Cost of Living: Almaty vs Saint Petersburg (2026)
Kazakhstan vs Russia — 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 17% cheaper in Almaty ($756/mo vs $908/mo for a 1BR city centre).
- •Summers are noticeably warmer in Almaty (28°C vs 21°C).
- •Almaty is safer by homicide rate (2.6 vs 7.8 per 100k).
- •Almaty scores higher on democracy (3.1 vs 2.2 / 10 EIU).
Almaty vs Saint Petersburg — Common Questions
Is Almaty cheaper than Saint Petersburg?▾
Almaty is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $756/month in Almaty vs $908/month in the other city (Numbeo data).
Which is safer, Almaty or Saint Petersburg?▾
Almaty is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Almaty has a rate of 2.63 per 100,000 and Saint Petersburg has 7.82 per 100,000.
Should I move to Almaty or Saint Petersburg?▾
Almaty scores 59 to Saint Petersburg's 44 on livability — the gap is real. Saint Petersburg has its charms, but the numbers favor Almaty. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.
Which has better weather, Almaty or Saint Petersburg?▾
Almaty is warmer in summer (28°C vs 21°C). Saint Petersburg has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.
Don't agree? Take the quiz and see what fits you.
Factor in your salary, family size, weather preferences, and deal-breakers.
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