Economic Factors and Advantages/Disadvantages of Astana's Economy

Higher Salaries and Expensive Housing: A Look at Life in Astana, Kazakhstan's Capital

Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, is a popular destination for internal migration due to its higher-paying jobs and better career prospects. While exact average monthly salary figures in Astana are not specifically broken out in the given data, the city offers salaries that are generally higher than the national average, attracting many internal migrants seeking higher wages.

According to national data, the average monthly nominal salary in early 2025 is approximately 275,597 tenge net (after tax) at the national level, with regional variation. For example, in the oil-rich Atyrau region, average nominal wages in Q1 2025 were around 634,234 tenge gross, showing higher salaries in resource-rich regions compared to the national average.

When it comes to housing costs, Astana's apartment prices are not separately detailed in the results, but Kazakhstan-wide estimates indicate that the price per square foot to buy an apartment in city centers averages about 60,224 tenge. For a 3-bedroom apartment in a city center, the price averages around 447,000 tenge monthly rent equivalent or purchase equivalent.

While Astana's housing costs are higher than many regional cities, they are likely lower than very resource-rich cities like Atyrau or Almaty. Food prices in Astana are not the lowest, with 14 out of 19 socially significant food items being more expensive in the capital than the average in large cities of Kazakhstan.

Despite the higher cost of living, Astana offers better-paying jobs and a higher standard of living compared to many other Kazakh regions, which aligns with internal migration trends. For the most precise current local data in Astana vs. other cities, further localized statistical sources or real estate market reports would be required.

Summary Comparison

| Aspect | Astana (Capital) | Other Major Cities (e.g., Atyrau) | National Average (Kazakhstan) | |------------------------|--------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | Average Monthly Salary | Higher than average, attracting many internal migrants[4], likely around or slightly above national average ~275,000 tenge net[2], possibly near Atyrau levels (~634,000 tenge gross)[1] | Atyrau region salary approx. 634,234 tenge gross in Q1 2025 (higher due to oil industry)[1] | ~275,597 tenge net average salary[2] | | Housing Costs (purchase) | Higher than many regional cities but less than oil cities; approx. 60,224 tenge per sq ft in city centers Kazakhstan-wide[2] | Not specifically given; Atyrau housing prices expected higher due to oil industry influence | Average 60,224 tenge per sq ft city center[2] |

Further Insights

Astana's share in the country's GDP was 15.5 trillion tenge, and its GRP per capita is not in the top three, placing it behind Atyrau region, Almaty, and Ulytau region.
Residents of Astana allocate 46.1% of their average monthly salary for housing, a larger portion compared to other cities like Almaty (54.4%) and Shymkent (60.3%).
The mining and quarrying industry and the information and communication sector also have high salaries in Astana (981,300 tenge and 824,600 tenge, respectively).
It takes at least 55 average monthly salaries, or 4.5 years of work with a salary of 538,000 tenge, to buy an apartment without a bank loan in Astana.
The rapid increase in Astana's population has driven up housing costs, making it the city with the most expensive housing, with costs per square meter reaching 595,500 tenge in new buildings and 649,800 tenge on the secondary market.
The average rent for a 50 sq.m. fully equipped apartment in Astana approached 248,000 tenge last year, making it one of three cities with an average rent over 200,000 tenge.
The highest salary by sector in Astana is among financiers and insurers (1,200,000 tenge).
Many food items in Astana have seen higher growth rates in terms of annual consumer price indices compared to the average in large cities.
The quality of life for Astana residents is affected by many unresolved issues and negative indicators.
The average salary in Astana for the first quarter of this year is 538,000 tenge.
Both cities were categorized as regional leaders, developing better than other cities in Kazakhstan, but lagging behind the largest megacities in the world.
The share of spending on food in Astana is high, with residents spending 52% of total consumer spending on food, or 181,600 tenge per person in the first quarter of this year.
In half of the key food items, the price increase was higher in Astana compared to the average in large cities.
Astana lagged behind Almaty in terms of quality of life and human capital, but had better indicators in economic development and environmental conditions.
The average cost of a small 50 sq.m. apartment in a new building in Astana last year was 29,800,000 tenge, making it the most expensive among major cities in Kazakhstan.
Astana ranked 276th and Almaty 258th out of a thousand cities in the Global City Rating 2025.
Almaty had a larger share in the country's GDP compared to Astana, with a share of 21.8% and 29.2 trillion tenge, respectively.

In the context of higher salaries and better career prospects found in Astana, it's plausible for finance professionals to thrive, given that the city is home to the highest salary by sector, with financiers and insurers earning approximately 1,200,000 tenge. Interestingly, housing costs for a 3-bedroom apartment in a city center average around 447,000 tenge monthly rent or purchase equivalent, indicating that while Astana offers attractive salaries, adequate financing might still be necessary for securing housing.