GlobalCostData.com — Cost of Living
TaxRatesByCountry.com — Tax Rates
Nukus · Cost of Living 2026
City Guide · Uzbekistan · Asia

Cost of Living in Nukus, Uzbekistan
2026 Expat Guide

very affordable 74% below the global city average (CoL 87.2)

At a cost-of-living index of 22.8 (NYC = 100), Nukus sits firmly among very affordable destinations in Uzbekistan. Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center typically runs around ~$148, while a basic restaurant meal costs roughly ~$3.

With a population of 332,000, Nukus is a mid-size city in Uzbekistan.

Monthly Budget: $500–800/month  ·  CoL Index: N/A (NYC = 100, global avg 87.2)
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan Pop. 332k Updated April 2026
CoL Index
N/A
NYC = 100
Rent Index
N/A
NYC = 100
1-BR Centre
$148
monthly rent
Avg. Salary
$1,000
net/month
Cheap Meal
$3
restaurant
Groceries
$101
monthly basket

Key Cost of Living Data

Nukus 2026 · NYC baseline = 100

Cost of Living
N/A
Rent Index
N/A
Cheap Meal USD
$3
Monthly Groceries
$101
Monthly Transport
$27
CategoryValueNotesSource
CoL IndexN/ANYC baseline = 100 · global avg 87.2GlobalCostData 2026
Rent IndexN/AAvg rent vs NYCGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR City Centre$148Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR Outside Centre$96Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Cheap Restaurant Meal$3Per person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly Groceries$101Single person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly Transport$27Transit pass, USDGlobalCostData 2026

Affordability snapshot

Rent / Salary ratio
15%

Share of average net salary absorbed by 1-bed city-centre rent. Lower = more disposable income.

Country context · Uzbekistan

Avg net salary
$1,000
Food basket /mo
$247
Avg rent /mo
$148
Internet speed
87 Mbps
Safety index
6.8
HDI
0.727
Life expectancy
71.1 yrs
Purchasing power
16.8

Housing & Rent

USD per month · 2026

TypeUSD / monthNotes
1-bed, city centre$148Capital city avg.
1-bed, outside centre$96Suburbs avg.
Country avg rent$148Uzbekistan (national)

Food & Dining

Per-item prices in USD

ItemPrice (USD)Notes
Cheap restaurant meal$3Per person
Mid-range restaurant (2p)$83-course
Monthly groceries (single)$101Single person estimate
Country food basket$247Uzbekistan (national avg)

Transport

Monthly costs in USD

TypePrice (USD)Notes
Monthly transit pass$27Public transport avg.

City Insight

In Nukus, a 1-bedroom city-centre apartment ($148/mo) absorbs approximately 15% of the average net salary ($1,000/mo). This leaves solid disposable income.

Country profile
Full cost of living guide for Uzbekistan
View country →

Free resource

Planning a move to Nukus?

Get our Expat Budget Calculator — personalised monthly cost estimate for your lifestyle and city.

Monthly Budget Estimates

Nukus · 2026 · Single person

LifestyleMonthly Budget (USD)Notes
Frugal$500Shared room, basic lifestyle
Comfortable$8001-bed apt, normal expat lifestyle
Western expat$1,300Private apt, regular travel

Monthly Budget Calculator

Estimate your personal monthly spend in Nukus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nukus cost of living

Is Nukus good for digital nomads on a budget?
Nukus is one of the more affordable cities for digital nomads, with a CoL Index of 22.8 (roughly 77% below New York City). A comfortable remote-work lifestyle — including a private apartment, fast internet, and regular dining out — typically costs $228–$319/month, making it highly competitive on a USD or EUR income.
What is the cheapest area to live in Nukus?
Outside the city centre, a 1-bedroom apartment in Nukus averages $96/month, compared to $148/month in central areas. Outer districts and emerging neighbourhoods can be even cheaper — local expat forums are the best source for current listings.
How does Nukus compare to other affordable cities?
With a CoL Index of 22.8, Nukus sits comfortably in the affordable tier (below 60 on the NYC=100 scale). It compares favourably with similar budget destinations in the region, offering a good balance of infrastructure and low cost that appeals to long-stay travellers and expats alike.
How does Nukus compare to New York City for cost of living?
Nukus is approximately 77% cheaper than New York City overall (CoL Index 22.8 vs NYC baseline of 100). Rent specifically is 93% lower than NYC. Expats from NYC will enjoy significant savings.
What is the average salary in Nukus?
The average net monthly salary in Nukus is approximately $1,000, equivalent to around $12,000/year after taxes. Technology, finance, and international companies typically pay above average. Expat packages often include housing allowances on top of the base salary.

Cities With Similar Cost of Living

Comparable CoL Index (+/- 10 points) to Nukus

Sources: World Bank Open Data 2026 · GlobalCostData Research 2026. Data verified April 2026. Not financial or legal advice.
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and vary by neighbourhood and individual lifestyle. Verify with local sources before relocating.