The Real Cost of Living in Kazakhstan for International Students

Whenever I write "affordable" about a country, someone in the comments asks "affordable for whom?" Fair question. Affordable on a Lagos salary and affordable on an Oslo salary are not the same conversation.

So let's drop the abstractions. Here is what life actually costs for a foreign student in Kazakhstan in 2026, item by item.

The big number first

If you spend carefully, your monthly cost of living as an international student — outside tuition — runs between USD 350 and USD 600. The lower end is a dormitory-based student in Shymkent. The upper end is a private studio in central Astana with takeaway lunches.

Tuition is on top of that. Public universities charge USD 1,500–5,000 per year, the well-regarded English-medium programs USD 3,500–7,000. Most students pay roughly half of what they would in Turkey, a third of Poland, and a fifth of Germany once you include rent.

Rent: the largest single line

Dormitory (most affordable)

State universities offer dormitory rooms to international scholarship holders for roughly USD 20–50 per month. Yes, you read that correctly. The rooms are simple — twin or triple occupancy, shared kitchen and bathrooms — but they exist on or near campus and the lights stay on.

Private rental

A one-bedroom flat near a metro station in Almaty costs USD 250–400 per month in 2026. In Astana, expect USD 200–350 outside the Esil river embankment. In Shymkent, you can find a comfortable studio for USD 150–250.

Shared flats with one or two other students cut these numbers by 40–50%. Most platforms are still in Russian — krisha.kz, olx.kz, instagram landlord accounts — so leaning on a local friend or your university's student council saves a lot of time.

Food: cheaper than you expect, especially the local kind

A simple lunch in a university canteen costs USD 2–3. A sit-down meal at a casual restaurant runs USD 4–8. Grocery shopping for a week of home cooking is roughly USD 25–35 per person if you stay close to local brands.

Sample weekly grocery basket

• Bread, two loaves: USD 1.50
• Eggs (10): USD 1.50
• Chicken (1 kg): USD 3.50
• Beef mince (500 g): USD 4.00
• Rice (2 kg): USD 3.00
• Vegetables for soups and salads: USD 6.00
• Fruit (apples, mandarins, bananas): USD 4.00
• Milk, yoghurt, cheese: USD 6.00
• Tea, coffee, snacks: USD 3.00

That is a complete student week for under USD 35. Add a couple of restaurant lunches and you are still inside USD 50.

Transport: ridiculously affordable

Monthly public transport passes cost roughly USD 15 in both Almaty and Astana. The Almaty metro has a single line but it is fast, modern and unfailingly punctual. Taxis through Yandex Go cost USD 1–3 for short rides within the city — students from Western countries often laugh out loud the first time they pay.

Mobile, internet and bills

• Prepaid mobile + data plan: USD 5–8 per month
• Home internet (Beeline, Tele2 fibre): USD 10–15 per month
• Electricity, water, heating in a private flat: USD 20–40 per month, more in winter

Entertainment and small treats

• Cinema ticket: USD 4–6
• Cup of coffee in a nice café: USD 2–3
• Gym membership: USD 25–35 per month
• Concert ticket (local artists): USD 10–25
• Weekend trip to Charyn Canyon or Borovoe: USD 30–60 with friends

A realistic monthly budget — three scenarios

Item

Tight (USD)

Comfortable (USD)

Generous (USD)

Rent (dorm vs shared vs private)

30

180

320

Groceries + canteen meals

140

180

230

Eating out

20

60

120

Public transport

15

20

35

Phone + internet

10

15

20

Entertainment

20

60

120

Toiletries, laundry, misc.

15

25

40

Monthly total

≈ 250

≈ 540

≈ 885

Hidden costs that show up later

• Annual visa renewal: roughly USD 60–120
• Annual health insurance top-up: USD 80–150
• Winter clothing in year one: USD 200–400 if you are coming from a warm country
• Domestic flight home for Eid or Christmas: USD 250–400
• Textbooks (if not provided by university): USD 50–100 per semester

That winter clothing line is not optional. The Astana winter touches –35°C. A serious coat is a survival tool, not a fashion choice.

Final note — and one piece of advice

Open a Kazakhstani bank account during your first month. Halyk, Kaspi and Forte have student-friendly options and the Kaspi app in particular runs an enormous chunk of the country's daily life — paying utilities, transferring rent to your landlord, buying groceries. International cards work, but local accounts save real money on fees over four years.

Kazakhstan is one of the few places where a careful student can save while studying. Not many countries can say the same in 2026.

Official applications and resources

All international study applications and accredited programme listings in Kazakhstan are coordinated through the official portal of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan: studyinkz.kz.

studyinkz.kz is the single authoritative source for accredited universities, current scholarship deadlines, foreign branch campus admissions and the official invitation letter required for the C9 student visa. Apply through any other channel only after verifying that your programme is listed on studyinkz.kz.