Karaganda (Qaraghandy) vs Kostanay (Kustanay): Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Kostanay (Kustanay) costs roughly 4.5x less than Karaganda (Qaraghandy). Karaganda (Qaraghandy) has significantly faster average internet speeds (55 Mbps vs 30 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Karaganda (Qaraghandy) is approximately 51% less expensive than Kostanay (Kustanay) based on cost of living including rent. This makes Karaganda (Qaraghandy) a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Karaganda (Qaraghandy) has a FIRE Score of 77/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 60, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Karaganda (Qaraghandy) is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Karaganda (Qaraghandy)
Karaganda is a cheap place to park yourself, with a 1-bedroom in the center at $349/mo and a comfortable single life at $718/mo, but a $751/mo average net salary means most locals are not living that life. The air quality index of 82 and Fair healthcare are real drawbacks, and with limited English and a small expat community concentrated in the South District, you had better arrive with Russian or Kazakh and a tolerance for solitude. Digital nomads should note the $3,900/mo income floor on the Kazakhstan Digital Nomad Visa, which is steep for a city this inexpensive. Retirees score it 52/100 for good reason: cheap, safe enough at a 60/100 safety index, and thoroughly unglamorous.
About Kazakhstan
Low English proficiency and limited English-speaking doctors make daily life and healthcare navigation genuinely hard here. Budget-focused remote workers should push through anyway: a flat 10% income tax paired with $555/mo living costs (excluding rent) and $498/mo for a city-center 1BR is tough to beat. Political stability sits near zero and safety scores are middling, so this suits pragmatic savers over comfort-seekers.
$2,514/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Kostanay (Kustanay)
Kostanay is a brutally affordable city where a single adult can live comfortably on $965 a month, including rent, but the local average salary of $492 a month tells you exactly who this place is for: expats with remote income. The rent gap between city center and outskirts is laughably small, with a three-bedroom downtown costing only $615, so there is no real reason to live anywhere else. The digital nomad visa demands a $3,900 monthly income, which is absurdly high relative to local costs, making the city a better fit for retirees on a Permanent Residence Permit or FIRE seekers who value the 88/100 FIRE score over English proficiency or nightlife.
About Kazakhstan
Low English proficiency and limited English-speaking doctors make daily life and healthcare navigation genuinely hard here. Budget-focused remote workers should push through anyway: a flat 10% income tax paired with $555/mo living costs (excluding rent) and $498/mo for a city-center 1BR is tough to beat. Political stability sits near zero and safety scores are middling, so this suits pragmatic savers over comfort-seekers.
$2,287/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
Compare income thresholds, fees and residency paths for routes in these countries.
Compare visa routes in this countryBattle of Lifestyles
Scroll to compare
| Metric | Karaganda (Qaraghandy) | Kostanay (Kustanay) |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $348.98 | $525.71 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $209.39 | $372.84 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $559.26 | $615.19 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $371.35 | $492.15 |
| Safety Index | 60 | 65 |
| Internet Speed | 55Mbps | 30Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Karaganda (Qaraghandy) | Kostanay (Kustanay) |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $581/mo | $815/mo |
| Excluding rent | $372/mo | $442/mo |
| Rent | $209/mo | $373/mo |
| Groceries | $121/mo | $134/mo |
| Dining out | $110/mo | $112/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $44.00/mo | $80.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $97.00/mo | $116/mo |
| Transport | N/A | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
Planning a move to Kostanay (Kustanay)? Make sure you have the right visa.
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized visa match in under 2 minutes.
Find my visa →Compare any two visa routes.
Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths, side by side. Search by country, including Kazakhstan and Kazakhstan.
Compare visas →Explore Kazakhstan
Karaganda (Qaraghandy) vs Kostanay (Kustanay) -- Frequently Asked Questions
Click any question to expand the answer.
Resources for Moving to Kostanay (Kustanay)
Find hotels in Kostanay (Kustanay)
Search and compare hotel prices across hundreds of booking sites.
Search hotels →Short-term rentals in Kostanay (Kustanay)
Browse vacation rentals while you scout neighborhoods for a long-term lease.
Browse rentals →Tours and activities in Kostanay (Kustanay)
Discover top attractions, day trips, and unique experiences.
Explore activities →eSIM for Kostanay (Kustanay)
Get connected the moment you land. No physical SIM needed.
Get eSIM →VPN for secure browsing in Kostanay (Kustanay)
Protect your data and access geo-restricted content while traveling.
Get NordVPN →