Cost of Living: Russia vs Australia

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Russia and Australia.

Data updated: September 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Russia is 56.5% cheaper than Australia. The biggest difference is in Other Expenses, where costs are 90.3% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in Australia, you would spend about $44 in Russia for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Other Expenses 90.3%

Russia is 90.3% cheaper

Mobile and Internet 82.1%

Russia is 82.1% cheaper

Salaries And Financing 76.2%

Russia is 76.2% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 56.5%

Russia is 56.5% cheaper than Australia

Most Expensive Categories

  • Transportation +41.7%
  • Clothing And Shoes +5.7%

Is Russia cheaper than Australia?

Yes, Russia is cheaper than Australia

Overall, living costs in Russia are 56.5% lower than in Australia.

Where Russia is cheaper:

  • Other Expenses 90.3% cheaper
  • Mobile and Internet 82.1% cheaper
  • Salaries And Financing 76.2% cheaper

Where Russia is more expensive:

  • Transportation 41.7% more expensive
  • Clothing And Shoes 5.7% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Russia: 10.03 $ Australia: 16.22 $
38.2% cheaper in Russia

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Russia: 596.28 $ Australia: 1,381.57 $
56.8% cheaper in Russia

Monthly public transport pass

Russia: 35.99 $ Australia: 97.35 $
63.0% cheaper in Russia

1 liter of milk

Russia: 1.17 $ Australia: 1.53 $
23.5% cheaper in Russia

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Russia is indeed cheaper than Australia. You would save approximately 56.5% on living expenses by choosing Russia over Australia. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

56.5%

Russia is 56.5% cheaper than Australia

Restaurants

35.9%

Russia is 35.9% cheaper than Australia in this category

Markets

54.3%

Russia is 54.3% cheaper than Australia in this category

Other Expenses

90.3%

Russia is 90.3% cheaper than Australia in this category

Transportation

41.7%

Russia is 41.7% more expensive than Australia in this category

Household Utilities

31.1%

Russia is 31.1% cheaper than Australia in this category

Mobile and Internet

82.1%

Russia is 82.1% cheaper than Australia in this category

Sports And Leisure

14.7%

Russia is 14.7% cheaper than Australia in this category

Childcare

34.0%

Russia is 34.0% cheaper than Australia in this category

Clothing And Shoes

5.7%

Russia is 5.7% more expensive than Australia in this category

Rent Per Month

54.5%

Russia is 54.5% cheaper than Australia in this category

Property Prices

55.4%

Russia is 55.4% cheaper than Australia in this category

Salaries And Financing

76.2%

Russia is 76.2% cheaper than Australia in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Russia Australia Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 10.03 $ 16.22 $ 38.2%
Russia is 38.2% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 43.89 $ 77.88 $ 43.6%
Russia is 43.6% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 6.27 $ 9.73 $ 35.6%
Russia is 35.6% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 2.57 $ 3.48 $ 26.1%
Russia is 26.1% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 1.16 $ 2.62 $ 55.7%
Russia is 55.7% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 0.54 $ 2.16 $ 75.0%
Russia is 75.0% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.70 $ 1.51 $ 53.6%
Russia is 53.6% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml) 2.60 $ 5.69 $ 54.3%
Russia is 54.3% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 2.52 $ 1.29 $ 95.3%
Russia is 95.3% more expensive
Mid-Range Wine 11.97 $ 7.97 $ 50.2%
Russia is 50.2% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 1.10 $ 1.43 $ 23.1%
Russia is 23.1% cheaper
Milk (1L) 1.17 $ 1.53 $ 23.5%
Russia is 23.5% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 0.71 $ 2.45 $ 71.0%
Russia is 71.0% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 1.48 $ 2.05 $ 27.8%
Russia is 27.8% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 1.80 $ 4.31 $ 58.2%
Russia is 58.2% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 11.06 $ 8.89 $ 24.4%
Russia is 24.4% more expensive
Chicken Breast (1kg) 5.19 $ 8.44 $ 38.5%
Russia is 38.5% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 3.46 $ 13.88 $ 75.1%
Russia is 75.1% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 1.79 $ 3.19 $ 43.9%
Russia is 43.9% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 1.88 $ 2.75 $ 31.6%
Russia is 31.6% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 2.08 $ 2.93 $ 29.0%
Russia is 29.0% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 3.13 $ 4.30 $ 27.2%
Russia is 27.2% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 0.85 $ 2.47 $ 65.6%
Russia is 65.6% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 0.70 $ 2.14 $ 67.3%
Russia is 67.3% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 1.38 $ 2.22 $ 37.8%
Russia is 37.8% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 35.99 $ 97.35 $ 63.0%
Russia is 63.0% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 3.01 $ 31.15 $ 90.3%
Russia is 90.3% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 0.50 $ 2.92 $ 82.9%
Russia is 82.9% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 2.45 $ 3.89 $ 37.0%
Russia is 37.0% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 0.44 $ 1.88 $ 76.6%
Russia is 76.6% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 6.27 $ 37.90 $ 83.5%
Russia is 83.5% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 0.75 $ 1.18 $ 36.4%
Russia is 36.4% cheaper
New Economy Car 37,617.06 $ 28,829.12 $ 30.5%
Russia is 30.5% more expensive
New Mid-Range Car 35,397.50 $ 22,658.59 $ 56.2%
Russia is 56.2% more expensive
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 121.22 $ 175.90 $ 31.1%
Russia is 31.1% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 6.42 $ 26.66 $ 75.9%
Russia is 75.9% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 7.80 $ 52.98 $ 85.3%
Russia is 85.3% cheaper
Gym Membership 39.99 $ 47.43 $ 15.7%
Russia is 15.7% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 21.19 $ 16.59 $ 27.7%
Russia is 27.7% more expensive
Movie Ticket 5.64 $ 14.28 $ 60.5%
Russia is 60.5% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 404.02 $ 1,570.69 $ 74.3%
Russia is 74.3% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 8,784.78 $ 12,354.33 $ 28.9%
Russia is 28.9% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 79.55 $ 71.57 $ 11.1%
Russia is 11.1% more expensive
1 Summer Dress 45.42 $ 50.87 $ 10.7%
Russia is 10.7% cheaper
1 Pair of Running Shoes 114.74 $ 102.13 $ 12.3%
Russia is 12.3% more expensive
1 Pair of Business Shoes 113.59 $ 109.73 $ 3.5%
Russia is 3.5% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 596.28 $ 1,381.57 $ 56.8%
Russia is 56.8% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 397.04 $ 1,095.96 $ 63.8%
Russia is 63.8% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,207.81 $ 2,332.99 $ 48.2%
Russia is 48.2% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 773.15 $ 1,729.44 $ 55.3%
Russia is 55.3% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 3,184.22 $ 6,794.53 $ 53.1%
Russia is 53.1% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 2,109.11 $ 5,084.33 $ 58.5%
Russia is 58.5% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 848.13 $ 3,619.71 $ 76.6%
Russia is 76.6% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 16.65 6.35 162.2%
Russia is 162.2% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Australia. Enter your monthly expenses in Russia 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 Russia and Australia 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 Russia vs Australia

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

Cultural Cost Differences

Russia

Australia

  • 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 Russia Cost of living in Australia

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