Is Almaty or Tulum cheaper to live in?

Almaty is 9% cheaper than Tulum. The average monthly cost in Almaty is $1,186, while Tulum costs $1,306 per month.

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

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

What is the rent difference between Almaty and Tulum?

A 1-bedroom apartment costs $747/month in Almaty and $752/month in Tulum. Almaty has 1% lower rent.

Is Almaty or Tulum safer?

Tulum has a higher safety score of 6.4/10. Almaty scores 4.7/10 for safety while Tulum scores 6.4/10.

Should I move to Almaty or Tulum as an expat?

The choice depends on your priorities. Choose Almaty if budget is important ($1,186/month). Choose Tulum for better safety. Almaty is better for remote work with 140 Mbps internet.

Back to Comparison Tool

Almaty vs Tulum

Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

Almaty

Kazakhstan

$1,186/mo7/10

Tulum

Mexico

$1,306/mo7.3/10

Almaty

Kazakhstan

$1,186/moNomadIQ 7/10

Tulum

Mexico

$1,306/moNomadIQ 7.3/10

Detailed Comparison

Factor

Almaty

Tulum

Winner

Total Monthly Cost

$1,186

$1,306

Almaty

Rent (1BR)

$747

$752

Almaty

Groceries

$300

$350

Almaty

Transport

$35

$50

Almaty

Healthcare

$90

$120

Almaty

Safety Score

4.7/10

6.4/10

Tulum

Internet Speed

140 Mbps

90 Mbps

Almaty

NomadIQ Score

7/10

7.3/10

Tulum

Overall Winner: Almaty

Based on our comparison, Almaty wins 6 out of 8 categories.Tulum wins 2 categories.

Which city is better for digital nomads?

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

Best for Budget

Almaty

$1,186/mo

Best Internet

Almaty

140 Mbps

Best NomadIQ Score

Tulum

7.3/10

Our Recommendation: Choose Almaty if budget is your top priority, or Almaty if you need the fastest internet for remote work.

Digital Nomad Analysis: Almaty vs Tulum

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

Cost of Living: Almaty offers a more affordable lifestyle at $1,186/month compared to Tulum's $1,306/month.

Internet & Remote Work: Almaty leads with 140 Mbps average internet speed, ideal for video calls and large file transfers. Tulum offers 90 Mbps.

Safety: With a safety score of 6.4/10, Tulum offers better security than Almaty (4.7/10).

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

Cost of Living Comparison

Almaty is 9% cheaper than Tulum.

• Almaty rent: $747/mo
• Tulum rent: $752/mo
• Difference: $5/mo

Safety Comparison

Tulum has a higher safety score (6.4/10) compared to Almaty (4.7/10).

4.7/10

Almaty

6.4/10

Tulum

Digital Nomad Friendliness

For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Almaty offers faster internet at 140 Mbps vs 90 Mbps.

140 Mbps

Almaty

90 Mbps

Tulum

Which City Is Better for Expats?

Based on our analysis, Almaty edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 6 of 8 comparison factors.

Almaty: Best for budget-conscious expats

Tulum: Best for those prioritizing amenities

Almaty vs Tulum

Almaty

Tulum

Almaty

Tulum

Detailed Comparison

Overall Winner: Almaty

Which city is better for digital nomads?

Digital Nomad Analysis: Almaty vs Tulum

Cost of Living Comparison

Safety Comparison

Digital Nomad Friendliness

Which City Is Better for Expats?

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Frequently Asked Questions: Almaty vs Tulum