Cost of Living in Uzbekistan
for Expats 2026

Tashkent offers the widest selection of modern accommodation, with the Yunusobod and Mirzo-Ulugbek districts attracting expats and featuring newly built apartment complexes renting from $300–$700 per month for a furnished 1-bedroom. Local apartments in quieter neighborhoods run $80–$200 monthly for similar size. Samarkand and Bukhara, the Silk Road jewels, are dramatically cheaper: expect $100–$300 for comfortable lodging in the historic centers. Utilities (water, electricity, heating) average $15–$40/month in Tashkent, less elsewhere. Internet is reliable and fast at $5–$15/month.

Uzbek cuisine offers extraordinary value: plov (the national rice-and-meat dish) costs $1–$2 at local restaurants, samsa (meat-filled pastry) runs $0.30–$0.50, and shashlik kebabs $1.50–$3. Modern supermarkets like Korzinka and Metro Cash & Carry provide imported goods at competitive prices. A month of groceries for one person averages $100–$220 depending on diet preferences (local markets offer far better value than supermarkets). Dining out locally rarely exceeds $3–$5 per meal; western restaurants in Tashkent cost $8–$15.

Tashkent Metro is fast, clean, and extremely affordable at $0.10–$0.15 per ride. Yandex Taxi (the Uber equivalent) operates throughout the city with fares of $0.50–$2 for typical journeys. Domestic flights connect Tashkent to Samarkand and Bukhara for $20–$40. The high-speed Afrosiyob train between Tashkent and Samarkand (3.5 hours, $10–$20) offers a scenic, affordable option. Note: Uber does not operate in Uzbekistan; Yandex Taxi and traditional taxis are the standards.

Uzbekistan's healthcare system is improving steadily, with the Central Clinical Hospital in Tashkent offering good-quality care. A doctor consultation costs $15–$40, and dental work is inexpensive by global standards. However, expats often arrange health insurance and prefer evacuation to Turkey or Russia for complex procedures, reflecting trust in those healthcare systems. Basic care and routine treatments are affordable and accessible; international clinics in Tashkent serve expats at higher prices ($50–$100+ per consultation).