Cost of Living: Kazakhstan vs Japan

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Kazakhstan and Japan.

Data updated: September 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Kazakhstan is 34.1% cheaper than Japan. The biggest difference is in Property Prices, where costs are 78.1% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in Japan, you would spend about $66 in Kazakhstan for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Property Prices 78.1%

Kazakhstan is 78.1% cheaper

Salaries And Financing 74.2%

Kazakhstan is 74.2% cheaper

Household Utilities 68.1%

Kazakhstan is 68.1% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 34.1%

Kazakhstan is 34.1% cheaper than Japan

Most Expensive Categories

  • Clothing And Shoes +26.5%
  • Transportation +14.0%

Is Kazakhstan cheaper than Japan?

Yes, Kazakhstan is cheaper than Japan

Overall, living costs in Kazakhstan are 34.1% lower than in Japan.

Where Kazakhstan is cheaper:

  • Property Prices 78.1% cheaper
  • Salaries And Financing 74.2% cheaper
  • Household Utilities 68.1% cheaper

Where Kazakhstan is more expensive:

  • Clothing And Shoes 26.5% more expensive
  • Transportation 14.0% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Kazakhstan: 7.85 $ Japan: 7.01 $
12.0% more expensive in Kazakhstan

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Kazakhstan: 463.30 $ Japan: 624.64 $
25.8% cheaper in Kazakhstan

Monthly public transport pass

Kazakhstan: 14.71 $ Japan: 58.97 $
75.1% cheaper in Kazakhstan

1 liter of milk

Kazakhstan: 1.12 $ Japan: 1.56 $
28.2% cheaper in Kazakhstan

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Kazakhstan is indeed cheaper than Japan. You would save approximately 34.1% on living expenses by choosing Kazakhstan over Japan. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

