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Questions and answers:

Skanky Dada asks: Can I survive on 500 thousand rubles a month in Russia?
Expert's answer:
As of August 2023, most working people in Russia earn in the range of about 20,000-40,000 Rubles per month. With an income of 500,000 rubles a month, you can live in very comfortable conditions everywhere in Russia, including Moscow.
Margarita asks: Hi! I just got a remote job where I earn 1000 USD and I've been thinking, is this enough to live comfortably in Saint Petersburg? It's my dream city and I'd love to be able to afford it. And if not, what city nearby would allow me to live comfortably with this salary? Thanks!
Expert's answer:
As of June 2023, 1,000 USD is about 85,000 Rubles. Most working people in St. Petersburg earn in the range of about 40,000-50,000 Rubles per month. You can rent an apartment with one living room for about 20,000-30,000 Rubles per month (check this list). The following article about cost of living in Saint Petersburg should be useful. In general, I think, this income should be enough, if you live in this city alone, but for example, buying an apartment or even a car will most likely be financially difficult. Also, be sure to check how you will be able to receive your salary in Russia, since international payments are very limited due to sanctions.
Ariel asks: Is 1,000 Rubles in Russia much?
Expert's answer:
It is not much. As of June 2023, you can buy about 12 liters of milk or 30 loaves of bread or 3-4 movie tickets with this amount of money in most of Russia.
Andy asks: If you were given an extra 76,000 rubles as a gift in Russia, how helpful would this be?
Expert's answer:

As of May 2023, 76,000 Russian Rubles or about 1,000 USD is a fairly significant amount of money for most people living in Russia. Most working people in Russia (not in Moscow or St. Petersburg) earn in the range of about 20,000-40,000 Rubles per month.

Just be very careful when sending money to anyone in Russia unless you are absolutely sure that it is a real person. Otherwise the risk of being scammed is very high. In our opinion, at least without regular live video communication, you should not trust anyone.

