The capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, has been ranked among the cities with the lowest cost of living according to the international Cost of Living Index by City 2026, published by the analytics platform Numbeo, Asiaplus.tj reports.
According to the ranking, Dushanbe ranked 437th globally, placing it among the most affordable cities in the world.
The cost of living index in the capital of Tajikistan was 28.6, meaning basic expenses here are almost 3.5 times lower than in New York City, which is considered the benchmark.
Low figures were also recorded in other categories. The housing rental index in Dushanbe was 11.3, and the combined cost of living index, including rent, was 20.9, demonstrating a relatively low burden on the family budget.
Eating out also remains among the lowest in the world, with the restaurant price index reaching 20.6. Overall, Central Asian cities rank near the bottom of global cost-of-living rankings. In addition to Dushanbe, Numbeo also included Astana, Almaty, Tashkent, and Bishkek.
The region is characterized by low costs for housing, food, and services, but relatively low incomes constrain local purchasing power. Astana has the most favorable income-to-price ratio among Central Asian cities.
However, local purchasing power in Dushanbe is estimated at 36.2 points, indicating a limited income-to-expense ratio. Experts note that the city's low cost of living is largely offset by low incomes and dependence on imports for a number of goods, including food.
According to Numbeo, Dushanbe remains one of the most affordable cities in the world in terms of daily expenses, but further improvements in quality of life are directly related to rising incomes and the development of urban infrastructure.
According to Numbeo, the most expensive cities in the world in 2026 are Zurich, Geneva, and Basel.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
January 15, 2026