Living in Kazakhstan: cost of living, rents and the salary you need

Example: the same life, elsewhere

A single person living in London in a one-bedroom home, with the average spending of a similar household, spends about £3,350 a month. To keep the same life in Almaty, they would need about ₸551,000 (≈ €1,100) net a month locally (−72%), i.e. 7.2 times the minimum wage.

For a couple with two children in a two-bedroom home (private or international school), it would take about ₸2,520,000 (≈ €5,030) net a month in Almaty, i.e. 32.9 times the minimum wage.

Calculated on 2 October 2026 with the official averages of London and the destination’s prices. Yours depends on your city, home and habits: the calculator works it out in a few minutes, no sign-up.

Rents in Kazakhstan

City	Studio	1 bedroom	2 bedrooms	3-bedroom house	1 bedroom in euros
Almaty	₸174,000	₸280,000	₸405,000	₸591,000	€560
Astana	₸170,000	₸274,000	₸395,000	₸578,000	€550
Shymkent	₸127,000	₸204,000	₸295,000	₸432,000	€410
Karaganda	₸146,000	₸235,000	₸339,000	₸496,000	€470
Atyrau	₸126,000	₸203,000	₸293,000	₸428,000	€410
Aktau	₸114,000	₸183,000	₸264,000	₸387,000	€370
Pavlodar	₸114,000	₸183,000	₸264,000	₸386,000	€370
Oskemen	₸112,000	₸180,000	₸260,000	₸380,000	€360
Kostanay	₸95,800	₸154,000	₸222,000	₸325,000	€310
Taraz	₸71,600	₸115,000	₸166,000	₸243,000	€230
Semey	₸113,000	₸181,000	₸262,000	₸383,000	€360

Monthly rent in KZT, outside the most sought-after areas. Studio 28 m², 1 bedroom 45 m², 2 bedrooms 65 m², house 95 m² where rent is known per m². Bureau of National Statistics, August 2026 housing prices: average monthly rent of a fully equipped dwelling, in tenge per m², in each city (August 2026).

Wages

The minimum wage is ₸76,500 (≈ €150) net a month (₸85,000 gross).

For a foreign employee without a residence permit: 10% income tax withheld, without pension or health contributions (they apply with a residence permit).

Average wage: ₸461,000 (≈ €920) gross a month.

Median wage: ₸332,000 (≈ €660) gross a month.

Healthcare

Take out health insurance as soon as you arrive: it is required to work and for the residence permit; public insurance (OSMS) opens with a residence permit.

In the example above: to work you need health insurance; public insurance comes with a residence permit. We count your health costs at local prices (£10 a month).

Visa and residence permit

The employer obtains your work permit; you then apply for a temporary residence permit, with health insurance. French citizens enter visa-free for 30 days. To keep a job abroad, look at the Neo Nomad visa.

Temporary residence permit for the family; the work permit is paid by the employer.

To live on income from abroad: the Neo Nomad visa for remote workers, with at least $3,000 a month of income from abroad.

Moving in and everyday life

Deposit: 1 month’ rent
Agency fees: 1 month’ rent
School: Private or international school: about ₸8,750,000 (≈ €17,500) a year
Electricity: ₸18 to ₸33 per kWh depending on the region
Getting around without a car: About 40 rides a month per adult at ₸100
Home cleaning: ₸6,000 an hour

Frequently asked questions

What salary do you need to live in Almaty?

For a single person keeping the same life as in London: about ₸551,000 (≈ €1,100) net a month, i.e. 7.2 times the minimum wage.

How much is rent in Almaty?

About ₸280,000 (≈ €560) a month for a one-bedroom home and ₸405,000 for a two-bedroom home, according to Bureau of National Statistics, August 2026 housing prices.

Do you need a residence permit to live in Kazakhstan?

The employer obtains your work permit; you then apply for a temporary residence permit, with health insurance. French citizens enter visa-free for 30 days. To keep a job abroad, look at the Neo Nomad visa. Temporary residence permit for the family; the work permit is paid by the employer.