Rose asks: Is 800 dollars a lot in Russian currency?
Expert's answer:
As of April 2023, 800 USD is about 64,000 Russian Rubles. Most working people in Russia (not in Moscow or St. Petersburg) earn in the range of about 20,000-40,000 Rubles per month. So it is not a small amount, but it is not too big either.
Bedo asks: Is 100 Euro ok for Kaliningrad to eat in cafe and make maybe visit museum. And if its danger to visit Kaliningrad in this time?
Expert's answer:
As of February 2023, 100 euros is about 7,500 rubles. The average check in Kaliningrad cafes and inexpensive restaurants is in the range of about 600-1000 rubles (without alcohol). The average ticket price of a local museum is about 400-500 rubles. So this amount will be more than enough for 1-2 days in Kaliningrad. There is no danger in visiting Kaliningrad, just take cash with you as your cards most likely won't work.
Tim asks: How much is a house in Russia?
Expert's answer:
As of mid-2022, the average cost of a country house suitable for year-round living amounted to 11.2 million rubles (about 160,000 USD) in Russia. At the same time, buyers are cutting budgets and choosing smaller houses. Half of the buyers are looking for a country house up to 100 sq. m for 3 million rubles (43,000 USD). Check the following auto-translated article about Country houses in Russia.
Rob asks: What is the price of auto fuel in Russia?
Expert's answer:
As of December 2022, the price of gasoline in most regions of Russia is in the range of about 45-55 rubles per liter (0.75-0.9 USD), diesel fuel - 50-60 rubles (0.8-1 USD).
Steve asks: How much does a Russian university student need per month in Saint Petersburg? (Russian citizen, not international student). What is the minimum, and what is comfortable, including housing?
Expert's answer:
Check the following article about student living cost in St. Petersburg.
John asks: I am planning to move in Yekaterinburg with my family this November. Is 50,000 rubles enough to live with 3 family members in Yekaterinburg?
Expert's answer:
As of August 2022, this amount will be barely enough for a family of 3 members to live in Yekaterinburg. Renting an apartment with 1 living room will cost you at least about 15,000-20,000 Rubles per month. The rest will be enough for very basic food and utilities and that's all. Most people working in this city earn about 25,000-40,000 Rubles per month, so this is enough, if you don't have to rent an apartment.
Amy asks: How much do you need to live comfortably in Moscow with a family of three (two adults and one toddler)?
Expert's answer:
Check the following article: Cost of Living in Moscow (August 2022). You can use it to get a rough estimation of your budget.
art asks: Is $6,000 cad a month enough to live in Moscow?
Expert's answer:
As of August 2022, it is about 270,000 Rubles. Most working people in Moscow earn in the range of about 50,000-70,000 Rubles per month. So this sum will be enough to live in this city, rent an apartment not far from the center.
Jon asks: Is $1,395 cad a month enough to live in Russia somewhere comfortably?
Expert's answer:
As of February, 2022, this is equivalent to about 80,000 Russian rubles. Most working people in Russia earn about 25,000-35,000 rubles a month (except for Moscow, St. Petersburg, and some regions with extreme natural conditions). So this level of income will be sufficient for a relatively comfortable life in small/medium-sized provincial towns/cities, most regional capitals (including renting an apartment).
Luan asks: Is 6,000 RUB enough for staying in Saint Petersburg for one week? Not considering the stay
Expert's answer:
I would double this amount to feel comfortable enough even if you are going to eat in inexpensive fast food restaurants. If you cook your own food and don't move around the city a lot, visit museums, etc., then the amount of 6,000 rubles will be enough.
Hamma001 asks: I will study in Ryazan. Will 107 USD monthly suffice? I will live in a dorm
Expert's answer:
As of 2021, 107 USD is about 8,000 Rubles. Most working people in Ryazan earn in the range of about 20,000-40,000 Rubles per month. With 8,000 Rubles per month, you will be able to buy only basic food to cook it yourself and that's all. So you need to have at least 200 USD a month, and preferably 300-400 USD for a more or less normal life.
GuyAzbell asks: Can I live in Russia with 2,500 US dollars a month?
Expert's answer:
As of 2021, 2,500 USD (about 190,000 Rubles) is more than enough to live comfortably everywhere in Russia, although in Moscow you will spend much more renting an apartment. Most working people in Russia (not in Moscow or St. Petersburg) earn in the range of about 20,000-40,000 Rubles per month.
question asks: How much living cost? I plan on locating to Russia, need to know how much living costs are. If I own apartment in city e.g. Samara. Would 20,000 Ruble be adequate? 40,000? Is budget for living as local, not as tourist. Will these be sufficient for 1 person, include, utilities, food, insurances, internet, basic cellphone plan etc. Not luxurious lifestyle.
Expert's answer:
As of 2021, most working people in Samara earn in the range of 20,000 to 40,000 rubles per month. So an income of 20,000 rubles is already enough, if you have your own apartment and live alone. An income of 40,000 rubles will be quite sufficient for a fairly comfortable life.
big boi asks: hey i have a budget of around $1951 usd and i was wondering is that enough to live one week in moscow with transportation and everything
Expert's answer:
The sum of 1,951 USD is about 140,000 Rubles (May 2021). So you have about 20,000 Rubles per day. Accommodation in a hotel in the central part of Moscow will be about 3,000-4,000 Rubles per night. The average check in cafes is about 1,000-1,500 Rubles, so you will spend about 3,000-5,000 Rubles a day on food. The remaining 11,000 Rubles per day will be more than enough for transportation, museums, souvenirs, etc.
Max asks: Is 2,000 rubles a lot?
Expert's answer:
It is not a lot, at the current exchange rate (March 2021), 2,000 Rubles = about 27 USD. For example, you can buy about 5-10 movie tickets or 40 liters of milk or 40 kilos of sugar with this amount of money in Russia. Most people in Russia earn about 20,000-30,000 Rubles per month.
Samira asks: I really want to visit Moscow. My question is, how much Rubles is enough in total for two weeks in Moscow. I have a place to stay so hotel expenses is not relevant.
Expert's answer:
If your main expenses for 14 days will be food (fast food restaurants and inexpensive cafes), transport, museums, souvenirs, then the amount of about 800-900 USD (60,000-70,000 Rubles) should be enough.
AD asks: Hello. I'll visit Saint Petersburg for 4days & 1day in Moscow. Is 45,000 INR enough for a decent hotel and food? I have a separate 5000 INR for traveling in trains and metro.
Expert's answer:
The current exchange rate (December, 2020) is about 1 INR per 1 Ruble, so you have about 50,000 Rubles. The average cost of living in hotels in St. Petersburg is 2,850 rubles per night, in Moscow slightly higher. Lunch for one in an inexpensive place - about 500-600 rubles. So your budget will be more than enough for 5 days stay.
Cody asks: Would 250,000 rubles a month be enough to live comfortable in a big city?
Expert's answer:
Yes, this monthly budget is more than enough to have a comfortable life (not luxurious of course) in a big city in Russia. Most people in Russia earn in the range of about 20,000-40,000 Rubles per month, more in big cities (Moscow, St. Petersburg), but still about 50,000-60,000 Rubles.
Vadim asks: Hello. I will be at Moscow for one week in August. Will 600$ be enough for living there for this time. My planned activities are the following: night live, museums, metro,...
Expert's answer:
As of February 2019, 600 USD is about 40,000 Rubles. Most people in Moscow earn about 40,000-60,000 Rubles per month. So if this sum doesn't include accommodation than it will be more than enough for one week. Of course we are not talking about visiting expensive restaurants and nightclubs.
Elina asks: Hi, i'm going to spend 3 days in Moscow and 3 days in St. Petersburg in may 2019; i want to know is 1500 rubles enough for food, transportation and entertainment per day? (For 1 person) and i will pay for train ticket (Moscow-st.p) before.
Expert's answer:

