Living in Astana in 2026: cost, rent, neighbourhoods

What the city lives on and who it suits

Astana has been Kazakhstan's capital since 1997, a fast-growing city of about 1.5 million people in the steppe on the Ishim river. It hosts the government, ministries, national companies, the Astana International Financial Centre with English law and its own court, and a tech park for IT companies with tax incentives. The left bank is built up with new quarters, business towers and residential complexes; the right bank holds the old centre.

Moving to Astana is one of the simpler options in the region: citizens of many countries enter visa-free, Russian is widely spoken alongside Kazakh, and taxes are moderate. The main downside is the harsh winter: from December to February frosts below -20 with wind are common, but summers are warm and sunny.

It suits IT and finance specialists, entrepreneurs working with Central Asia, and families who want modern housing and international schools. It does not suit those who cope badly with cold or seek an old historic city.

Neighbourhoods: where newcomers settle

Cost of living

A single person lives comfortably on about $1,300-1,900 a month including rent, a family with a child from $2,300. A detailed budget for the country is in our article on the cost of living in Kazakhstan.

Renting and buying a home

Housing is found through listing sites and estate agents. In early 2026 the city-wide average rent was about $450 a month for a one-room flat, $620 for two rooms and $890 for three rooms. Furnished flats in new complexes on the left bank cost more: $560-900 for one bedroom. Rents across the country rose by 13-14% over the year. The left bank, with new residential complexes near Nurly Zhol boulevard and the exhibition complex, is the most expensive; the right bank and the old centre are cheaper. A lease usually runs for a year, with a deposit of one month's rent.

A square metre in a new building in Astana cost about $1,700 in August 2026, and about $1,400 in resale listings. A foreigner can own a home only with a residence permit: a flat will not be sold to someone staying in the country temporarily. The order is the reverse of the usual one: residence first, then the purchase, and buying does not in itself give the right to live in the country. Agricultural land is not sold to foreigners. There is no purchase tax, and the notary and title registration cost from $125. Transaction costs are explained in our article on buying an apartment in Kazakhstan. We handle property selection and due diligence; see our page on investment property in Kazakhstan.

Practicalities: transport, climate, money

• Transport. Buses, cheap app taxis and a light rail line opened on 16 May 2026: 18 stations from the airport to the railway station, with trains every 5-10 minutes. A ride costs less than $1 and a monthly pass about $20. The airport is 15-20 minutes away by taxi, with direct flights to Moscow, Istanbul, Dubai and Central Asian cities.
• Climate. Sharply continental: winters down to -30 with wind, summers +25-30.
• Taxes. Income tax 10%, 15% for large incomes, VAT 16% from 2026. See Kazakhstan taxes.
• Money. Cards and payment apps work everywhere; cash is rarely needed.
• Language. Kazakh is the state language; Russian is widely used in daily life and business.

Climate by season

The best time to move is May to September: it is warm and dry, and viewing flats is easier. Buy warm clothes and boots before the first frosts.

Family: schools and healthcare

Public schools are free, teaching in Kazakh or Russian. Astana has strong schools with advanced English and international schools with British and American curricula and the International Baccalaureate, costing from $12,000 to $41,000 a year. Private clinics are modern and inexpensive, and complex treatment is available at the capital's large medical centres. Foreigners with a residence permit get free care and take part in compulsory health insurance on the same terms as citizens. For temporary visitors only ambulance and emergency care are free; the rest is paid or covered by voluntary insurance.

Work and business

Foreign specialists are hired by national companies, banks, financial and law firms, IT companies and construction. Companies in the Astana International Financial Centre operate under English law, with their own court and tax incentives for some activities. Tech park members are exempt from several taxes and can hire foreigners under simplified rules. A sole trader can use the simplified declaration with tax of about 4% of turnover.

Moving and legal status

Citizens of many countries enter visa-free, and the permitted stay depends on nationality. Living beyond that period requires residence; applications are reviewed in about 45 days.

First steps after the move

• get an individual identification number: without it you cannot open an account or get a phone line;
• register your stay if you remain beyond the period allowed without registration;
• open a bank account and set up a payment app;
• buy warm clothes and boots before winter;
• enrol children in school or kindergarten through the city portal.

How to get the right to live here and what to read next

• Kazakhstan residence - points-based residence and routes through work, business and investment.
• Permanent residence in Kazakhstan - how many years and which documents.
• Kazakh citizenship - timing and conditions.
• Tax residency in Kazakhstan - when you start paying tax in the country.
• Company registration in Kazakhstan - for business and tech park membership.
• Almaty - the country's largest city, with a milder climate.

We choose the residence ground, calculate points, prepare the documents and help with housing and banking on the ground. A manager will calculate the support fee in the chat.

Is the city worth considering for living

Yes, if you want a modern city with low taxes, affordable housing and a straightforward move. No, if a long frosty winter is hard for you or you seek a historic atmosphere. We choose the basis, calculate points and support the residence application; we fix our fee after a free consultation.