It occurred to me that there are probably many aspects about life in Russia that most westerners are unaware, so I thought I would compile a list to give an insight into income, daily life and the cost of living.

I have used a conversion rate of 60 rubles per $1 AUD and categorized the items.  Prices of goods are those in Kislovodsk.

Income

The cost of any product or service is largely irrelevant unless compared against income.  Kislovodsk is unusual insomuch as prices are very similar to Moscow/St Petersburg yet the average wage in Kislovodsk is significantly lower than those cities at $1,000 per month.  The average monthly income in Moscow or St Petersburg is $1,600+.  Consequently, many in Kislovodsk try to secure some form of second income but even so, that additional income is only supplementary and may amount to another $200 per month, at best.

Fortunately, personal tax rates are low at 13% although it must be said that tax minimization schemes (or outright avoidance) seems to be a national sport in Russia.  The ‘black’ economy is booming.  There is no tax threshold for PAYG employees – tax applies from $1.

Housing

• Real estate purchase and rental prices are high in Kislovodsk and are comparable to Moscow and St Petersburg.  Excluding modern builds, there are two basic types of apartment.  ‘Stalin’ era apartments are noted for their larger floor plans, high ceilings (3m) and ornate cornices, skirting boards and better build.  ‘Brezhnev’ era apartments are the classic ‘square box’ with much lower ceilings (2.2m) with very basic cornices, skirtings and basic construction.  Rent of a typical 2-bedroom (unrenovated) Brezhnev era apartment is approx. $400 per month.  The cheapest apartment I could find in my search was a single room unrenovated bedsit for $220 per month. 

Stalin era and modern apartments are orders of magnitude more expensive, subject to floor size and location.  Stalin era apartments tend to be located much closer to the heart of the city and command significant monthly rental prices that can easily surpass the average monthly wage.  

(Prices are for permanent rental.  Holiday apartment rental rates are substantially higher.)    

• Mortgage interest rates are crushing at around 20% for existing property and 10% for new property.  

• Apartment and stand-alone house purchase prices vary wildly but the smallest unrenovated Brezhnev era apartment costs ~$100k.  You can spend $350k – $1.5m, without difficulty, for a Stalin era apartment or stand-alone house depending on size and location.

• Residential electricity prices are around 6.5c to 7c /kwH.  Residential natural gas is about $3 per month for an average sized apartment with two occupants. 

Food, snacks and sundry

• Milk comes in a bewildering range but a one litre bottle of standard milk is $1.10
• Bread, like milk, comes in a bewildering array of styles but about $1.80 per loaf.
• A dozen eggs is $3.50
• Tomatoes are $2.30 per kilo.
• Potatoes are $1/kilo.
• Apples are $2.80/kilo.
• A jar of Nescafe Gold No. 7 Roast is $3.20
• One litre bottle of orange juice is $2.10
• One litre bottle of cooking oil is $2.40
• Snickers or Mars bars are $0.80c
• Packet of Oreo biscuits is $1.15 (pack is 50% larger than that sold in Australia).
• One kilo bag of fine rice is $2.
• A boysenberry ice cream (similar to a Cornetto) is $1.60
• Block of dark chocolate with almonds (similar to Cadbury Roast Almond block) is $1.30
• A 300gram packet of (delicious) jubes is $1.20
• Excellent quality rump steak is $12/kilo.
• Restaurant prices obviously vary however an a la carte dinner for three in a quality, but not 5-star, restaurant is around $40-50 total including drinks (no alcohol).  A more casual café meal for three persons is $30-40 including drinks (no alcohol).
• A packet of 20 cigarettes is $3.

