Popular cities
Astana Prices & Cost of Living 2026
Kazakhstan · Big city — Astana is about 80% cheaper than New York. Not just exchange rates: what a fair price is, where it turns into a rip-off, and what that means in your money.
Astana prices at a glance
Just got quoted a price? Check it
Pick the item and type the price you were quoted or paid — instant verdict. If you actually paid it, you can share it right here.
Open in the app: see it in your money & log it ›Free · no sign-up · Rip-off guide
Astana travel difficulty
Mostly fixed prices; only airport taxi touts overcharge
Little English; Russian/Kazakh signage — translator app needed
Spread-out new city; buses and Yandex Go; long walks in winter cold
Contactless cards accepted almost everywhere; locals use Kaspi QR
Low crime; winter drops to -30°C — frostbite is the real risk
Good to knowIn winter ride Yandex Go rather than walk; book airport rides in-app too
Handy apps: Yandex Go · inDrive
Visas depend on your passport, so they are not scored. Info on this city is thin, so some scores lean on country-level data. Felt different on the ground? Tell other travelers below. Difficulty ranking for 502 cities ›
In your money
Astana is about 80% cheaper than New York
Based on 8 things travelers buy most, compared with New York. Each pair of bars is the same purchase in both cities, converted to your currency. Set your own city and currency in “My basis” above.
Astana in numbers
- 🍜17 local meals
- ☕34 coffees
- 🍺43 beers
- 🚕52 5-km taxi rides
- 💆4.3 h of massage
- 🏨1.7 hotel nights
- Local meal1 h 22 min · New York 52 min
- Coffee41 min · New York 15 min
- Beer33 min · New York 23 min
- Taxi27 min · New York 59 min
- Entry ticket#10 cheapest
- Transit#22 cheapest
- Taxi#28 cheapest
- Street food#202 cheapest
- Coffee#186 cheapest
Astana price guide & rip-off thresholds
Astana travel budget
Per person per day, estimated. Flights and shopping not included.
See 4-day, 1-week and 1-month budget tables › · Plan a multi-city trip budget ›
How to spend money in Astana
Cards and QR payments (Kaspi and others) work well; markets want cash (tenge).
Restaurants often add 10–15% service.
Check the bill for a service line.
In Almaty, Yandex Go taxis are cheap and easy; there is also a metro and buses.
Haggle at bazaars.
Bottled water is recommended.
Airport taxi touts; book through an app.
Live prices reported in Astana
Loading…
FAQ
Is Astana cheaper than New York?
Across 8 things travelers buy most (meals, coffee, beer, taxis, hotels…), Astana is about 80% cheaper than New York. A local meal is about ₸3,000 (≈ $5.77) and a coffee about ₸1,500 (≈ $2.88).
How hard is Astana to travel?
Averaging rip-offs, language, getting around, payments and safety, Astana scores 2.4/5 — 'moderate'. The main thing to watch is language (4/5): Little English; Russian/Kazakh signage — translator app needed. Tip: In winter ride Yandex Go rather than walk; book airport rides in-app too
Is Astana good for first-time travelers?
With a little preparation, yes (2.4/5). Language: Little English; Russian/Kazakh signage — translator app needed. Tip: In winter ride Yandex Go rather than walk; book airport rides in-app too
What is a realistic daily budget for Astana?
Mid-range (3-star hotel, local meals plus a dinner out, two taxi rides) is about $102 a day. Guesthouses and street food bring it to about $35; 4-star and restaurants push it to about $212.
How much does it cost to live in Astana for a month?
A short-term studio (about $872) plus food, transport and a SIM (about $708) comes to roughly $1,580 a month. A local long-term lease (studio about ₸200,000) brings it down a lot.
How much should a taxi cost in Astana?
For 5 km in town, expect ₸800 – ₸1,600; anything above ₸1,920 is suspicious. In Almaty, Yandex Go taxis are cheap and easy; there is also a metro and buses.
Do you tip in Astana?
Restaurants often add 10–15% service. Check the bill for a service line.
Can you use cards in Astana?
Cards and QR payments (Kaspi and others) work well; markets want cash (tenge).
Where do these numbers come from?
Base prices start from public cost-of-living data; once 3+ traveler reports come in, the app blends in the median of what people actually paid.
Fair range & rip-off line — each item gets its own spread (tight for transit, wide for street food). Above 1.2× the top of the fair range is flagged as a likely rip-off.
Budgets add up item prices for the lifestyle described above. Peak season and prime tourist spots run higher.
Exchange rate as of October 2026: 1 USD = ₸520. Last updated 2026-10-05.