In Brief: What Life in Astana Costs
The average gross salary in Astana in Q2 2026 was KZT 647,920 (≈USD 1,470), 1.3 times the national average of KZT 486,388. That is an average, though: the national median salary is KZT 348,415 (≈USD 790), so half of all employees earn less.
Housing is the biggest expense: at the average BNS rate, a 40 m² one-room apartment rents for about KZT 243,000 (≈USD 550) a month. A monthly bus pass costs KZT 7,500 (≈USD 17) and an LRT ride KZT 200. Prices in Astana rose 10.2% over the year — faster than the national average of 9.3%.
Average Salary and Incomes in Astana
| Indicator | Astana | Kazakhstan |
|---|---|---|
| Average gross monthly salary, Q2 2026 | KZT 647,920 (≈USD 1,470) | KZT 486,388 (≈USD 1,103) |
| Salary growth, year on year | +8.3% | +8.4% |
| Real salary (adjusted for inflation) | −1.0% | −1.8% |
| Median salary, Q2 2026 | not in the quarterly release | KZT 348,415 (≈USD 790) |
| Per-capita monthly income, Q2 2026 | KZT 365,451 (≈USD 829) | KZT 263,691 (≈USD 598) |
| Residents with incomes below the subsistence minimum, Q2 2026 | 2.9% — the lowest of all regions | 5.0% |
Bureau of National Statistics (BNS): salaries — release of 02.09.2026, incomes — 02.10.2026, poverty — 28.09.2026. Gross salary is before income tax and pension contributions; small businesses are excluded. US dollar equivalents at USD 1 = KZT 440.86 (National Bank, 01.10.2026).
Per-capita income is lower than salaries because it is spread across all residents, including children and pensioners, and also covers pensions, benefits and self-employment income. On this measure Astana ranks second after Almaty (KZT 427,584), although the capital leads on average salary: in Almaty it was KZT 610,371.
The minimum wage in 2026 is KZT 85,000 (≈USD 193) and the subsistence minimum is KZT 50,851 (≈USD 115) a month, under the 2026–2028 national budget law. At the end of Q2, Astana had 6,823 job vacancies — second only to Almaty.
Salaries by Industry
| Industry | Average salary, Q2 2026 | Year on year |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and insurance | KZT 1,107,576 | +16.0% |
| Mining and quarrying | KZT 980,334 | +10.3% |
| Information and communication | KZT 851,076 | +3.8% |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | KZT 655,277 | +4.9% |
| Transport and storage | KZT 639,411 | +8.4% |
| Construction | KZT 573,110 | +16.9% |
| Wholesale and retail trade | KZT 451,524 | +12.1% |
| Public administration | KZT 392,220 | +9.3% |
| Education | KZT 385,725 | +3.2% |
| Accommodation and food services | KZT 373,433 | +7.8% |
| Real estate activities | KZT 371,109 | +12.4% |
| Health and social work | KZT 360,296 | +6.1% |
National averages (BNS, 02.09.2026): the quarterly release has no industry breakdown for Astana. Small businesses are excluded.
Housing: Rent and Purchase Prices
According to the BNS, in August 2026 rent in Astana averaged KZT 6,079 per m² a month, while a square meter cost KZT 740,356 on the resale market and KZT 747,116 in new builds. For typical apartments that means:
| Apartment | Rent per month | Resale purchase price |
|---|---|---|
| One-room, 40 m² | ≈KZT 243,000 (≈USD 550) | ≈KZT 29.6m (≈USD 67,000) |
| Two-room, 60 m² | ≈KZT 365,000 (≈USD 830) | ≈KZT 44.4m (≈USD 101,000) |
| Three-room, 80 m² | ≈KZT 486,000 (≈USD 1,100) | ≈KZT 59.2m (≈USD 134,000) |
Editorial calculation: BNS average prices for August 2026 multiplied by floor area; US dollar equivalents at USD 1 = KZT 440.86 (National Bank, 01.10.2026), rounded. Actual prices depend on the district, building and condition.
Renting a one-room apartment at the average rate takes about 38% of the average Astana salary. Rents are rising much faster than prices overall: nationwide they were up 19.3% year on year in September 2026, against overall inflation of 9.3% (BNS). District prices are in the Astana price index, and renting versus buying is compared in "Renting or a Mortgage in Astana".
Rents in each district as of November 2026: "Astana Rent Prices by District".
