What’s Price of Peace of Mind in Tajikistan?

What does it take to live a stress-free life in Dushanbe, Tajikistan?

Some Dushanbe residents said they could manage with 4,000 to 5,000 somonis (approximately $360-$450) per month, covering basic living costs, The Caspian Post reports via Tajik media.

Others, aiming for a more comfortable lifestyle, estimated they’d need at least 50,000 somonis (around $4,500). A few even suggested that millions would be necessary to truly live without worry.

At the same time, several respondents took a more philosophical approach, arguing that peace of mind isn’t about money at all, but rather about family, health, and emotional well-being.

The video report highlights the economic diversity within Dushanbe - not only in terms of income levels, but also in how residents define a “comfortable life.”

According to livingcost.org, the average monthly cost of living in Dushanbe stands at $697, placing the city in the top 23 per cent of the world’s least expensive urban areas. However, the median after-tax salary is just $208, which covers only 30 per cent of average living expenses - making day-to-day life a financial challenge for many.

Experts point out that this disparity is due in part to how global cost-of-living indexes are calculated - often based on standards from more developed economies. In countries like Tajikistan, sustaining a modern lifestyle can be relatively costly, especially when wages lag behind inflation and imported goods drive up prices.

As a result, the “price of peace of mind” in Dushanbe is subjective - shaped by income, lifestyle expectations, and personal philosophy.

Whether modest or aspirational, each response reflects a deeper question being asked by residents in cities around the world: What does it really take to feel secure, comfortable, and at ease?