Here are some examples of prices in Moscow and St. Petersburg in 2018, so they will probably be a little higher in the spring of 2019.

1 metro ticket: 55 Rubles in Moscow and 45 Rubles in St. Petersburg. During one day you will most likely need at least 2 tickets, and possibly 4-6 depending on the places you are going to visit, so at least about 200-300 Rubles only for this purpose.

The cost of food can vary very much. The average check in fast food restaurants (McDonald's for example) is about 500-700 rubles, so if you will eat there, you will need about 1,500-2,000 per day.

About entertainment, if you mean museums/galleries, the average prices are in the range of about 200-500 Rubles per visit in Moscow. So I think that 1,500 per day won't be enough and you should better have something like 3,000-3,500 Rubles per day.

Lynda asks: Hi I will be going to St. Petersburg for 5 days. How much cash should I set aside for food, transport, attractions? I intend to try out some of their nice cafes specialties, etc.
Expert's answer:
After reading some fresh reviews of travelers who stayed in St. Petersburg for a period of 5-7 days, I can say that the sum of about 30,000-40,000 rubles (500-600 USD) should be more than enough in your case (food, transportation, entertainment).
James asks: How much would I spend in a month if I were to study in Kursk area?
Expert's answer:
In 2016, according to official statistics, the average salary in Kursk was about 24,000 Rubles per month (400 USD). But a lot of people earn much less, about 10,000-15,000 Rubles, so this sum will already be enough if you live in a dorm and spend mostly on food.
Shakam asks: I am visiting Moscow to a friend in late August. Want to spend 10 days in a 3 star hotel and with good facilities. want to have sight seeing movies and outing. Is 1,500 USD enough for 10 days trip? kindly help me in this. thank you.
Expert's answer:
In 2017, the average cost of living in a three-star hotel in Moscow is about 3,000-4,000 rubles per day (50-70 USD), so 500-700+ USD will be spent on accommodation only. The average check in a cafe can be up to 1,000 rubles, so you will spend about 20-30 thousand rubles on food (350-500 USD). 40 trips by subway cost 1,440 rubles (25 USD). So you are left with about 200-300 USD on everything else. I think that in order to feel more free in spending you need to have a total budget of about 2,000 USD.
Floshka asks: I am going to Buryatia, Ulan-Ude for 3.5 weeks. However, I do not need to pay for lodging, I am staying at my friends place. How much money do I need then for expenses?
Expert's answer:
In 2016, the average salary in Ulan-Ude was about 400-500 USD per month. So this sum will already be enough to live in this city for almost one month as in your case.
Callum asks: I am going to Moscow in August and have 82434 Rubles. I was wondering if that would be enough for 2017.
Expert's answer:
Today, the usual salary in Moscow is about 50,000-60,000 Rubles per month, so this sum will be enough to live in the city for some time. If you mean a monthly salary of this size, then it is somewhat higher than the average salary.
Hirota asks: I'll be visiting Moscow in February for 5 days. I've got a free accommodation already, and I'm planning to be thrifty and probably bring about 6,000-9,000 RUB (100-150EUR). Would that be enough for one person or two? Mind you, I don't mind dining at very "local" places.
Expert's answer:
I think that it will be enough for 1 person and definitely not enough for 2. The cost of a unified public transport ticket (20 trips) is 700 rubles. Here is the list of relatively cheap cafes in Moscow.
Robert asks: I'm going to Samara, Russia this summer for five days. How much money should I take with me for expences? I'll be meeting a lady that I've been writing to for three months and we'll be going sight seeing and going out to dinner a few times so please factor that into your answer. Thanks.
Expert's answer:
The average cost of accommodation in hotels in Samara is about 2,000-3,000 rubles per night (30-50 USD) (December 2016). The average bill in local cafes is about 1,000 Rubles per person (15 USD). So your total expenses will start from about 600-700 USD. Of course this is a very rough estimate.
Sasha asks: I'm going to Novorossiysk for 9 days in December. I want to know if 500 usd can do me a lot. My girlfriend lives there and we are going to hangout everyday going to movies, nice restaurant, shopping for her,buying her watch, buying her huge teddy bear. Will 500 USD dollars be enough money for all of that?
