Is Almaty or Johannesburg cheaper to live in?

Johannesburg is 10% cheaper than Almaty. The average monthly cost in Johannesburg is $1,069, while Almaty costs $1,186 per month.

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

For digital nomads, Almaty offers faster internet at 140 Mbps. Johannesburg is more budget-friendly with lower living costs. Both cities have their strengths - Almaty has a NomadIQ score of 7/10 while Johannesburg scores 7.3/10.

What is the rent difference between Almaty and Johannesburg?

A 1-bedroom apartment costs $747/month in Almaty and $487/month in Johannesburg. Johannesburg has 35% lower rent.

Is Almaty or Johannesburg safer?

Almaty has a higher safety score of 4.7/10. Almaty scores 4.7/10 for safety while Johannesburg scores 1.9/10.

Should I move to Almaty or Johannesburg as an expat?

The choice depends on your priorities. Choose Johannesburg if budget is important ($1,069/month). Choose Almaty for better safety. Almaty is better for remote work with 140 Mbps internet.

Back to Comparison Tool

Almaty vs Johannesburg

Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

Almaty

Kazakhstan

$1,186/mo7/10

Johannesburg

South Africa

$1,069/mo7.3/10

Almaty

Kazakhstan

$1,186/moNomadIQ 7/10

Johannesburg

South Africa

$1,069/moNomadIQ 7.3/10

Detailed Comparison

Factor

Almaty

Johannesburg

Winner

Total Monthly Cost

$1,186

$1,069

Johannesburg

Rent (1BR)

$747

$487

Johannesburg

Groceries

$300

$330

Almaty

Transport

$35

$95

Almaty

Healthcare

$90

$120

Almaty

Safety Score

4.7/10

1.9/10

Almaty

Internet Speed

140 Mbps

100 Mbps

Almaty

NomadIQ Score

7/10

7.3/10

Johannesburg

Overall Winner: Almaty

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

Which city is better for digital nomads?

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

Best for Budget

Johannesburg

$1,069/mo

Best Internet

Almaty

140 Mbps

Best NomadIQ Score

Johannesburg

7.3/10

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

Digital Nomad Analysis: Almaty vs Johannesburg

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

Cost of Living: Johannesburg is the more budget-friendly option at $1,069/month versus Almaty's $1,186/month.

Internet & Remote Work: Almaty leads with 140 Mbps average internet speed, ideal for video calls and large file transfers. Johannesburg offers 100 Mbps.

Safety: With a safety score of 4.7/10, Almaty provides a more secure environment than Johannesburg (1.9/10).

Overall: Johannesburg's NomadIQ score of 7.3/10 gives it an edge for remote workers.

Cost of Living Comparison

Johannesburg is 10% cheaper than Almaty.

• Almaty rent: $747/mo
• Johannesburg rent: $487/mo
• Difference: $260/mo

Safety Comparison

Almaty has a higher safety score (4.7/10) compared to Johannesburg (1.9/10).

4.7/10

Almaty

1.9/10

Johannesburg

Digital Nomad Friendliness

For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Almaty offers faster internet at 140 Mbps vs 100 Mbps.

140 Mbps

Almaty

100 Mbps

Johannesburg

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 those prioritizing amenities

Johannesburg: Best for budget-conscious expats

Almaty vs Johannesburg

Almaty

Johannesburg

Almaty

Johannesburg

Detailed Comparison

Overall Winner: Almaty

Which city is better for digital nomads?

Digital Nomad Analysis: Almaty vs Johannesburg

Cost of Living Comparison

Safety Comparison

Digital Nomad Friendliness

Which City Is Better for Expats?

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Frequently Asked Questions: Almaty vs Johannesburg