Jilin vs Kostanay (Kustanay)
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Jilin is approximately 75% less expensive than Kostanay (Kustanay) based on cost of living including rent. This makes Jilin a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Jilin has a FIRE Score of 81/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 65, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Jilin is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
Side by side
Best in rowChina
Jilin
Kazakhstan
Kostanay (Kustanay)
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Jilin
Jilin is a cheap place to live, with a 1-bedroom in the center at $300/mo and a monthly public transport pass at $7/mo, but the average local net salary of $447/mo means most residents are not the ones paying those rents comfortably. The expat scores are strong on paper, 81/100 overall and 83/100 for FIRE, yet the retiree score of 53/100 and a very few expat community make it a lonely bet for anyone past working age. Air quality at 78 and limited English round out a picture of a city that rewards self-sufficiency and a high tolerance for gray skies. Come for the low costs and the Fengman District, not for the company.
About China
China works for remote workers and business expats fluent in navigating bureaucracy, not retirees seeking an easy landing. Rent outside the city center averages just $238.5/mo, backing the low COL index of 30.7. But with no retirement visa, no digital nomad visa, and an advisory level of 2, getting legal footing here is the real obstacle, not the budget.
Jilin costs roughly 31% less than Kostanay (Kustanay). Kostanay (Kustanay) scores higher for retirees on healthcare and overall livability. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Jilin is approximately 75% less expensive than Kostanay (Kustanay) based on cost of living including rent. This makes Jilin a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Jilin has a FIRE Score of 81/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 65, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Jilin is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Jilin
Jilin is a cheap place to live, with a 1-bedroom in the center at $300/mo and a monthly public transport pass at $7/mo, but the average local net salary of $447/mo means most residents are not the ones paying those rents comfortably. The expat scores are strong on paper, 81/100 overall and 83/100 for FIRE, yet the retiree score of 53/100 and a very few expat community make it a lonely bet for anyone past working age. Air quality at 78 and limited English round out a picture of a city that rewards self-sufficiency and a high tolerance for gray skies. Come for the low costs and the Fengman District, not for the company.
About China
China works for remote workers and business expats fluent in navigating bureaucracy, not retirees seeking an easy landing. Rent outside the city center averages just $238.5/mo, backing the low COL index of 30.7. But with no retirement visa, no digital nomad visa, and an advisory level of 2, getting legal footing here is the real obstacle, not the budget.
$2,250/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Kostanay (Kustanay)
Kostanay is a brutally affordable city where a single adult can live comfortably on $965 a month, including rent, but the local average salary of $492 a month tells you exactly who this place is for: expats with remote income. The rent gap between city center and outskirts is laughably small, with a three-bedroom downtown costing only $615, so there is no real reason to live anywhere else. The digital nomad visa demands a $3,900 monthly income, which is absurdly high relative to local costs, making the city a better fit for retirees on a Permanent Residence Permit or FIRE seekers who value the 88/100 FIRE score over English proficiency or nightlife.
About Kazakhstan
Low English proficiency and limited English-speaking doctors make daily life and healthcare navigation genuinely hard here. Budget-focused remote workers should push through anyway: a flat 10% income tax paired with $555/mo living costs (excluding rent) and $498/mo for a city-center 1BR is tough to beat. Political stability sits near zero and safety scores are middling, so this suits pragmatic savers over comfort-seekers.
$2,185/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
Compare income thresholds, fees and residency paths for routes in these countries.
Compare visas for these countriesBattle of Lifestyles
Scroll to compare
| Metric | Jilin | Kostanay (Kustanay) |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $300 | $525.71 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $200 | $372.84 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $600 | $615.19 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $400 | $492.15 |
| Safety Index | 65 | 65 |
| Internet Speed | 75Mbps | 30Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Jilin | Kostanay (Kustanay) |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | N/A | $815/mo |
| Excluding rent | N/A | $442/mo |
| Rent | N/A | $373/mo |
| Groceries | N/A | $134/mo |
| Dining out | N/A | $112/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | N/A | $80.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | N/A | $116/mo |
| Transport | N/A | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
Planning a move to Kostanay (Kustanay)? Make sure you have the right visa.
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized visa match in under 2 minutes.
Find my visa →Compare any two visa routes.
Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths, side by side. Search by country, including Kazakhstan and China.
Compare visas →Explore Kazakhstan
Jilin vs Kostanay (Kustanay) -- Frequently Asked Questions
Click any question to expand the answer.
Resources for Moving to Kostanay (Kustanay)
Find hotels in Kostanay (Kustanay)
Search and compare hotel prices across hundreds of booking sites.
Search hotels →Short-term rentals in Kostanay (Kustanay)
Browse vacation rentals while you scout neighborhoods for a long-term lease.
Browse rentals →Tours and activities in Kostanay (Kustanay)
Discover top attractions, day trips, and unique experiences.
Explore activities →eSIM for Kostanay (Kustanay)
Get connected the moment you land. No physical SIM needed.
Get eSIM →VPN for secure browsing in Kostanay (Kustanay)
Protect your data and access geo-restricted content while traveling.
Get NordVPN →