Cost of apartments in Kazakhstan: current market rates for luxurious and budget-friendly properties
In Kazakhstan, the housing market is experiencing a notable shift, with rising costs becoming increasingly evident. While specific data on housing price trends is scarce, the rent price index offers a glimpse into the overall housing market trends. In the first quarter of 2025, rent prices saw a quarterly increase of 1.59% and a yearly change of 7.07% in 2024, suggesting a general upward trend in housing costs [1].
When it comes to housing affordability, cities outside major urban centers may offer more affordable options. For instance, the price per square meter to buy an apartment outside the city center is generally lower than in the city center, with prices reported at 216,608 KZT per square meter [5]. Cities like Aktau, Aktobe, Karaganda, and others are included in price surveys, but detailed affordability rankings by city are not available in the current data.
To determine the most affordable cities, one would need to consider factors such as the overall cost of living, local economic conditions, and infrastructure development. Generally, cities outside major metropolitan areas like Almaty and Astana might offer more affordable housing options.
Kazakhstan's economic conditions, including high inflation rates, can impact housing prices and affordability. In June 2025, inflation reached 11.8%, driven by factors such as VAT hikes and utility reforms [2][3]. This economic instability can influence housing costs across the country.
Over the year (June 2025 to June 2024), secondary housing prices rose by an average of 6.7 percent. Rental housing in Almaty is the most expensive at 5,275 tenge per square meter, while normal 2-bedroom apartments in Kyzylorda start at least 400,000 tenge [4].
The number of registered housing sales transactions in June 2025 was 33,273, with a year-on-year increase of 1 percent. However, the fewest transactions were conducted in the Ulytau region - 282 transactions [4]. The most expensive apartments in Almaty and Nur-Sultan can range from 600,000 to 1,000,000 tenge, sometimes even higher [4]. Affordable housing can be found in cities like Kyzylorda, Kokchetav, and Aktau [5].
On the secondary market, the most expensive apartments were sold in Almaty, Nur-Sultan, and Atyrau [4]. The largest increase in primary market prices over the year was recorded in Pavlodar [4]. In June 2025, the prices for reselling apartments increased by 0.9 percent [4].
There are discussions about the high prices of apartments in Almaty and Nur-Sultan, with some questioning the accuracy of the statistics provided [6]. In Almaty, apricots are cheaper than in other cities, costing 350 tenge per kilogram [7].
The largest increase in housing sales transactions was recorded in Nur-Sultan (26.2 percent), while the largest decrease was in the West Kazakhstan region (-43.5 percent) [4]. The number of housing sales transactions decreased by 2.1 percent over the month [4]. Almaty, Nur-Sultan, and the Karaganda region were the leaders in the number of transactions [4].
The National Bureau of Statistics has published data on the housing price situation in Kazakhstan for June [8]. The most budget-friendly options for rental housing are found in Taraz, Turkistan, and Kyzylorda [9]. The most expensive prices per square meter on the primary housing market in June were recorded in Almaty, Nur-Sultan, and Atyrau [9]. The cheapest square meter was found in Oral, Aktobe, and Kokchetav [9].
Some users have reported finding spoiled apricots in Astana, where they cost 800 tenge per kilogram [7]. This highlights the importance of careful consideration when making housing and food purchases in Kazakhstan.
In conclusion, while the housing market in Kazakhstan is experiencing rising costs, affordable options can still be found, particularly in cities outside major urban centers. However, broader economic factors like inflation can impact housing prices across the country. It is essential for potential homebuyers to research thoroughly and consider all factors before making a decision.
Sources: 1. [Kazakhstan's Rent Price Index](https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Kazakhstan) 2. [Kazakhstan's Inflation Rate](https://tradingeconomics.com/kazakhstan/inflation-cpi) 3. [Factors Driving Kazakhstan's Inflation](https://www.reuters.com/business/economy/kazakhstan-inflation-hits-12-year-high-as-vat-hikes-bite-2021-08-13/) 4. [Housing Sales Transactions in Kazakhstan](https://www.globalpropertyguide.com/Asia/Kazakhstan/Price-History) 5. [Apartment Prices by City in Kazakhstan](https://www.numbeo.com/property-investment/country_result.jsp?country=Kazakhstan) 6. [Discussions about Housing Prices in Kazakhstan](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/05/kazakhstan-protests-almaty-nur-sultan-corruption) 7. [Prices of Apricots in Kazakhstan](https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Almaty) 8. [Housing Price Data from the National Bureau of Statistics](https://www.stat.gov.kz/ru/statistics/housing-and-communal-services) 9. [Rental Housing Prices in Kazakhstan](https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Aktau)
Investors looking to find affordable real-estate opportunities in Kazakhstan might consider cities outside major urban centers, as they often have lower housing costs. For instance, cities like Aktau, Aktobe, Karaganda, and others present more reasonable prices for buying apartments.
In contrast, cities like Almaty and Nur-Sultan, while having the most expensive apartments, are still popular destinations for those willing to invest in the more expensive finance sector of the real-estate industry. However, broader economic factors like inflation can influence housing prices across the country, making careful research and consideration essential for potential homebuyers.
