Cost of Living: Create Your Own Monthly Budget
How to calculate expenses for housing, transportation and everyday purchases.
Fixed expenses
Start with confirmed rent and utility payments. Add communications, transport and mandatory regular payments. For your own home, consider heating, maintenance and the need for a car separately; these costs may vary by season.
Variable expenses
Record meals, household purchases, leisure activities, and travel between cities. Compare the same cart and the same period of time. The total amount for the region without family composition, type of housing and month is of little help in making a decision.
Reserve and tool
Consider one-time moving expenses - transportation of things, temporary housing and security deposit - separately. In the budget tool, you can enter your amounts and see the total for the month. The values are entered by the user: the atlas does not provide a model calculation for the statistical cost of living.
Sources and verification
Practical information verified on October 26, 2026. Please check conditions for your chosen date before traveling.