⚖️ City comparison

Almaty vs Astana

Two cities in Kazakhstan, compared on what matters when you move from the US: cost, weather, safety, internet and how easy it is to stay.

The short version

Astana is 21% cheaper: $1,212 vs $1,542 a month all-in for one person.
Rent is lower in Astana: $600 vs $810 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
Almaty has more pleasant weather: 6 pleasant months a year vs 5.
Almaty is warmer: highs average 11°F more across the year (coldest-month high 34°F vs 17°F in Astana; hottest 88°F vs 81°F).
Residents rate Astana safer: a safety index of 67 vs 47 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
The air is cleaner in Astana: PM2.5 of 16.8 vs 22.8 µg/m³ a year.
Same country, same visa and tax rules: the Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1) → operational since 2025 covers both.

Measure	🇰🇿 Almaty	🇰🇿 Astana
⭐ Fit score (default weights)	60	70
💰 All-in / month	$1,542	$1,212
🏠 1BR rent, centre	$810	$600
🛒 Living costs, no rent	$732	$612
☀️ Pleasant months	6	5
🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month	34–88°F	17–81°F
🛡️ Safety	47/100 (residents)	67/100 (residents)
📶 Internet, median download	169 Mbps	181 Mbps
🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year	22.8 µg/m³	16.8 µg/m³
🗣️ English	Very low (EF)	Very low (EF)
🏥 Healthcare access (WHO)	Very high	Very high
👩 Women's safety & rights	Moderate	Moderate
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ equality	Very low	Very low
✈️ Flight to the US (est.)	~12.5h to Seattle	~11.5h to Seattle
🕘 US work-hour overlap	0 h	0 h
🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport)	30 days	30 days
🛂 Nomad visa	Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1) → operational since 2025	Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1) → operational since 2025
🧾 Tax if resident	🟡 Moderate · Worldwide income, top 10%	🟡 Moderate · Worldwide income, top 10%

🇰🇿 Almaty

4 best months

🇰🇿 Astana

3 best months

Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Almaty climate · Astana climate.

Data last updated September 7, 2026 · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research