Is Almaty or Bilbao cheaper to live in?

Almaty is 29% cheaper than Bilbao. The average monthly cost in Almaty is $1,186, while Bilbao costs $1,664 per month.

Which city is better for digital nomads: Almaty or Bilbao?

For digital nomads, Bilbao offers faster internet at 170 Mbps. Almaty is more budget-friendly with lower living costs. Both cities have their strengths - Almaty has a NomadIQ score of 7/10 while Bilbao scores 6.4/10.

What is the rent difference between Almaty and Bilbao?

A 1-bedroom apartment costs $747/month in Almaty and $1,181/month in Bilbao. Almaty has 37% lower rent.

Is Almaty or Bilbao safer?

Bilbao has a higher safety score of 5.1/10. Almaty scores 4.7/10 for safety while Bilbao scores 5.1/10.

Should I move to Almaty or Bilbao as an expat?

The choice depends on your priorities. Choose Almaty if budget is important ($1,186/month). Choose Bilbao for better safety. Bilbao is better for remote work with 170 Mbps internet.

Back to Comparison Tool

Almaty vs Bilbao

Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

Almaty

Kazakhstan

$1,186/mo7/10

Bilbao

Spain

$1,664/mo6.4/10

Almaty

Kazakhstan

$1,186/moNomadIQ 7/10

Bilbao

Spain

$1,664/moNomadIQ 6.4/10

Detailed Comparison

Factor

Almaty

Bilbao

Winner

Total Monthly Cost

$1,186

$1,664

Almaty

Rent (1BR)

$747

$1,181

Almaty

Groceries

$300

$360

Almaty

Transport

$35

$38

Almaty

Healthcare

$90

$55

Bilbao

Safety Score

4.7/10

5.1/10

Bilbao

Internet Speed

140 Mbps

170 Mbps

Bilbao

NomadIQ Score

7/10

6.4/10

Almaty

Overall Winner: Almaty

Based on our comparison, Almaty wins 5 out of 8 categories.Bilbao wins 3 categories.

Which city is better for digital nomads?

For digital nomads choosing between Almaty and Bilbao, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:

Best for Budget

Almaty

$1,186/mo

Best Internet

Bilbao

170 Mbps

Best NomadIQ Score

Almaty

7/10

Our Recommendation: Almaty is the clear winner for digital nomads, offering both affordability and excellent nomad infrastructure.

Digital Nomad Analysis: Almaty vs Bilbao

When comparing Almaty and Bilbao for digital nomads, several factors come into play.

Cost of Living: Almaty offers a more affordable lifestyle at $1,186/month compared to Bilbao's $1,664/month.

Internet & Remote Work: Bilbao provides faster connectivity at 170 Mbps compared to Almaty's 140 Mbps.

Safety: With a safety score of 5.1/10, Bilbao offers better security than Almaty (4.7/10).

Overall: Almaty earns a higher NomadIQ score of 7/10, making it slightly more suited for the digital nomad lifestyle.

Cost of Living Comparison

Almaty is 29% cheaper than Bilbao.

• Almaty rent: $747/mo
• Bilbao rent: $1,181/mo
• Difference: $434/mo

Safety Comparison

Bilbao has a higher safety score (5.1/10) compared to Almaty (4.7/10).

4.7/10

Almaty

5.1/10

Bilbao

Digital Nomad Friendliness

For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Bilbao offers faster internet at 170 Mbps vs 140 Mbps.

140 Mbps

Almaty

170 Mbps

Bilbao

Which City Is Better for Expats?

Based on our analysis, Almaty edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 5 of 8 comparison factors.

Almaty: Best for budget-conscious expats

Bilbao: Best for those prioritizing amenities

Almaty vs Bilbao

Almaty

Bilbao

Almaty

Bilbao

Detailed Comparison

Overall Winner: Almaty

Which city is better for digital nomads?

Digital Nomad Analysis: Almaty vs Bilbao

Cost of Living Comparison

Safety Comparison

Digital Nomad Friendliness

Which City Is Better for Expats?

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Frequently Asked Questions: Almaty vs Bilbao