34.1%

Kazakhstan is 34.1% cheaper than Japan

Restaurants

21.8%

Kazakhstan is 21.8% cheaper than Japan in this category

Markets

63.5%

Kazakhstan is 63.5% cheaper than Japan in this category

Other Expenses

53.3%

Kazakhstan is 53.3% cheaper than Japan in this category

Transportation

14.0%

Kazakhstan is 14.0% more expensive than Japan in this category

Household Utilities

68.1%

Kazakhstan is 68.1% cheaper than Japan in this category

Mobile and Internet

64.8%

Kazakhstan is 64.8% cheaper than Japan in this category

Sports And Leisure

28.1%

Kazakhstan is 28.1% cheaper than Japan in this category

Childcare

46.0%

Kazakhstan is 46.0% cheaper than Japan in this category

Clothing And Shoes

26.5%

Kazakhstan is 26.5% more expensive than Japan in this category

Rent Per Month

30.1%

Kazakhstan is 30.1% cheaper than Japan in this category

Property Prices

78.1%

Kazakhstan is 78.1% cheaper than Japan in this category

Salaries And Financing

74.2%

Kazakhstan is 74.2% cheaper than Japan in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Kazakhstan Japan Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 7.85 $ 7.01 $ 12.0%
Kazakhstan is 12.0% more expensive
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 29.42 $ 35.03 $ 16.0%
Kazakhstan is 16.0% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 6.47 $ 5.61 $ 15.3%
Kazakhstan is 15.3% more expensive
Regular Cappuccino 2.10 $ 3.36 $ 37.5%
Kazakhstan is 37.5% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 0.92 $ 1.12 $ 17.9%
Kazakhstan is 17.9% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 0.52 $ 0.82 $ 36.6%
Kazakhstan is 36.6% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.73 $ 0.94 $ 22.3%
Kazakhstan is 22.3% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml) 1.14 $ 2.32 $ 50.9%
Kazakhstan is 50.9% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 2.87 $ 8.42 $ 65.9%
Kazakhstan is 65.9% cheaper
Mid-Range Wine 7.72 $ 11.20 $ 31.1%
Kazakhstan is 31.1% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 1.14 $ 2.04 $ 44.1%
Kazakhstan is 44.1% cheaper
Milk (1L) 1.12 $ 1.56 $ 28.2%
Kazakhstan is 28.2% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 0.46 $ 1.59 $ 71.1%
Kazakhstan is 71.1% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 1.45 $ 4.51 $ 67.8%
Kazakhstan is 67.8% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 1.63 $ 2.24 $ 27.2%
Kazakhstan is 27.2% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 9.05 $ 12.14 $ 25.5%
Kazakhstan is 25.5% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 4.65 $ 6.92 $ 32.8%
Kazakhstan is 32.8% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 5.03 $ 17.18 $ 70.7%
Kazakhstan is 70.7% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 1.29 $ 5.37 $ 76.0%
Kazakhstan is 76.0% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 1.91 $ 2.62 $ 27.1%
Kazakhstan is 27.1% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 2.00 $ 4.78 $ 58.2%
Kazakhstan is 58.2% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 1.98 $ 4.84 $ 59.1%
Kazakhstan is 59.1% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 0.58 $ 2.85 $ 79.6%
Kazakhstan is 79.6% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 0.40 $ 2.65 $ 84.9%
Kazakhstan is 84.9% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 1.09 $ 1.39 $ 21.6%
Kazakhstan is 21.6% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 14.71 $ 58.97 $ 75.1%
Kazakhstan is 75.1% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 1.96 $ 4.20 $ 53.3%
Kazakhstan is 53.3% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 0.22 $ 1.54 $ 85.7%
Kazakhstan is 85.7% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 1.18 $ 4.20 $ 71.9%
Kazakhstan is 71.9% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 0.78 $ 3.15 $ 75.2%
Kazakhstan is 75.2% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 4.71 $ 23.82 $ 80.2%
Kazakhstan is 80.2% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 0.48 $ 1.22 $ 60.7%
Kazakhstan is 60.7% cheaper
New Economy Car 21,576.72 $ 23,415.29 $ 7.9%
Kazakhstan is 7.9% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 25,627.75 $ 17,953.06 $ 42.7%
Kazakhstan is 42.7% more expensive
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 57.09 $ 178.92 $ 68.1%
Kazakhstan is 68.1% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 8.79 $ 27.25 $ 67.7%
Kazakhstan is 67.7% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 13.34 $ 35.66 $ 62.6%
Kazakhstan is 62.6% cheaper
Gym Membership 42.84 $ 60.05 $ 28.7%
Kazakhstan is 28.7% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 16.28 $ 15.69 $ 3.8%
Kazakhstan is 3.8% more expensive
Movie Ticket 4.90 $ 13.31 $ 63.2%
Kazakhstan is 63.2% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 242.07 $ 348.57 $ 30.6%
Kazakhstan is 30.6% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 7,244.55 $ 13,519.03 $ 46.4%
Kazakhstan is 46.4% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 64.91 $ 49.02 $ 32.4%
Kazakhstan is 32.4% more expensive
1 Summer Dress 42.02 $ 32.77 $ 28.2%
Kazakhstan is 28.2% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 90.69 $ 63.16 $ 43.6%
Kazakhstan is 43.6% more expensive
1 Pair of Business Shoes 96.83 $ 87.75 $ 10.3%
Kazakhstan is 10.3% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 463.30 $ 624.64 $ 25.8%
Kazakhstan is 25.8% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 305.33 $ 424.63 $ 28.1%
Kazakhstan is 28.1% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 887.17 $ 1,366.33 $ 35.1%
Kazakhstan is 35.1% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 609.38 $ 825.90 $ 26.2%
Kazakhstan is 26.2% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 1,285.61 $ 6,447.80 $ 80.1%
Kazakhstan is 80.1% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 905.32 $ 3,555.73 $ 74.5%
Kazakhstan is 74.5% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 544.03 $ 2,177.14 $ 75.0%
Kazakhstan is 75.0% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 17.93 1.82 885.2%
Kazakhstan is 885.2% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Japan. Enter your monthly expenses in Kazakhstan to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Kazakhstan and Japan goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Kazakhstan vs Japan

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Kazakhstan

Japan

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.
  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in Kazakhstan Cost of living in Japan

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