Russia🇷🇺
At a Glance
How Russia compares across key indices
Cost of Living
36 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
62/100
Healthcare
62/100
Quality of Life
118/200
Climate
40/100
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Russia
Cost of Living
36
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
11
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
35
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
34
100 = NYC dining
City Costs Comparison
Ufa
Cheapest$1,021/mo
Chelyabinsk
$1,025/mo
Krasnoyarsk
$1,031/mo
Samara
$1,065/mo
Rostov-on-Don (Rostov-na-donu)
$1,077/mo
Krasnodar
$1,088/mo
Perm
$1,088/mo
Tomsk
$1,089/mo
Safety & Crime
Moderate RiskHow safe residents feel in Russia — based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
62/100
Crime Index
38/100
Lower is better
Crime Trend
46/100
Mixed perception
Walking Safety
28 point drop from day to night
Problem Severity
0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem
What Residents Worry About
Based on 3,851 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.
Cities in Russia
Russia has 16 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,021 in Ufa to $2,215 in Moscow. Nizhny Novgorod leads on safety, scoring 72/100. Kaliningrad ranks highest for quality of life at 153/200.
Ufa
$1,021/mo
Nizhny Novgorod
72/100
Kaliningrad
153/200
Nizhny Novgorod
74/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ufa | $1,021 | — | — | — | — |
| Chelyabinsk | $1,025 | — | — | — | 85 |
| Krasnoyarsk | $1,031 | — | — | — | 84 |
| Samara | $1,065 | — | — | — | — |
| Rostov-on-Don (Rostov-na-donu) | $1,077 | 48/100 | 115/200 | 52/100 | 72 |
| Krasnodar | $1,088 | 66/100 | 126/200 | 50/100 | 55 |
| Perm | $1,088 | — | — | — | — |
| Tomsk | $1,089 | — | — | — | — |
| Kaliningrad | $1,116 | 70/100 | 153/200 | 70/100 | 42 |
| Novosibirsk | $1,129 | 55/100 | 101/200 | 56/100 | 68 |
| Nizhny Novgorod | $1,149 | 72/100 | 149/200 | 74/100 | 34 |
| Kazan | $1,209 | 70/100 | 124/200 | 69/100 | 59 |
| Tyumen | $1,294 | — | — | — | — |
| Yekaterinburg | $1,401 | 57/100 | 102/200 | 54/100 | 69 |
| Saint Petersburg | $1,555 | 62/100 | 124/200 | 62/100 | 61 |
| Moscow | $2,215 | 65/100 | 124/200 | 68/100 | 55 |
Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for Russia
Healthcare Index
62/100
Quality Breakdown
How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality
Based on 1,810 survey responses
Insurance Coverage
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Environment
ModerateAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Russia
Pollution Index
59/100
Lower is better
Environmental Quality
Concerns
0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern
Based on 1,960 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Transport & Commute
How people get around in Russia
Average One-Way Commute
43minutes
Average
Traffic Index
173
Moderate congestion
Inefficiency
181
Time wasted in traffic
CO2 Emissions
4.1kg/trip
How People Commute
Based on 1,756 survey responses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Russia, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Russia?
Russia has a cost of living index of 36 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,021 in Ufa and reach $2,215 in Moscow.
What is the cheapest city in Russia for expats?
Ufa is the most affordable city in Russia with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $1,021 for a single person including rent. Chelyabinsk is the next most affordable at $1,025/mo.
Is Russia safe for expats?
Russia has a safety index of 62/100, making it generally safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Nizhny Novgorod scores highest on safety at 72/100.
What is the best city in Russia for expats and digital nomads?
Kaliningrad ranks highest for quality of life in Russia, scoring 153/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $1,116/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Ufa offers the lowest monthly costs at $1,021/mo.
How good is healthcare in Russia?
Russia scores 62/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it good by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.
Is Russia cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Russia's cost of living is roughly 64% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 89% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
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Your pre-departure checklist for Russia
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