Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe, has been ranked among the cities with the lowest cost of living globally, according to the Cost of Living Index by City 2026 published by the analytical platform Numbeo.
According to the ranking, Dushanbe placed 437th among 479 entries, positioning it among the most affordable cities to live in. The city’s cost of living index stood at 28.6 points, meaning that basic living expenses are nearly 3.5 times lower than in New York, which serves as the benchmark for the index.
Low figures were also recorded across other categories. Dushanbe’s rent index amounted to 11.3, while the overall cost of living index including rent reached 20.9, indicating a relatively modest burden on household budgets. Restaurant prices in the city also remain among the lowest globally, with a restaurant price index of 20.6.
Overall, cities in Central Asia tend to occupy the lower end of global cost-of-living rankings. In addition to Dushanbe, the Numbeo list includes Astana, Almaty, Tashkent, and Bishkek. The region is characterized by low costs for housing, food, and services, although relatively low income levels limit local purchasing power.
According to Numbeo, Astana demonstrates the most favorable balance between incomes and prices among Central Asian cities. In Dushanbe, local purchasing power is estimated at 36.2 points, reflecting a constrained ratio between household incomes and expenses.
