Best cities to live in Russia (2026)
2 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Saint Petersburg
47/100Moscow
43/100Compare cities in Russia
❓ Living in Russia — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Russia?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Saint Petersburg ranks #1 in Russia with a score of 47/100, and city-centre rent from around $908/month.
What is the safest city in Russia?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Saint Petersburg is the safest city in Russia in our database, with a rate of 7.8 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Saint Petersburg or Moscow?▾
Saint Petersburg scores 47/100 on our Livability Score vs 43/100 for Moscow. Rent is $908/mo in Saint Petersburg vs $1499/mo in Moscow. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in Russia?▾
Russia offers the Russia HQS Work Permit (ВКС) (moderate process). Duration: Up to 3 years (renewable). Key requirement: Employer sponsorship + salary ≥ 250,000 RUB/mo (~$2,735/mo). No quota, no language exam. 13% flat PIT rate.. The process is moderate difficulty. Check individual city pages for full details.
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