Cost of Living: Almaty vs Milan (2026)
Kazakhstan vs Italy — relocation comparison
For the Kids
Schools, pediatric care, and whether your children can actually enroll
Sources: OECD PISA 2022 · Wikipedia · Numbeo · official health systems
Settler Essentials
Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals
The Short Version
- •Rent is 56% cheaper in Almaty ($756/mo vs $1737/mo for a 1BR city centre).
- •Milan is safer by homicide rate (0.5 vs 2.6 per 100k).
- •Milan scores higher on democracy (7.7 vs 3.1 / 10 EIU).
- •English is easier to get by in Milan (62/100 vs 22/100 English proficiency).
Almaty vs Milan — Common Questions
Is Almaty cheaper than Milan?▾
Almaty is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $756/month in Almaty vs $1737/month in the other city (Numbeo data).
Which is safer, Almaty or Milan?▾
Milan is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Almaty has a rate of 2.63 per 100,000 and Milan has 0.55 per 100,000.
Should I move to Almaty or Milan?▾
Milan edges ahead 67 to 59. Almaty isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.
Is it easier to get residency in Almaty or Milan?▾
Almaty: no specific remote work visa. Milan: Italy Digital Nomad Visa (moderate requirements, 1 year (renewable)). See each city's profile page for full requirements.
Can I live in Almaty or Milan without speaking the local language?▾
English is easier to get by in Milan (EF EPI score: 62/100) than in Almaty (22/100). In Milan, daily life and professional settings often work in English. In Almaty, learning some of the local language will make long-term settlement significantly smoother.
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