all the food so it had to be eaten within a couple of days. Ut just depends on the season. If you buy from mom and pop store, most don't use preservatives... back in the 80's, there were no preservatives. Milk you can still buy from the farmers in the area...3 litres of cow milk 130 roubles, goat milk is about 130 for one litre. You bring it home, boil it, then put it back in the old glass milk jugs that back in the day were delivered by the milk man, (but then to many married wives were getting more than milk from the milk men when their husbands were gone...lol... that was told to us by a Russian native on a tour bus... trying to make a joke, because Russians are usually very quiet and have a stern way of talking... that makes you think as US citizens and other countries think this as well, That when Russians talk,they sound so pissed off, but they are not!! It's just how they sound, however, most Russians are straight to the point, don't sugar coat anything and don't beat around the bush!! If you break down on the side of the road in Ivanteevka,just outside of Moscow about 30 minutes North East,everybody and their grandmother, including the police, Will stop to help you get back on the road or help push you of the road until you can get a tow truck... will drive to a gas station for you and bring you back gas, water, oil, what ever you need for the quick fix, even if you have no money. If it's not too far, under a mile or two, they'll(usually like five people) push your car all the way to the gas station. I would have to say that 80% off the people walk at least for twenty minutes a day. A lot ride bikes in the summer time. Public transportation widely used Moscow... the train is used a lot. You don't see puck up trucks. Box trucks are used for businesses. My wife rents out an apartment in Moscow for 800usd a month. Moscow is pretty expensive compared to income, but the outskirts, the same apartment would be 450 USD. Anyway, I love the people in Russia. I guess there are racist in every country, but from my experience, far and in between. Got along with most even in the late hour bars. Closing the bar there, is 5 or 6 am..... just in time to go to work!!! Hope this was helpful a little, but I definitely want to visit again!!

Moscow of 1970 year and Moscwo of 2017 year - great degradation in all fields:
1. policemen are mainly in the subway, at the streets these are absent and usually they come when crime is ready,
so you must have defense before;
2. food in city markets is of low quality - You must visit many shops to buy eatable food, and of hogh prices is sometime falcificated, for example cheese - 80% falcificated - official TV an Rospotrebnadzor data, yes such paradox; many food with expired quality is in sale, be carefool; some food categories are dangerous becaue of addinf different chemical substances instead of materials, especially: sausages, sweets, juices, wines, bakery, be carefool;
3. medical service is completely corruptioned - they want to know you money sum in Your pocket and use it for not necessary "analyses", investigation and medical drugstore comissional premium; as the result of such medical level degredation those who must care for national healthcare use for themselves European clinics instead of Moscow - for example he delivered Alina Kabayeva in the Germany for child birth, because in all Russia was not any normal clinic for them.
Very very sad to obzerve degradation of life level here
4.

Please find me a flat for 3000$ in the center. Buying tomorrow.

"After the crisis the real cost of things like renting an apartment is:

cost per 1 month
1 bedroom $250 / $600 (in center)
3 bedroom $500 / $900 (in center)

price per square meter is: $1500 / $3000 (in center) "

country for survive, rent 60-70% of median salary in any region

Right now, people spend about half of their salary on food. Rent 20000-50000 rubles per month average salary 42000 rubles per month. Cost of living: 40-50k rubles per month