Mercer estimates the average cost of living in 144 cites worldwide. It compares prices of over 200 items like food including tobacco and alcohol, clothing, entertainment, going-out, transportation and housing. The survey uses New York as a base city scoring 100 points. In 2007 Moscow received 134 points and was for the second consecutive year the world’s most expensive cities.
St. Petersburg scored at 103 holding the 12th place.
The survey aims to help multinational companies determine salaries for their employees posted abroad. However Mercer only compares prices for luxury goods and services. Especially steep rental costs for foreigners contribute to Moscow’s high rating. But those who don’t buy imported goods in expensive western-style supermarkets, don’t dine out in exclusive restaurants and don’t necessarily need a loge seat in the opera, can enjoy Moscow also on a modest budget.
Moscow tops the list of world's most expensive cites
City | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 |
Moscow | 1 | 1 | 4 |
London | 2 | 5 | 3 |
Seoul | 3 | 2 | 5 |
Tokyo | 4 | 3 | 1 |
Hong Kong | 5 | 4 | 9 |
Copenhagen | 6 | 8 | 8 |
Geneva | 7 | 7 | 6 |
Osaka | 8 | 6 | 2 |
Zürich | 9 | 9 | 7 |
Oslo | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Source: Mercer Human Resources Consulting | |||
How expensive Moscow really is
In the first quarter of 2008, the official subsistence minimum in Moscow was 6.441 roubles per month, so about 176 Euros or 272 US-Dollars. Of course, this sum is calculated for rather poor Russians and can hardly cover basic needs.
Rising world food and oil prices also hit Moscow. In the first four months of 2008, inflation ran at 5.8 percent. At the end of 2007, the average monthly income in Moscow was 23.000 roubles (about 627 Euros or 972 US-Dollars). By 2010, the average salary is expected to rise to 40.000 - 45.000 roubles per month.
Compared to the foreigners, most Russians have an advantage of low-rate living in state apartments. But one still doesn’t have to be a millionaire to afford a trip to Moscow.
Tourists who travel to Moscow and need to pay the hotel naturally have higher expenses. But there are alternatives to 5-star hotels overlooking the Kremlin.
This short overview of Moscow prices shall help you estimate the cost of a trip to the Russian capital.
(Most prices as at June 2008)
Hotel rates in Moscow
In Moscow it is possible to find a hotel for 70 Euros per night in double room. The average hotel rate is about 140 Euros. 4-star hotels in Moscow city centre cost 300 to 500 Euros. A night in a double room in the luxury hotel Ritz-Carlton at the edge of the Red Square cost from about 750 Euros without breakfast.
Fuel prices in Moscow
(as of March, 2010)
Normal petrol (ordinary unleaded 95 RON) – about 23,35 roubles per litre (1.71 Euros or 1.26 US-Dollars)
Currency Converter Rouble/ Euro / Dollar
(100 roubles = 2.72 Euros or 4.24 US-Dollars, as at June 2008)
Getting around in Moscow
Single fair for tram, bus or trolleybus | 24 roubles |
Single fair for the Moscow metro | 26 roubles |
Metro-card for up to 5 journeys | 125 roubles |
Metro-card for up to 10 journeys | 240 roubles |
Metro-card for 30 days | 1,480 roubles |
Monthly pass for all means of public transportation (tram, bus, trolleybus and Metro) | 2,140 roubles |
From Moscow with love
Within Russia | International Airmail | |
Postcard | 5.50 roubles | 19.00 roubles |
Letter (under 20 g) | 7.50 roubles | 22.50 roubles |
Letter (registered mail) | 12.00 roubles | 63.90 roubles |
Food prices in Moscow
Also in Moscow people have to cope with a sharp increase in food costs. At the end of May 2008, the basic food package in Moscow officially cost 2421.8 roubles (66 Euros or 102 US-Dollars). So since the beginning of 2008, food prices rose 18.3 percent. One had to pay more especially for sugar, corn (and as a result for bread, pasta and bakery products), rice and vegetables (cabbage, carrot, potato and beetroot).
A loaf of bread cost in Moscow 8-9 roubles (0.21 Euros or 0.34 US-Dollar).
Eating out at a (fast-food) reastaurant
Pizza - from 140 roubles
Big Mac - 52 roubles
Main dish - from 150 roubles
Dessert (for example, a piece of cake) - from 65 roubles
Soft Drinks:
Water - from 25 roubles
Fruit Juice (250 ml) - from 60 roubles
Cola, etc. (0,33 l) - from 22 roubles
Kvass (0,5 l) - 36 roubles
(Kvass is a popular Russian drink made of bread)
Alcohol Drinks:
Russian beer (0,5 l) - from 55 roubles
Imported beer (0,33 l) - from 65 roubles
Glass of Red or White Wine - from 150 roubles
Vodka (50 ml) - from 65 roubles
Martini (100 ml) - from 130 roubles
Cocktails - from 190 roubles
Hot drinks:
Espresso - from 65 roubles
Cappuccino - from 100 roubles
Tea - from 30 roubles
Most restaurants in Moscow accept international credit cards American express, Master / Eurocard and Visa.
Clubs in Moscow
Tickets: In most clubs in Moscow one has to pay an entrance fee on Fridays, Saturdays and concert days from about 100 roubles. Women often enter for free or pay a lower price. Most clubs have face control.
Museums and Theatres in Moscow
The Moscow Kremlin
The Bolshoi Theather
Official ticket prices range from 40 to 1,200.- roubles.
The Old Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
A ticket for the popular Moscow Circus named after Nikulin cost from 250 to 1.500,- roubles. The old circus house is situated in the street Zvetnoy Bulvar 13 and offers classic circus shows.
Cinema
30 to 250 roubles depending on the cinema and day time.
Every effort has been made to ensure the information given on this website is accurate. Nevertheless no responsibility can be taken for data accuracy.
