Kazakhstan🇰🇿

At a Glance

How Kazakhstan compares across key indices

Quality of Life107Safety55Healthcare61Affordability32Climate35Clean Air73

Cost of Living

32 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

55/100

Healthcare

61/100

Quality of Life

107/200

Climate

35/100

Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Kazakhstan

Cost of Living

32

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

10

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

32

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

34

100 = NYC dining

Monthly costs range from $1,093 in Astana (Nur-Sultan) to $1,421 in Almaty

City Costs Comparison

Astana (Nur-Sultan)

Cheapest

$1,093/mo

Food$98

Almaty

$1,421/mo

Food$123

Safety & Crime

Moderate Risk

How safe residents feel in Kazakhstan — based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

55/100

Crime Index

45/100

Lower is better

Crime Trend

53/100

Mixed perception

Walking Safety

Daytime75
Nighttime44

31 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Corruption & bribery
Very High80
Property crimes
Moderate48
Drug-related crime
Low40
Violent crimes
Low37

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Things stolen from car
Moderate48
Home broken into
Low45
Being mugged or robbed
Low45
Being physically attacked
Low44
Being insulted or harassed
Low41
Car stolen
Low38
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Low28

Based on 450 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has 2 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,093 in Astana (Nur-Sultan) to $1,421 in Almaty. Astana (Nur-Sultan) leads on safety, scoring 67/100. Astana (Nur-Sultan) ranks highest for quality of life at 128/200.

💸Most Affordable

Astana (Nur-Sultan)

$1,093/mo

Safest

Astana (Nur-Sultan)

67/100

Best Quality of Life

Astana (Nur-Sultan)

128/200

Best Healthcare

Astana (Nur-Sultan)

67/100

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Astana (Nur-Sultan)$1,09367/100128/20067/10055
Almaty$1,42147/100100/20051/10079

Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.

Compare Cities Side by Side

Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life

Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for Kazakhstan

Healthcare Index

61/100

Quality Breakdown

Modern Equipment66/100
Speed of Service62/100
Friendliness & Courtesy58/100
Accuracy & Completeness57/100
Staff Skill & Competency56/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist51/100
Cost Satisfaction61/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 198 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

Employer Sponsored
54.0%
Public
21.2%
None
17.2%
Private
7.6%
Healthcare61Safety55Quality of Life107
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Environment

Polluted

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Kazakhstan

Pollution Index

73/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Green Spaces & Parks58/100
Drinking Water Quality56/100
Clean & Tidy48/100
Comfortable to Spend Time40/100
Garbage Disposal38/100
Air Quality23/100

Concerns

Water Pollution53/100
Noise & Light Pollution49/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 242 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

How people get around in Kazakhstan

Average One-Way Commute

36minutes

Average

Traffic Index

136

Moderate congestion

Inefficiency

138

Time wasted in traffic

CO2 Emissions

3.8kg/trip

How People Commute

Car38.2%
Bus/Trolleybus24.5%
Walking18.6%
Working from Home12.7%
Bicycle2.9%
Motorcycle2.0%
Train/Metro1.0%

Based on 102 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Kazakhstan, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan has a cost of living index of 32 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,093 in Astana (Nur-Sultan) and reach $1,421 in Almaty.

What is the cheapest city in Kazakhstan for expats?

Astana (Nur-Sultan) is the most affordable city in Kazakhstan with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $1,093 for a single person including rent. Almaty is the next most affordable at $1,421/mo.

Is Kazakhstan safe for expats?

Kazakhstan has a safety index of 55/100, making it moderately safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Astana (Nur-Sultan) scores highest on safety at 67/100.

What is the best city in Kazakhstan for expats and digital nomads?

Astana (Nur-Sultan) ranks highest for quality of life in Kazakhstan, scoring 128/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $1,093/mo for a single person.

How good is healthcare in Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan scores 61/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it good by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.

Is Kazakhstan cheaper than the United States?

Yes. Kazakhstan's cost of living is roughly 68% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 90% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.

What is the air quality and pollution like in Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan has a pollution index of 73/100 (lower = cleaner). Pollution can be a concern in urban areas. Research specific cities before committing, as rural and coastal areas typically fare better.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Kazakhstan

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