An image showcasing the beauty of Asmara

People enjoying the surroundings of Asmara

Cost of living in Asmara

Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea, offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern living. Understanding the cost of living in Asmara is crucial for anyone considering relocating or planning an extended stay.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in various categories, including dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities, to help you budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $18.14 on average, with a range between $4 and $30.
Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $30, with prices ranging from $20 to $50.
Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $5.99.
Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $0.6 to $5, imported beer $1.33 to $5, cappuccino $0.67 to $0.85, and Coke/Pepsi $1 to $3.

Grocery Prices

Milk - Milk is priced between $1 and $1.67 per liter, averaging $1.62.
Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs $0.5.
Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $3.96 to $4.8, averaging $4.52.
Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $10 to $16.67 per kg, while oranges range from $1.67 to $2 per kg.
Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1 and $2 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.67 per head.

Transportation

Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $0.13 and $0.3, with a monthly pass priced at $8.
Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $2 and $2.5 per liter.
Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $0.67, with a cost of $0.6 to $0.67 per km and $6.67 to $10 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $300 to $650, averaging $475.
1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $200 to $600, averaging $400.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $600 to $850, averaging $725.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $550 to $750, averaging $650.
Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $190 to $611.07, averaging $400.53.
Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter averages $1937.5.

Utilities

Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $25 and $30, averaging $27.5.
Internet - Internet services average $200.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 13 user contributions, as of the most recent update in October, 2024.

Restaurants

Avg / Range

Restaurants

Avg

Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

$18.14

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

$30.00

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

$5.99

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.00

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.00

Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.83

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.33

Cappuccino (regular)

$0.77

Markets

Avg / Range

Markets

Avg

Range

Milk (regular), (1 liter)

$1.62

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)

$0.50

Eggs (regular) (12)

$4.52

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.00

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.14

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

$12.00

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.00

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.17

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

$2.00

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$26.83

Apples (1kg)

$12.22

Oranges (1kg)

$1.89

Potato (1kg)

$1.76

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67

Rice (white), (1kg)

$1.98

Tomato (1kg)

$1.22

Banana (1kg)

$1.28

Onion (1kg)

$1.07

Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

$10.00

Transportation

Avg / Range

Transportation

Avg

Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

$0.13

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.00

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.33

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

$66,666.00

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.67

Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)

$0.63

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.33

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

$70,000.00

Rent Per Month

Avg / Range

Rent Per Month

Avg

Range

Avg

Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,060.00

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

12%

Childcare

Avg / Range

Childcare

Avg

Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

$25.00

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

$1,675.00

Overview Job Market

Asmara Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Asmara offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many global cities, with low transportation and dining costs.
Housing is reasonably priced, especially outside the city centre, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious residents.
While utilities and internet costs are higher, the overall expenses remain manageable for most residents.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Asmara presents a cost-effective living environment with affordable housing and dining options.

Potential residents should consider the higher costs of utilities and internet when planning their budget.

Overall, Asmara is a viable option for those seeking a balance between cost and quality of life.

Asmara

Nearby Cities

We don't have any relevant "Quality of life" data on cities with a 200 mile radius of Asmara
All cities in Eritrea