Moscow food prices surpass NYC amid income disparity
The prices of certain basic food items in Moscow have surpassed those found in New York City shops, according to findings from the independent Russian portal Możem Objasnit'.
What do you need to know?
- Price comparison: The independent Russian service Możem Objasnit' compared the prices of products in Moscow's Auchan and New York City's Walmart, using the exchange rate from 10 April.
- Higher prices in Moscow: Products such as milk, cheddar cheese, frozen trout fillet, and tomatoes are more expensive in Moscow than in New York City.
- Income differences: Residents of New York City earn substantially more than those in Moscow—on average, about €6,119.10 per month in NYC compared to £1,100 in Moscow (data for 2024).
Why are prices in Moscow higher than in New York City?
The independent Russian service Możem Objasnit' highlighted that over three years after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent international sanctions, the prices of some basic food items in Moscow surpass those in New York City.
A litre of milk costs 90 rubles in Moscow, whereas in New York City it's 83 rubles (after conversion from dollars). Similarly, cheddar cheese costs 209 rubles for 200 grams in Moscow, whereas in New York City, it's 193 rubles for 226 grams.
An American earns up to four times more
In New York City, despite higher earnings, certain food items remain cheaper than in Moscow. A frozen trout fillet costs 980 rubles in Moscow, but 909 rubles at Walmart. Tomatoes in Moscow are priced at least 350 rubles per kilogram, while at Walmart, they are 186 rubles.
The differences are even more striking considering that, on average, a New York City resident earns about 4.75 times more than a Moscow resident. On average, a NYC resident earns approximately £5,230 per month, while a Moscow resident earns around £1,100 (data for 2024).
