Immigration. Travel. Living.

Cost of living in Kyrgyzstan – full guide

Kyrgyzstan is a country in Central Asia which surprised by its mountains and nomads. It can be stated that Kyrgyzstan is somewhat cheap for living compared with other countries.   Here’s a breakdown to help you estimate your costs.

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Accommodation

It is fairly cheap in Bishkek which is the capital city; for instance, a one-bedroom apartment in Bishkek outside the CBD is in the range of USD 200 and USD 400 per month. The average rent in the city centre shall be within the bracket of $320 to USD 450 per month.   Living expenses are also relatively low and this is especially so if one is living in areas such as small towns or even villages and it might cost as low as 60 USD per month.   

Some of them include electricity, water, and internet, which are relatively cheap, costing about twenty-five US dollars per month besides the cost of accommodation.  

Food

From the analysis of the results, it can be concluded that the prices for food in the country are affordable, and the meals themselves are quite tasty. Street food is real and affordable as compared to the price of food that is prepared for home consumption, the prices range between $1- USD 2.  

Snacks are other meals which involve taking group sit-down meals at local restaurants which cost between $5 and $10 per head. This is because adding Western restaurants to be considered when deciding where to eat will be an extra cost.   

The home cooked foods such as vegetables, fruits, cereals, etc. are relatively cheaper, more so when bought from local merchants. Concerning the above consumption pattern, any student should expect to spend between $ 100 – USD 150 per month on groceries.  

Transportation

Another advantage that can be associated with the use of public means of transport is that this is relatively cheap in Kyrgyzstan. And using it is a good way of cutting down on expenditure. Bishkek is well connected with nearly all areas by shared taxis known as ‘marshrutkas’ and buses with the average fare of less than one dollar per person for a one-way trip. Taxis are also reasonably priced and in some cases may be a little bit on the high side if one is to hire so many taxis in a given day.  

For instance, ride-sharing applications like Yandex. Transportation in the form of taxis as some means being easier and at times cheaper than others when it comes to moving from one place to another.  

Phone and internet

Mobile phone plans are also reasonably cheap and an average user can be able to get a data pack of $10 per month. Cyber cafes are very popular in most places and one can easily get a connection to the home at $20 per month.  

Clothing and foods

Food prices and other necessities are relatively affordable, while clothes can also be purchased relatively cheaply, especially from the market. This is so because the imported brands will cost more to produce than the local brands because of factors such as the cost of acquiring the raw materials and other inputs.  

Entertainment

It is more inclined towards movie tickets, nights out and cultural events that, as we know, are far cheaper than those in Western nations.  Cruising or sightseeing is a type of tourism that can cost as little as nothing at all or a little bit of money depending on details.  

Total monthly costs

From the survey, it was found that for a single person to cater for the personal necessities the amount of money required per month in Bishkek is between 500 to 700 USD. This involves accommodation, feeding, transport, power, water and sometimes other sundry expenses such as taking meals. People from small towns are regarded as economical because they can spend up to 300-USD400 a month.  

Conclusion

Summing up, it is possible to conclude that Kyrgyzstan can be regarded as quite a promising country for tourists and expats. With a relatively low budget but to get a taste of the foreign and its unique culture. Therefore, it can be stated that it is comfortable to live in Kyrgyzstan because it has beautiful landscapes, friendly people, and low rents.  

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