Cost of Living in Russia

Cost of Living in Russia

Russia, with the largest land mass of any country on earth, is home to a wide variety of cities, climates, landscapes, and cultures across its many timezones. Spanning the continents of Asia and Europe and touching the Pacific Ocean to the east and Arctic Sea to the north, the country is home to just shy of 150 million citizens, most of whom live in more densely populated cities such as Moscow or Saint Petersburg.

With history around every corner, students venturing to the massive nation will have no trouble learning about the history and culture of Russia everywhere they look. From natural parks and beautiful architecture to historical relics and religious edifices, Russia offers students from all backgrounds the opportunity to explore and learn both within and outside of the classroom.

Russia operates economically using the Russian Ruble. Compared to the US Dollar, the Ruble is incredible weak – in fact, almost 60 RUB equates to a single US Dollar. This spells out good new for those studying on a budget, who will be able to stretch their savings significantly further in Russia than in other western countries without adhering to a lower quality of life.

So, what exactly should students in the country expect to spend? On average, here is what you should plan for:

One Year of Study in Russia:

Studying in Russia is provides students with a high-quality, but very affordable academic option for many students. The country is home to a wide array of universities, colleges, and institutions that offer programs to students both domestic and international. Regardless of your area of interest, you can be sure that Russia has something to offer at an affordable rate.

Depending on your field of study, tuition ranges from 2,000 to 8,000 USD annually, with added costs such as room and board and books ranging from 1,500 to 5,000 USD a year, depending on your chosen location.

Overall Cost of Living in Russia:

Russia is currently ranked number 75 in a list of the highest cost of living on the planet. This is, of course, relatively low, meaning that students looking to study in the country will be able to stretch their savings further here than in other top destinations. The country’s major cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg fall at numbers 351 and 381, respectively. Students in urban and suburban settings, alike, will experience a high quality of life for a low cost of living.

Rent in most major cities can cost an average of $550 for a 1-bedroom apartment, with basic utilities coming in at around $95 a month, depending on which season it is. Food is known to be incredibly inexpensive, as is nightlife.

For a quick list of what to expect when living Russia, see the chart below: