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Moscow Information Guide |Rus-a| How Much Does It Cost to Live in Russia and Moscow
Is Moscow Expensive?
For many years till 2011 Moscow was in top 10 most expensive cities in the world. It seems strange if you know that average salary in Moscow is around only 1000 dollars (USD). Today Moscow is on the 50th place but still in some positions Russian Capital remains pretty costly.
Despite the low salary level most of Muscovites are able to provide for their life hood and feel themselves pretty happy. One of the main reasons why it is happening is that most of citizens have their own flats and apartments and don’t pay extra money for rent. Property rental is very expensive. For example one room studio 30-40 meters at the boarder of Moscow may coast 800-1000 dollars (USD) per month, while in the center the prices vary from 1500-3000 dollars (USD) up to 10000 dollars (USD) and even more. The closer you are to the historical part of Moscow the higher price is. In addition new fashionable and modern buildings, which appeared in Moscow several years ago, with big windows, panoramic views, private gardens, parking , security etc. are also extremely expensive. If you want to buy one room flat in Moscow the prices start from 150000-200000 dollars (USD). 2-3 rooms in the center may cost around 1 million dollars (USD).
This results from the fact that Moscow is economic heart and the most developed city in Russia – the biggest country in the world. Many Russians want to live in capital. People from other cities make career and gain money in their regions and then decide to move in Moscow where now officially live over 12000000 people. Prices and average living standards control overpopulation. In other cities you may rent for example one room flat for 100 dollars (USD) per month and buy it for 20000-30000 thousands.
The same things happen with hotel accommodation. Average price for one night in 3-4 stars hotel is around 150 dollars USD. So if you plan to stay in Moscow for a long time it is better to rent some property.
What else is expensive in Moscow?
Everything what is imported. It’s because of custom taxes and we citizens can nothing to do with this. If you buy a car in Europe, for example, and pay for it 30000 dollars (USD) in Moscow you will pay 35000 dollars (USD). If you buy computer for 500 dollars (USD) in America or Asia in Moscow it will cost you already 800 dollars (USD).
The prices also depend on location. Shops and restaurants in the center of Moscow are more expensive because of location and rental costs. For instance very expensive streets are Tverskaya Street, Kutuzovsky Avenue, Arbat Street and some others.
Anyway, not everything in Moscow is very expensive. Moscow public transport is three times cheaper than in some European capitals. Petrol is also twice cheaper. Speaking about food and markets, imported products are expensive because of custom cleaning as we have mentioned above.
Today Russian Government actively is actively pursuing a policy of import substitution which includes development and strengthening of domestic production. In capital food stores you can easily find Russian cheese, sausages, meat, fruits and vegetables and hundreds of other products which are less expensive than imported ones.
Internet and mobile communication in Russia is also very cheap. In average good internet will cost you 10 dollars per month and cell phone communication is also around 7-10 dollars.
What about taxi? It is safe and ok. Average cost will be around 10-15 dollars. Today using mobile phone applications taxi prices start from 1,5-2 dollars.
Restaurants and cafes?
Cup of coffee – 4-5 dollars, breakfast – 5-8 dollars, lunch and dinner 10-20 dollars without alcohol beverage drinks (for one person). Its middle price in fashionable and lux restaurant you will pay for your meal 2-3 times more. Tips 10-15%.
And of course restaurants in Moscow depends on location brand and the popularity of the owner. In Moscow a special attention is paid to a person or restaurants holding opened this or that location.
How live Muscovites?
Simple family with two children spend around 400 dollars per month for food, around 100 dollars cost apartment’s maintenance (gas, electricity, water, internet, parking etc.). Medicines cost 40-50$. Unlimited capital public transport ticket costs 35 dollars (for one person). Cell phone maintenance costs 10-15 dollars (for one person). All together it is around 600 dollars approximately. If you drive a car you add 100 dollars for petrol and maintenance.
This is vital minimum per month you need to survive if you don’t pay for your accommodation. And don’t forget that you need to buy different clothes, electronic gadgets, go out with friends and family during weekend, visit hairdressing salon, by presents and do many other interesting things to enjoy your life in Moscow. So these 600-700 dollars easily may grow up to a few thousand dollars.
How to save money in Moscow?
First and fore most it is a question of what to eat. You can go to expensive luxury shops with excellent design, imported carefully ranked products, neat rows and polite stuff and pay for a kilo of tomatoes 10 dollars while in big hypermarket you will pay for the same quality tomatoes 3 dollars.
So if you want to save money we advise you to buy food in big food markets which are located in shopping malls. Today every good Moscow shopping mall has such hypermarket with different food at affordable costs. We also advise to take Russian products and not foreign analogues which today have similar quality and taste but costs much more.
Another one question is where to eat during your work day. Most of Muscovites do not go for lunch in cafes. We prepare sandwiches and other food for lunch time at home and take them with us. Many modern offices have kitchens, coffee machines and other comfort to help us save our salaries.
Of course it is difficult to shorten vital minimum we have mentioned above, but you can reduce other expenses.
We strongly recommend to get your health insurance and if you are driving a car full advanced cars assurance as well (in Russian it is called Kasko). If you don’t have medical and car insurances it is very expensive to pay for doctors and car repair at your own.
If you need some new clothes it is good to catch some serious discounts. At the end of the season and before some holidays like New Year, Women’s day etc. you can get up to 70% discount from original price.
If you want to buy consumer electronics the best places are big electronic hypermarkets which are also located at popular capital shopping malls. Hypermarkets with home goods and furniture are also located in big shopping centers. Good idea is to look for serious solutions outside of Moscow just a few km for example by Leningradsky Highway or at Moscow Automobile Ring Road (MKAD in Russian) which encircles Moscow. Good trade centers and shopping malls are located at the outside part of the ring.
If you want to save some money on entertainment you should know that many museums have free days. For example, some museums give free entrances every third Monday in the month.
During weekend prices for different leisure activities – cinemas, shows, children entertainment locations are much more expensive. Evening time offers in some areas are also more expensive than morning and daily sessions
If you want to buy subscription for fitness, Russian language lessons or whatever to pay for a year is cheaper than to pay for a month. Most expensive is one time entrance. For instance, a year access to swimming pool may coast in Moscow 1000 dollars, while monthly subscription will be around 150 dollars and one time entrance will be around 10-20 dollars.