🇰🇿 Almaty vs 🇦🇲 Yerevan

Kazakhstan vs Armenia — relocation comparison

TL;DRRent is roughly similar in both cities, so your decision here won't be dictated by your wallet. Congratulations, or condolences. Yerevan scores higher on democracy, which Almaty might dispute if they were allowed to.
65
Livability Score
🇰🇿 Almaty
Kazakhstan
Full profile →
70
Livability Score
🇦🇲 Yerevan
Armenia
Full profile →
Yerevan wins this one convincingly — the data doesn't lie. Almaty has its charms, but the numbers favor Yerevan.
💰
Cost of Living
Yerevan
$76/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Yerevan
2.2 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Yerevan
5.3/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
Yerevan
34°C summer highs
🗣️
English
Yerevan
higher proficiency score
Almaty
Metric
Yerevan
$756/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$680/mo
$361/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$308/mo
2.6 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
2.2 / 100k
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
22 / 100
28°C
☀️
Summer high
34°C
-9°C
❄️
Winter low
-6°C
133 Mbps
Internet speed
65 Mbps
3.1 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
5.3 / 10
Low (22/100)
🗣️
English ease
High (62/100)
$41k
💼
GDP per capita
$9k
8.7%
📈
Inflation
0.3%
65 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
70 / 100
Grid reliability
50/100 — Unreliable
🗽
Freedom House
54/100
📋
Time to PR
1 years

For the Kids

Schools, pediatric care, and whether your children can actually enroll

411
PISA
country avg
3
Intl schools
1
Public school
Yes (Armenian)
$352/mo
Childcare
private, full-day

Sources: OECD PISA 2022 · Wikipedia · Numbeo · official health systems

Settler Essentials

Democracy trend
declining
Industries
techminingtourismfood-beverage
Startup ecosystem
active
Grid reliability
50/100
Time to PR
1 yr
EU visa
Easy
RU visa
Easy
UA visa
Easy

Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals

The Short Version

  • Rent is 10% cheaper in Yerevan ($680/mo vs $756/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are noticeably warmer in Yerevan (34°C vs 28°C).
  • Yerevan scores higher on democracy (5.3 vs 3.1 / 10 EIU).
  • English is easier to get by in Yerevan (62/100 vs 22/100 English proficiency).

Almaty vs Yerevan — Common Questions

Is Almaty cheaper than Yerevan?

Yerevan is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $680/month in Yerevan vs $756/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Almaty or Yerevan?

Yerevan is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Almaty has a rate of 2.63 per 100,000 and Yerevan has 2.21 per 100,000.

Should I move to Almaty or Yerevan?

Yerevan wins this one convincingly — the data doesn't lie. Almaty has its charms, but the numbers favor Yerevan. 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 Yerevan?

Yerevan is warmer in summer (34°C vs 28°C). Almaty has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

Can I live in Almaty or Yerevan without speaking the local language?

English is easier to get by in Yerevan (EF EPI score: 62/100) than in Almaty (22/100). In Yerevan, daily life and professional settings often work in English. In Almaty, learning some of the local language will make long-term settlement significantly smoother.

Don't agree? Take the quiz and see what fits you.

Factor in your salary, family size, weather preferences, and deal-breakers.