Figures: World Bank 2024 data (latest available on 25 October 2026). The price level is our calculation: PPP conversion factor ÷ official exchange rate, USA = 1. It is a national average across the whole economy, not a Moscow shopping basket.
The numbers
Price level in 2024 (USA = 1): France 0.74, Portugal 0.56, Brazil 0.46, Russia 0.31. Calculated from the World Bank PPP conversion factor and the official exchange rate for each country.
In plain terms: on this measure Russia is about 57% cheaper than France, 44% cheaper than Portugal and 32% cheaper than Brazil.
Official sources: World Bank · PPP conversion factor (2024) · World Bank · official exchange rate (2024)
The catch
This is an economy-wide average for 2024. It says nothing specific about Moscow rent, imported electronics or a café in the city centre, and the rouble rate has moved since. Use it to compare countries, not to set your monthly budget.
The bigger shock is often the payment, not the price: cards issued outside Russia no longer work there. A low price is useless if you cannot pay it.
Official sources: Visa · 2022 · Bank of Russia
For a real budget
Ask your university for the dorm tariff, deposit and insurance cost in writing. As one published example, RUDN lists 1,100–17,500 ₽ per month depending on the room — one university’s range, not an average.
Official sources: RUDN · Moscow Transport
Written by Vlad Lario
Russian in Lisbon. I read both sides and write down what differs.
About the author