What Transport Costs
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bus ride, cashless payment | KZT 110 (≈USD 0.25) |
| Bus ride, cash | KZT 220 (≈USD 0.50) |
| Monthly "City" bus pass | KZT 7,500 (≈USD 17) |
| One-day pass | KZT 500 (≈USD 1.1) |
| LRT ride | KZT 200 (≈USD 0.45) |
Bus fares in effect since August 1, 2024 (Bes.media); passes per Finratings.kz (01.02.2026); LRT per Tengrinews.
Petrol prices rose 10.1% over the year (BNS, September 2026). The first LRT line has been running since May 16, 2026, linking the airport with Nurly Zhol station; its effect on apartment prices is covered in "The LRT in Astana and Apartment Prices".
How Fast Prices Are Rising
| Indicator | Year on year, September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Inflation in Astana | 10.2% |
| Inflation in Kazakhstan | 9.3% |
| Food | +8.5% |
| Non-food goods | +11.0% |
| Paid services | +8.9% |
| Housing rent | +19.3% |
| Housing services, water, electricity and gas | +6.3% |
BNS, "Inflation in the Republic of Kazakhstan", release of 01.10.2026; product and service groups are national figures.
Utility bills depend on floor area, season and meter readings, so there is no single average. Before renting, ask the owner for last winter's bills and check whether utilities are included in the rent. According to the BNS, the "housing services, water, electricity, gas and other fuels" group as a whole rose 6.3% over the year — much slower than rents.
How Much Money You Need to Live in Astana
- Rent is the main expense. A one-room apartment at the average rate costs about KZT 243,000 (≈USD 550) a month; if you own your home, the budget is several times lower.
- Transport costs KZT 7,500 a month with a bus pass; LRT rides are paid separately.
- The floor is the subsistence minimum of KZT 50,851 per person a month. It is the cost of a minimum basket (55% of it food), not a realistic city budget.
- Relative to income, renting a one-room apartment takes about 70% of the national median gross salary (KZT 348,415) and about 38% of the average Astana salary (KZT 647,920).
Planning a move? Start with our guide to moving to Astana — districts, transport and documents for foreigners. If you are thinking of buying, see "How a Foreigner Can Buy Property in Kazakhstan".
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary in Astana in 2026?
According to the BNS, the average gross salary in Astana in Q2 2026 was KZT 647,920 (≈USD 1,470), up 8.3% year on year. The national average was KZT 486,388 and the national median KZT 348,415.
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Astana?
At the average BNS rate for August 2026 (KZT 6,079 per m² a month), a 40 m² one-room apartment costs about KZT 243,000 (≈USD 550) a month and a 60 m² two-room apartment about KZT 365,000 (≈USD 830). Prices vary widely by district and condition.
How much money do you need to live in Astana as a single person?
Housing is the biggest item: renting a one-room apartment costs about KZT 243,000 a month, plus transport (a bus pass is KZT 7,500), food and utilities. The official subsistence minimum is KZT 50,851 a month, but that is a minimum basket rather than a realistic budget.
How much is public transport in Astana?
A bus ride costs KZT 110 with cashless payment and KZT 220 in cash, a monthly "City" pass is KZT 7,500 and an LRT ride is KZT 200.
Are salaries higher in Astana or Almaty?
Average gross salaries are higher in Astana: KZT 647,920 versus KZT 610,371 in Almaty in Q2 2026. On per-capita income, which covers all residents and all income sources, Almaty leads with KZT 427,584 versus KZT 365,451 in Astana.
What is the minimum wage in Kazakhstan in 2026?
KZT 85,000 a month (≈USD 193). The subsistence minimum for 2026 is KZT 50,851 and the monthly calculation index (MCI) is KZT 4,325.
Sources
- BNS, 02.09.2026: employment and wages, Q2 2026 (in Russian) — stat.gov.kz
- BNS, 02.10.2026: per-capita nominal money income, Q2 2026 (in Russian) — stat.gov.kz
- BNS, 28.09.2026: income differentiation indicators, Q2 2026 (in Russian) — stat.gov.kz
- BNS, 01.10.2026: inflation in Kazakhstan, September 2026 (in Russian) — stat.gov.kz
- 24.kz, 09.09.2026: housing and rental prices in August, BNS data (in Russian) — 24.kz
- Mybuh.kz, 09.12.2025: MCI, minimum wage and subsistence minimum for 2026 (in Russian) — mybuh.kz
- Finratings.kz, 01.02.2026: Astana bus fares and passes (in Russian) — finratings.kz
- Bes.media, 22.07.2024: Astana bus fare of KZT 110 from August 1, 2024 (in Russian) — bes.media
- Tengrinews: how to pay for Astana LRT rides (in Russian) — tengrinews.kz
- National Bank of Kazakhstan: official exchange rates — nationalbank.kz