Kyrgyzstan is located in Central Asia's heart, boasting beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality. But for budget travelers, culture enthusiasts, and digital nomads alike, one question often arises: Is Kyrgyzstan expensive?
In this guide, I'll share the cost of traveling in Kyrgyzstan, from accommodation and transportation to food and activities, providing the insights you need to plan your adventure in this beautiful country. Before I packed my two bags and flew from Seoul, South Korea to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to work remotely for a year and a half and be with my boyfriend, he reassured me that living in Kyrgyzstan is not expensive. But, I will say this depends on a lot of factors.
Hopefully, by the end of this guide, you'll have a better understanding of how to budget your trip or life in Kyrgyzstan.
LIVING IN BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN
About Myself
I've lived in Toronto, Canada my entire life and had stunts in Germany, the United States and South Korea. In the U.S., I lived in Portland, Oregon, and New York City, one of the cities with the highest cost of living in the world. Having lived in North America and knowing how "expensive" life can be, I can easily say that Kyrgyzstan is not expensive. I'm used to spending over $2000.00 US Dollars on rent and $8.00 US Dollars on a matcha latte alone.
The reason why I'm saying this is because based on my experiences, Kyrgyzstan is not expensive. However, if you were to ask a local, they can say that the cost of living in Kyrgyzstan is high.
Salary
This is purely my opinion, but I would say that earning a minimum of USD 1,500.00 a month will allow a household of one to live comfortably in Bishkek. That will be enough to live in a 1-bedroom apartment by yourself, eat meals at restaurants, and sustain your lifestyle. The average monthly wage in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan is USD 500.00 and if you are hoping to earn more than that, the best chance is for you to be a digital nomad or get a job as an international school teacher. I've seen friends of mine who are software engineers for local tech companies and are earning approximately USD 700.00 to USD 1,500.00.
Accommodation
My boyfriend and I lived in a one-bedroom apartment and according to locals, you can easily find an apartment where the monthly rent ranges from USD 250.00 to USD 400.00. However, with the increased cost of living, the monthly rent has significantly increased. Now, you can expect to pay a monthly rent of USD 400.00 to USD 700.00. We moved to Bishkek in July 2022 and paid USD 700.00 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Our apartment is completely renovated with a modern interior design. I loved our apartment which was around 100 sq. m and for USD 700.00, that's an absolute upgrade compared to the shoebox I lived in New York.
One thing I noticed was that prices differ by the area you are living in. We lived in the Southern District which is further from the city center, has cleaner air, and is closer to the American University of Central Asia and international schools. I noticed that apartments in the Southern District are more modern, new and, therefore more expensive.
I dive deeper into how you can find an apartment in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan here.
Food
Kyrgyz cuisine is hearty and most importantly affordable. Street food like samsas, which are like meat pastries and personally my favorite, can cost upwards of USD 2.00 and doners too. They are both great for a cheap and tasty snack on the go.
A hearty meal at a local cafe or restaurant can cost between USD 3.00 to USD 5.00 per dish. At this price, you can order more traditional dishes such as plov, lagman, and manti.
If you go to nicer cafes that sell Western-style dishes, you can expect to pay USD 25 to USD 30. The most expensive meal I had in Bishkek was when we went to IWA Roof Bar and Restaurant, located in the Sheraton Hotel for our anniversary. We ordered a few cocktails, main dishes, and it totaled up to USD 120.00 for two people.
When my boyfriend and I first came to Bishkek, we took advantage of the lower costs by eating out at restaurants every day. We quickly realized that the costs add up and switched to eating out once or twice a week.
Groceries
For those who prefer to cook, local markets and supermarkets offer fresh produce, meat at low prices, allowing you to prepare your own meals for even less. I recommend everyone to go to their local bazaar to do their grocery shopping, rather than the major supermarkets.
Prices are cheap! A large watermelon and a kilogram of wild-grown strawberries would cost a few dollars. I'm crying as I write this because, in Toronto, I've just paid USD 5.00 for a small packet of raspberries.
My Expenses
You may be wondering what my largest expenses were and I'll break it down:
Personal Care
Gym: I purchased a one-year membership at Avangard Gym, the most expensive in Bishkek. It cost approximately USD 1,300.00. It was right beside our apartment so it was a natural choice for me and it was extremely clean with the latest gym equipment. You can learn more about the gyms and fitness centers and their prices here.
Massage: I pampered myself with a weekly 90-minute lymphatic massage and it cost around USD 26. You can't find prices like that elsewhere, so you bet I took advantage of it.
Groceries:
International foods: I like to cook at home and tend to shop at international grocery stores. Prices for these products tend to be more expensive.
There are a few non-negotiables I have and one of them is I only buy the highest-quality eggs from a local farm. They are a bit more expensive than the eggs you find in grocery stores.
Kyrgyzstan is generally considered an affordable travel destination, especially compared to Western Europe or North America. I hope my post provided you with more insights. With careful planning, you can enjoy Kyrgyzstan without compromising your wallet. I hope you have the chance to visit this majestic country!
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