Azerbaijan, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, is becoming increasingly popular with expatriates. The country, known for its landscapes and natural treasures, also offers a pleasant lifestyle at a relatively low cost. But what budget should you plan for moving to Azerbaijan in 2024? Foyer Global Health provides an overview of the cost of living in Azerbaijan.
Average Cost of Living in Azerbaijan 2024
| Net monthly salary | 401€ |
| Rental budget for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center (Baku) | Between €270 and €800 |
| Price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city center (Baku) | Between €1,350 and €2,166 |
| Price per liter of gasoline | 0,61€ |
| Monthly cell phone package | 11,48€ on average |
| Meal for two in a mid-range restaurant | Between €22 and €55 |
The cost of living in Azerbaijan is 51% lower than in France, although the purchasing power per capita is over 60% lower.
Official Currency and Exchange Rate in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s official currency is the Azerbaijani manat, abbreviated “AZN”. One manat is divided into 100 gepiks (centimes). Coins of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 and 50 gepiks are available in the country, as well as banknotes of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 manats.
Currently, one manat is equivalent to 0.54 euro (index as of July 22, 2024).
Housing
The real estate market in Azerbaijan has been dynamic for several years. Property prices fluctuate by region and location but remain attractive compared to neighboring countries.
For the rental of a one-bedroom apartment in Baku, expect an average budget of 781 AZN (424.13 EUR) in the city center and 432 AZN (234.60 EUR) outside the center.
If you want to live in Azerbaijan as a homeowner, the price per m2 in downtown Baku varies between AZN 2,500 and AZN 4,000, or between EUR 1,357.66 and EUR 2,172.26.
Moving further away from the city center, the price per m2 ranges from AZN 1,200 to AZN 2,200, i.e. from EUR 651.68 to EUR 1,194.74.
Additional Charges
The housing budget also includes the cost of energy charges. The average monthly charge for an 85m2 apartment in Azerbaijan is 102.83 AZN, or 55.84 EUR. This includes electricity, heating, air conditioning, and water.
For more details:
- Electricity per kWh: 0.080 AZN (€0.043)
- Gas per kWh: 0.080 AZN (€0.043)
Grocery Price Comparison Example Between Azerbaijan and France
Grocery costs in Azerbaijan are significantly lower compared to France, with some items up to 350% cheaper. Here’s a price comparison of staple foods in Azerbaijan and France:
| Item | Price in Azerbaijan | Price in France |
| Rice (1 kg) | 2,14€ | 2,20€ |
| Eggs (12 pieces) | 1,30€ | 3,80€ |
| Chicken fillets | 4,11€ | 12,81€ |
| Red Meat (1 kg) | 8,91€ | 19,04€ |
| Apples (1 kg) | 0,90€ | 2,78€ |
| Bananas (1 kg) | 1,50€ | 2,05€ |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | 1,52€ | 3,34€ |
| Onions (1 kg) | 0,44€ | 2,08€ |
| Salad (1 head) | 0,44€ | 1,36€ |
| Milk (1 L) | 1, 21€ | 1,15€ |
| Water (1.5 L) | 0,53€ | 0,70€ |
| Imported beer (33 cl) | 2,52€ | 2,74€ |
Transportation
Plane
The national airline, Azerbaijan Airlines (Azal), connects the capital Baku to three cities in the country with these domestic routes:
- Baku – Fuzuli round trip from AZN 156 (EUR 84.72) per person in economy class
- Baku – Ganja round trip from AZN 600 (EUR 325.85) per person in economy class
- Baku – Nakhchivan round trip from AZN 736 (EUR 400) per person in economy class
Bus
Buses are one of the most popular means of public transport in the country. An average bus journey in Azerbaijan costs 0.41 AZN or 0.22 EUR.
Metro
Baku residents can take advantage of a metro system currently comprising 3 lines and 27 stations. From July 1, 2024, the price of a metro journey has been set at AZN 0.50 (EUR 0.27).
Taxi
Taxis are the most popular means of transport in Azerbaijan, especially in Baku. Official taxis have fixed prices, while private taxis vary. For a trip in the city, expect to pay between AZN 2.50 and AZN 3.70, or between EUR 1.36 and EUR 2.01.
Car
If you have your own car, you can of course travel around the country by car. The average price of a liter of gasoline in Azerbaijan is AZN 1.13 (EUR 0.61).
The healthcare system in Azerbaijan
Here are some examples of prices for medical services in Azerbaijan:
| Medical services | Prices |
| Consultation with a general practitioner | 55 to 185 AZN (30 to 100 EUR) |
| Consultation with a specialist | From 90 to 425 AZN (50 to 230 EUR) |
| Consultation with a gynecologist | 260 AZN (141,23 EUR) |
| Extraction of wisdom teeth | From 261 AZN (142 EUR) |
| Lasik surgery | 1675 AZN (910 EUR) |
The healthcare system in Azerbaijan is evolving rapidly, and the quality of care is improving. The largest medical facilities are in Baku, where private establishments offer high-quality medical services.
However, due to the weaknesses in the Azerbaijani healthcare system, expatriates are advised to get international health insurance with emergency medical evacuation coverage.
Education System in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan offers a traditional and comprehensive education system. Here’s an overview of the costs:
- Kindergarten: average 377 AZN (204.79 EUR) per month per child.
- Primary school: 10,000 AZN (€5,432) per year per child.
In the capital, the Lycée Français de Bakou offers education in four languages (French-Azerbaijani-Russian-English) at the following annual rates:
- Nursery: AZN 9,680 (EUR 5,500)
- Elementary: 18,150 AZN (€10,290)
- Middle school (6th to 10th grade): 19,480 AZN (€11,070)
- High school (11th and 12th grade): 22,990 AZN (€12,488)
Telecommunications
Several telecommunications companies offer monthly packages for different services:
- Mobile subscription with 10 GB+ data: on average AZN 21.19 (EUR 11.49).
- Internet connection of 60 Mbps or more with unlimited data: average 23.85 AZN (12.93 EUR).
Sports and leisure in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is renowned for its lush nature, numerous nature reserves, and tourist sites. Here are some average costs for leisure activities:
- Heydar Aliyev Center entrance: 15 AZN (€8.15) for adults, free for children under 6.
- Highland Park in Baku: free admission with funicular at 1 AZN (0.54 EUR).
- Admission to Gobustan National Historic-Artistic Reserve: AZN 4 (EUR 7.36) for citizens, AZN 10 (EUR 18.41) for foreigners, AZN 1 (EUR 0.54) for students.
- Museum Entry: AZN 5 (EUR 2.72) on average.
- Cinema ticket: AZN 10 (EUR 5.42).
- Fitness club membership: 73.48 AZN (€39.85).