The average annual salary in Russia is 1,240,000 Rubles (RUB) or USD 14,771 (according to the exchange rate in June 2023).
Russia Annual Household Income per Capita reached 7,932.623 USD in Dec 2022, compared with the previous value of 6,561.323 USD in Dec 2021.
The average cost of living in Russia for families can be anywhere from 30,000 rubles to 35,000 rubles per month, excluding utilities. While Moscow and Saint Petersburg are relatively expensive to live in, Novosibirsk is one of the cities in Russia with low cost of living.
The good news is that the typical Russian citizen was 1.8 times wealthier in 2017 than in 2000, with accumulated wealth of about 9 million rubles (or approximately US$ 153,000).
The majority of Russians, as per 45 percent of the polled respondents, were paying between 5 and 15 thousand Russian rubles per month for rented housing as of July 2019. Over 20 thousand Russian rubles for the residential rental fee was submitted by 17 percent of the surveyed population.
Expert's answer: The average income in Russia is about 400-500 USD per month, so this sum is enough to live in the country for at least one year.
In addition to monetary compensation, the average salary also includes benefits that employees get like housing, transport, medical insurance, etc. According to Salary Explorer, the average salary ranges from 26,200 RUB (lowest average) to 463,000 RUB (highest average) in Russia.
Collaboration Tools. The Russian parliament is considering draft Bill No. 307392-8, which provides for an increase in the minimum wage from RUB 15,279 per month to RUB 19,242 per month with effect from 1 January 2024.
Housing costs in Russia
According to Numbeo, a one-bedroom flat in the center of Moscow costs 50,000 p. to 100,000 p. Meanwhile, outside the city center, prices are, on average, 40,000 p. For a three-bedroom apartment in Moscow city center, you can expect to pay about 145,000 or 75,000 on the outskirts.
So, according to Sberindex in 2020, the median salary for all industries in Russia amounted to 31540 rubles in January and 38278 rubles in December. In January 2021, it amounted to 33549 rubles, in December 2021 - 42,801 rubles. In January 2022, the median salary was 37429 rubles, in December 2022 - 49627 rubles.
Cost of living in United States is 128% more expensive than in Russia.
- CON: Weather
As Russia is such a large country, the weather varies dramatically. No matter where in the country they live though, expats must prepare themselves and adapt their lifestyles for long, cold winters, and shorter spring, summer and autumn seasons. Winters can be harsh.
Generally, Russia is a safe country for expats. However, both the US Department of State and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against travel to the North Caucasus region or to the Crimea, due to ongoing political unrest in these areas.
Maximum and minimum salary range
The average salary in China ranges from 7,410 Yuan per month (USD 1,066) to 131,000 Yuan (USD 18,842) per month — with 7,410 Yuan being the minimum salary and 131,100 Yuan being the maximum salary.
In 2021, the last full year for which Beijing's National Bureau of Statistics offers data, the average Chinese worker earned 105,000 yuan a year, the equivalent of $16,153. The average American worker earned some $58,120 a year, 3.5 times his or her Chinese counterpart — still wide but not what it was.
As mentioned earlier, any Russian or foreign citizen can buy real estate for residential use. The exception for foreign citizens resides in purchases on border and seaport areas.
The average salary in Russia is relatively low, considering the rent and the prices of utilities, transportation, and other expenses. With an average monthly income of around 680$ you can cover all basic expenses, but you can't save up or indulge in experiences and adventures like traveling.
But Russian land averages $400 per acre -- a mere 10 percent of the cost in France, and 20 percent of the price of land in Brazil. In the countryside, Russia's capitalist revolution is still a work in progress.
As of 2021, Hungary had the lowest average monthly salary of employees in the world in terms of Purchasing Power Parities (PPP), which takes the average cost of living in a country into account. Zimbabwe had the second lowest average wages, with Ethiopia in third.
According to official statements, the starting salary for a Russian soldier fighting in Ukraine is 195,000 rubles ($2,535) per month, which is nearly 14 times higher than the median salary in some regions of Russia.
As of 2022, surgeons ranked first in the list of highest-paying professions in Russia with an average monthly salary of 386 thousand Russian rubles. Judges ranked second, earning 324 thousand Russian rubles on average per month.