Side-by-side city decision # Nanjing vs Astana. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link NanjingChina5/6 VS AstanaKazakhstan1/6 $855Nanjing monthly budget $935Astana monthly budget 220 MbpsNanjing internet 95 MbpsAstana internet Decision summary Nanjing Nanjing leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Nanjing Speed Fastest internet Nanjing Vibe Best nomad vibe Nanjing Safety Highest safety Nanjing Air Cleanest air Astana Walk Most walkable Nanjing Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Nanjing](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/nanjing.md) China 5/6 Budget$855 Internet220 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Astana](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/kazakhstan/astana.md) Kazakhstan 1/6 Budget$935 Internet95 Mbps Vibe6/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals MetricNanjingAstana Total estimated budget $855 $935 1-bed center rent $420 $500 Coworking desk $180 $145 Local meal $3.2 $7.2 Cappuccino $3.4 $2.4 Gym membership $45 $38 Transport budget $35 $25 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricNanjingAstana Internet speed 220 Mbps 95 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 6/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricNanjingAstana Safety index 78/100 66/100 Air quality 58/100 70/100 Walkability 7/10 6/10 Female safety 8/10 7/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 5/10 3/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricNanjingAstana Healthcare quality Good Good English proficiency Basic Basic Climate type Humid subtropical Extreme continental steppe Best time to visit Mar - May May - Sep Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Nanjing](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/nanjing.md) China → ### Strengths * Affordable rent and everyday dining for a major Chinese city * Extensive, inexpensive metro network * Fast mobile and home internet infrastructure * Rich history, museums, parks, and Yangtze River scenery * Very convenient cashless payments through Alipay and WeChat Pay * Strong safety levels and a relaxed local atmosphere ### Trade-offs * English is limited outside international hotels and universities * Summer heat and humidity can be intense * Winter is damp and can feel colder than temperatures suggest * Internet access requires navigating the Great Firewall * Short-term visa rules are not designed for remote work * Air quality can worsen during polluted or hazy periods ### Common visa routes * Tourist (L) visa * Business (M) visa * Work (Z) visa with residence permit [Astana](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/kazakhstan/astana.md) Kazakhstan → ### Strengths * Modern skyline and generally reliable urban infrastructure * Affordable compared with major European capitals * Fast home fiber and widespread 4G and 5G coverage * Very cashless-friendly banks, cafés, and ride-hailing apps * Generally safe streets and low violent-crime risk * Good access to Kazakh culture, museums, and steppe travel ### Trade-offs * Winter cold and wind can be exceptionally severe * English is limited outside international hotels and newer cafés * The city is spread out and not fully pedestrian-friendly * Social and nomad communities are smaller than in Almaty * Air quality can decline during the heating season * LGBTQ+ travelers may prefer discretion ### Common visa routes * Visa-free entry for eligible nationalities, commonly up to 30 days * Tourist visa or eVisa where eligible * C3 business visa for qualifying business travel Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.