Expert's answer:
In 2016, the average salary in Novorossiysk was about 400 USD per month. The cost of one ticket to the movies - about 3-5 USD, the average bill in a restaurant - about 20-30 USD. This list of Novorossiysk restaurants will probably be useful. In general, I think this amount may be enough but it is better to have some more in reserve.
Martin asks: What does public transport cost in Saint Petersburg?
Expert's answer:
The fare on trams, trolleys and buses is 30 rubles, metro ticket - 35 rubles (about 0.5 USD, February, 2016).
ali khalsa asks: How long can you stay in Russia for $8000?
Expert's answer:
The average income in Russia is about 400-500 USD per month, so this sum is enough to live in the country for at least one year.
Carl asks: I am going for a 2 week holiday to Krasnodar. I will be staying in a bed and breakfast hotel. I am taking 700 UK pounds spending money in rubles. Will this be enough? Thanks
Expert's answer:
It is about 40,000 Rubles; the official average salary in Krasnodar (in the first months of 2014) was about 30,000 Rubles per month. In reality, a lot of people have salaries less than 20,000 Rubles per month. So this sum will be enough for two weeks.
MI asks: Prices food in Yaroslavl Russia?
Expert's answer:
You can check the site of the following Yaroslavl online grocery. The exchange rate is about 60 Russian Rubles per 1 USD.
Ashley asks: How many Russian Roubles would it be for a movie ticket?
Expert's answer:
The average cost of a movie ticket in Russia is about 200-300 Rubles.
tom asks: What does it cost per month to rent a two bedroom apartment in Stary Oskol Russia?
Expert's answer:
According to the following list of apartments available for long-term rent in Stary Oskol, the average monthly rate for an apartment with 2-3 living rooms is about 10,000-15,000 Rubles.
Anil Krishna asks: Is rice, wheat flour and other pulses available in Yaroslavl? What is the price?
Expert's answer:
I have found the following site offering numerous foodstuffs in Yaroslavl.
Anil Krishna asks: Is Yaroslavl a well developed city? I want to take admission in Yaroslavl state medical academy so how are the studies there, what is the cost of living in Yaroslavl and winter climate? What is the cost of milk and eggs in Yaroslavl?
Expert's answer:
You should check the official site of Yaroslavl. The site of Yaroslavl State Medical University may be useful too. Information about the climate in Yaroslavl.
hossam el bagoury asks: The price of food and transportation in Ivanovo?
Expert's answer:
The cost of a ticket for public transport (trolleybuses, buses) is about 20 Rubles. Some food prices: white bread loaf - 20-30 Rubles, 1 liter of milk - 40-50 Rubles, 10 eggs - 50-60 Rubles, 1 kilo of sugar - 35-40 Rubles. For comparison, the cost of a movie ticket is about 200-300 Rubles.
theresa asks: how much would it cost to fly from Los Angeles,CA to St. Petersburg,Russia? and how much would it cost to stay there for a month?
Expert's answer:
The cost of a round trip flight starts from about 30,000 Rubles. If you are going to rent a one-room apartment for a month, it will cost you about 20,000-30,000 Rubles. Other costs (food, transport, museums, etc.) will be about 30,000+ Rubles.
adam asks: How expensive is it to travel from Moscow airport, to Sokol by car, train or taxi? Estimate in U.S. dollars if possible.
Expert's answer:
There are several trains running from Yaroslavl railway station of Moscow to Vologda (the capital city of Vologda oblast where the town of Sokol is located). The price of the ticket is about 1,000-2,000 Rubles, time in travel - 8-9 hours. From Vologda there is a regular bus to Sokol running several times a day.
nicholas asks: How many rubles will a house cost in Kyzyl?
Expert's answer:
The average price of a house in Kyzyl is in the range of about 2,000,000-3,000,000 Rubles.
Curious asks: How much does it cost to take train from Moscow to Yoskar-Ola and also the cost of train from Yoshkar-Ola to Moscow?
Expert's answer:
In July 2010, the cost of a train ticket was about the same for both directions and started from 1,500-1,600 Rubles (the lowest level of comfort), 3,700-4,300 Rubles (medium/upper medium level), 7,000-8,000 Rubles (high level).
Serguei Hulse asks: What is the cost of renting an apartment in Rostov on Don?
Expert's answer:
The cost of renting an apartment varies greatly depending on the district of the city, number of living rooms etc. The prices for 1-2 rooms apartments are about 250-350 USD per month.

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