The article presents a comparative analysis of the impact of various factors on perception of social tension by residents of Russia and Kazakhstan. Using the author’s questionnaire, two types of factors were identified. The difference in the factors influencing the perception of social tension is associated with a number of changes taking place in social society, as well as phenomena that cause tension and negative attitudes among residents of individual states. Common factors for residents living in the territories of different states (the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan) are acceptance of others and control. Statistically significant differences between the age category as a whole and individual psychological characteristics and categories of perception of social tension were revealed, among them: interest in life and psycho-emotional category and age group (p = 0,040); general resilience — the contradiction between changes and resistance to them (p = 0,024); interest in life — a decrease in the standard of living (p = 0,043). The results obtained form the basis for further quantitative research on this issue in the field of social tension.