Cost of Living: Almaty vs Saint Petersburg (2026)

Almaty is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $756/month there vs $908/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

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.

Almaty scores 58 to Saint Petersburg's 48 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.

Almaty: no specific remote work visa. Saint Petersburg: Russia HQS Work Permit (ВКС) (moderate requirements, Up to 3 years (renewable)). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Almaty is warmer in summer (82°F vs 70°F). Saint Petersburg has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

Saint Petersburg is easier for street-level English (32/100) than Almaty (12/100). That's the score that matters for doctors, landlords, and bureaucracy. Office English can still run higher than street English in both cities.

A 1-bedroom in the centre: $756/month in Almaty, $908/month in Saint Petersburg (Numbeo). That's 17% cheaper rent in Almaty.

Almaty scores 3.1/10 on the EIU Democracy Index vs 2.2/10 for Saint Petersburg. Worth researching — neither scores as a 'full democracy,' so dig into press freedom and judicial independence before committing.

Saint Petersburg scores higher on our composite healthcare index (70/100 vs 65/100 for Almaty). That score combines clinical outcomes (IHME), universal coverage (WHO), and resident perception (Numbeo) — not just whether hospitals exist but whether the system actually works for settlers.