Wondering how far your salary goes in Baku? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
Furnished 1-bed, central (Sabail / Nizami)AZN 800-1,600 / mo (US$470-940)
Furnished 1-bed, outer (Yasamal / Nasimi edge)AZN 450-800 / mo (US$265-470)
Dinner for two, mid-range restaurantAZN 60-120 (US$35-70)
Lunch at a local canteen or bazaarAZN 8-15 (US$5-9)
Metro ride with a BakıKartAZN 0.60 (about US$0.35) since 1 October 2025
Unlimited mobile data, monthlyAZN 15-30 (US$9-18)
Typical in-city ride-hail tripAZN 3-10 (US$2-6)
Est. single-person monthly (excl. rent)US$600-900
Good to know
Population
~2.3 million (greater Baku); ~10 million (Azerbaijan)
Languages
Azerbaijani (Turkic, Latin script); Russian widely spoken; English in the energy sector
Currency
Azerbaijani manat (AZN); pegged around AZN 1.70 = US$1
Time zone
GMT+4, no daylight saving
Power plug
Type C/F (European 2-pin), 220V/50Hz
Elevation
About 28 m BELOW sea level — the lowest-lying national capital in the world
Climate
Semi-arid Caspian: hot humid summers, mild damp winters, and a fierce northerly wind (khazri)
Registration
Compulsory within 15 days of arrival if staying longer than 15 days
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Baku checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.