Novaya Gazeta Europe compiled a list of goods and services that, in its assessment, are likely to rise in price much faster than overall inflation in 2026. While inflation in 2025 is expected to stay below 7% and may slow to 5% in 2026, several categories are already increasing far more quickly.
Utilities and fuel
Average tariffs for water, gas and electricity across Russia are projected to rise by 12.8%. The outlet notes that the increase in January will be 1.7%, with the main hike postponed until October. By its estimates, housing and utility services rose by 43% on average in 2022–2025.
According to the publication, Russia’s gasoline market faced a severe crisis in 2025: drone strikes on refineries and repair problems caused fuel shortages. Average prices for AI-92 and AI-95 rose by 11–12%, and by as much as 16% in some regions. Sources interviewed by the outlet expect the shortage to continue into 2026.
Transport, food and cars
Taxi fares may increase by 20–50% over the year because of restrictions on the use of most car models. In food, dairy products rose the most: butter gained 34% in the first seven months of 2025, while milk and sour cream rose by 22%. Retail meat prices increased more slowly so far, but after a sharp rise in wholesale prices, the outlet expects notable growth in 2026.
Cars may become another 15–25% more expensive, according to market participants, after a further increase in the recycling fee and changes in tax policy. Autostat director Sergey Tselikov called these measures signs of a new “price surge.”
Air travel, education and housing
Passenger air travel in 2025 went through several major disruptions because airports were closed amid drone attacks. Analysts and experts cited by the outlet estimated ticket price growth at 10–20%, and said another rise of about 20% is possible in 2026.
Commercial higher education has already risen by 12% on average, and by 1.4–1.5 times in some fields. Prices for new-build apartments in January–October 2025 increased by 7–9%, while secondary housing, according to SberIndex, rose by one-third. In 2026, the market expects further growth in both housing and rental prices.