How expensive is Moscow?

Question

I'm living there for a month from tomorrow, and apparently it's the most expensive city in the world! But what do they mean by that? Alcohol? Food? Accommodation?

Answer 1

Moscow is VERY EXPENSIVE!

Answer 2

Everything - food is outrageous, alcohol is crazy, transportation is ridiculous, hotels and apartments are so expensive you can't believe it.  We were only there 1 night on our way out of the country and I couldn't believe it.

It's beautiful and I wish I could have spent more time there, but we paid the equivalent of $150 for a hotel for one night and the hotel room was about the same quality as a youth hostel here in America - not clean, small uncomfortable twin beds (two in our room) bathroom down the hall... Where I live $150 will get you a decent hotel with cable and a jacuzzi bathtub!

Answer 3

It means its the most expensive for equivelant accomodation.  Thus, the same exact apartment in Moscow as you would find in New York will cost more in Moscow.  That's because what is normal in New York is considered Luxury in Moscow.

Food and transportation are absolutely cheaper in Moscow than New York or London.  Russians are very proud people and they think the "most expensive" ratings mean everything is more expensive in general there but that's simply not true in an absolute sense.

Answer 4

It can be fairly cheap and it can be incredibly expensive, depends where you are and what you do.  The Metro, buses and trams are cheap ways to get around.  Metro is 1/10 the cost of the London Underground.  Buy food in local markets or simple cafe's.  The swanky stores and restaurants will cost you both arms and legs, plus your shirt.  Don't buy the cheap booze, its often pretty rough.

Answer 5

very expensive

Answer 6

most expensive city in europe which makes it the world

Answer 7

The most expensive label applies to a ranking of world cities concerning expats. In other words, it ranks the expenses in a city for a company that employs expats. This would include accomadations, meals, entertainment, etc. If you are going to live in the manner you say you are, you will find prices for the things you spoke of typically less than London.

     The average salary of a Moscovite is much lower than that of a New Yorker or Londoner, and they get by.

     If you are a corporation sending expats to Moscow, then "The Most Expensive City" label applies.

Answer 8

There are always ways to save money when traveling.  It is true that Moscow is expensive, but don't panic.  I live in St. Pete and I'm often in Moscow, so I'm speaking from experience.  

If you want a bottle of wine, you can go to a restaurant and pay $70 or you can go to the grocery and pay $7 for the identical bottle.  (much less than in the US)  Beer will cost $8 a pint at a restaurant and $1 if you buy at the grocery.  Soup and salad with a glass of wine at a restaurant $50.  At grocery $5.  Milk at a grocery is 35-50 rubles or about $1.50 per liter.  Bread is comparable to the US and so is meat (check on quality when buying).  

The moral of the story is that restaurants are really expensive and groceries are fairly comparable to US groceries.  The price may be a little higher as inflation is high in Russia and the value of dollar is down, but prices are still fairly comparable in grocery stores.

Answer 9

Everything, it is more expensive now than London and Tokyo.

Hotels, food, drink, clothes everything is expensive.

Answer 10

Everything is expensive, especially what you need - food accomodation service. the prices are Based on almost nothing