Move to Russia
2 cities, one country, zero sugar-coating. Residency paths, real costs, and whether the government will leave you alone.
Russia at a Glance
1BR rent / mo
Democracy index
Homicides / 100k
English level
How to actually stay
Visas, residency, and the paperwork mountain between you and a lease
Visa routes we know about
Can your partner work?
Because 'trailing spouse' shouldn't mean 'trailing income'
Family members of HQS visa holders can work on their accompanying visa. Standard work visas do not grant dependent work rights.
Source: official guidance
Where to land in Russia
2 cities ranked by Livability Score — the one number that rolls up rent, safety, democracy, and internet
Saint Petersburg
46/100Moscow
42/100Compare cities in Russia
What it costs to exist
Real monthly numbers, not what the expat blog says
$1,499
priciest 1BR / mo
Rent + food + transport + utilities, averaged across 2 cities. No gym membership, no brunch budget.
How rich is everyone, really
GDP, taxes, and other numbers politicians argue about
$47,405
GDP per capita
2.1%
Unemployment
8.4%
Inflation
Moderate inequality — some neighborhoods will feel like different countries.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, press freedom, and whether you should use a VPN
2.22/10
🚩 Authoritarian regime
Is Russia safe?
Homicide rates and the stats that matter for sleeping at night
Mixed bag. Some cities are perfectly fine, others need homework.
Safest tracked city: Saint Petersburg (7.8 per 100k)
Can you order coffee?
The language situation, no sugarcoating
Russian
Primary language
Moderate
English proficiency (#49 globally)
English won't carry you far here. Learning Russian isn't optional — it's the price of admission.
❓ Moving to Russia — Common Questions
What is the best city to move to in Russia?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Saint Petersburg ranks #1 in Russia with a score of 46/100. City-centre rent starts around $908/month.
How much does it cost to live in Russia?▾
City-centre 1-bedroom rent ranges from $908 to $1499/month across our 2 tracked cities. Average monthly solo expenses are around $1,836.
Is Russia a democracy?▾
Russia scores 2.22/10 on the EIU Democracy Index and is classified as a "Authoritarian regime."
Is Russia safe to live in?▾
The average homicide rate across our tracked cities in Russia is 7.8 per 100,000 people. Research specific neighborhoods before committing.