Alcohol

• A 750ml bottle of the cheapest vodka is about $7.  Most vodka is in the $10-18 range but can go much higher for the finest versions in special presentation bottles.
• A standard 400ml can of local beer is $1.10
• Lowenbrau beer is $1.40
• Johnny Walker Red Label 750ml is $24.  Johnny Walker Black Label 750ml is $31.
• Baileys Irish Cream is $43.
• Jim Beam is $60.
• Dewars White Label is $38.
• Hennessy 500ml Cognac is $80
• Assorted white wines, mostly from South America, but also Italy, were very well represented and typically cost $8-15.   A handful of Australian wines were found with prices ranging from $15-40.   A Hardy’s 2021 Shiraz is $21.  Limited quantities of wines from New Zealand, France, Germany and Spain were also available.

Motor vehicles and fines

• Motor cars are surprisingly expensive – even those manufactured in Russia – considering the average wage.   The most basic (and it is very basic) new Lada is $17,000 or the Lada Vesta station wagon is almost $25,000.  Once you move into better appointed and (non-Chinese) imported cars, the prices rise steeply.  A Mazda CX-5 is $60k or a new Mitsubishi Outlander at about $65k.  The latest Toyota Camry is $84,000 (!).

Despite these prices, most cars on the roads in Kislovodsk, and Syktyvkar, appear less than five years old with a very high percentage being European or Japanese. 

• If your taste goes to something European and more luxurious, you need deep pockets.  A new Mercedes Benz GLS 450 is $365k whilst an Audi RS Q8 is over $400k.  For those with ultra deep pockets who really want to impress the neighbours, a brand new Rolls Royce Spectre is available at $1.5m or, a new Porsche 911 Brabus 900 Rocket R can be had for $2m. 

• Chinese manufactured cars are starting to make their presence felt.  A new top specification Omoda C5, similar in size to a Mazda CX-7, with full leather interior and all the bells and whistles, is $48k.  Lesser specification versions can be purchased for about $31k.  Alternatively, the Geely Monjaro, about the size of a Mazda CX-9, has very similar price points as the Omoda and is exceptionally well fitted out.  The Kaiyi X3, also about the size of a Mazda CX-9, is slightly more expensive at $50k but is the pick of the bunch with quilted leather seats and leather door treatments, Bose sound and a sunroof among other luxury appointments.

• Only one electric vehicle (a Tesla) has been seen in Kislovodsk to date – and it had Moscow number plates.  Goodness knows how it was charged on the journey from Moscow to Kislovodsk as there are no public charging stations.  I am advised that EVs are somewhat more common in Moscow and public charging stations exist.  I will let you know.

• Petrol costs about $.90c/litre for 91 octane and about $1.00/litre for 98 octane and diesel.  Discounting cycles do not seem to happen.

• Drivers and front seat passengers rarely use seatbelts even though local law requires they do so.  To stop the annoying beep-beep alert that a seatbelt is not fastened, drivers will plug the seat belt in and sit on it rather than fasten it over their body.  Rear seat passengers are not required to wear seatbelts. 

• Drivers routinely use their mobile phones (not hands-free type) when driving although this is also illegal.

• Cyclists never wear helmets (although not mandated). 

• One curiosity is the system for fines.  If the speed limit is, say, 60km/h and you are caught speeding, the fine is around $9.  However, if you pay the fine within 20 days, it is halved.  There is no graduated system for 10km/h over; 20 km/h over, etc.

• The police seem very active on the motorways.  The open road speed limit is 130km/h and speeds up to 140km/h are tolerated.  However, beyond that, the fine is $400 (also halved if paid in 20 days).

Entertainment

• If you are looking for thump-thump nightclubs, Kislovodsk is not your city.  Tourists are principally here for the health and wellness facilities offered by the various providers or, are attracted to the hiking, mountain tours and family friendly atmosphere.  Maybe all those things.  In any event, by about 11pm, the streets of Kislovodsk are largely deserted.

• Kislovodsk is known for its vibrant concert scene.  Recent performances, or currently on offer, include Bach, Mozart and Tchaikovsky at the Philharmonic Concert Hall.  A Men’s Choir and other performances by solo singers are either occurring or scheduled.   

• If you still hunger for your nightclub fix, the city of Pyatigorsk (35 minutes by taxi from Kislovodsk) can accommodate you.