Cost of Living in Asmara - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,034 (excluding rent), and $1,444 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,164 (excluding rent), and $2,848 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.11 ERN 183
$3.93 ERN 59.2
$29.47 ERN 444
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.69 ERN 447
$19.79 ERN 298
$49.48 ERN 746
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.06 ERN 91.3
-
Cappuccino
$0.8 ERN 12.02
$0.69 ERN 10.46
$0.88 ERN 13.27
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85 ERN 27.85
$1.01 ERN 15.22
$3.03 ERN 45.66
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29 ERN 19.46
$0.97 ERN 14.63
$1.94 ERN 29.26
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.02 ERN 15.32
$0.61 ERN 9.19
$5.08 ERN 76.6
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95 ERN 29.45
$1.3 ERN 19.58
$4.89 ERN 73.6
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.57 ERN 23.73
$0.97 ERN 14.65
$1.62 ERN 24.46
White Bread (500g)
$0.48 ERN 7.31
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2 ERN 30.12
$1.34 ERN 20.24
$2.62 ERN 39.56
Eggs
$4.39 ERN 66.1
$3.84 ERN 57.9
$4.66 ERN 70.2
Local Cheese (1kg)
$2.91 ERN 43.88
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$26.38 ERN 398
$26.22 ERN 395
$26.55 ERN 400
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.85 ERN 149
$9.85 ERN 149
$9.85 ERN 149
Apples (1kg)
$12.06 ERN 182
$9.87 ERN 149
$16.46 ERN 248
Banana (1kg)
$1.3 ERN 19.61
$1.02 ERN 15.32
$1.52 ERN 22.98
Oranges (1kg)
$1.94 ERN 29.17
$1.71 ERN 25.78
$2.05 ERN 30.87
Tomato (1kg)
$1.25 ERN 18.91
$1.03 ERN 15.5
$1.37 ERN 20.61
Potato (1kg)
$1.78 ERN 26.86
$1.01 ERN 15.26
$2.03 ERN 30.52
Onion (1kg)
$1.1 ERN 16.51
$0.69 ERN 10.34
$1.23 ERN 18.52
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.7 ERN 10.59
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.16 ERN 32.56
$1.01 ERN 15.22
$3.03 ERN 45.65
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.97 ERN 29.69
-
Wine (Bottle)
$11.94 ERN 180
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.02 ERN 15.44
$1.02 ERN 15.44
$1.02 ERN 15.44
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15 ERN 17.33
$0.98 ERN 14.82
$1.31 ERN 19.7
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.12 ERN 1.77
$0.12 ERN 1.77
$0.27 ERN 4.08
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.02 ERN 121
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.66 ERN 9.9
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.61 ERN 9.2
$0.58 ERN 8.76
$0.65 ERN 9.78
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.57 ERN 129
$6.86 ERN 103
$10.29 ERN 155
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.21 ERN 33.28
$2.04 ERN 30.68
$2.54 ERN 38.35
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$67.9K ERN 1M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$69.5K ERN 1M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$28.04 ERN 423
$25.49 ERN 384
$30.59 ERN 461
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$66.9 ERN 1,008
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$197 ERN 2,966
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$27.33 ERN 412
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.45 ERN 112
$4.96 ERN 74.8
$9.93 ERN 150
Cinema Ticket
$1.09 ERN 16.37
$0.99 ERN 14.88
$1.19 ERN 17.86
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$24.6 ERN 371
$24.6 ERN 371
$24.6 ERN 371
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,675 ERN 25.2K
$750 ERN 11.3K
$2,599 ERN 39.2K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$80.9 ERN 1,219
$29.4 ERN 443
$132 ERN 1,994
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$75.6 ERN 1,139
$30.23 ERN 456
$121 ERN 1,822
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$203 ERN 3,058
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$94.1 ERN 1,417
$39.6 ERN 597
$149 ERN 2,238
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$470 ERN 7,084
$297 ERN 4,474
$643 ERN 9,693
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$400 ERN 6,023
$200 ERN 3,012
$600 ERN 9,035
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$733 ERN 11K
$607 ERN 9,144
$860 ERN 13K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$643 ERN 9,689
$544 ERN 8,198
$742 ERN 11.2K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$393 ERN 5,923
$186 ERN 2,810
$600 ERN 9,036
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,935 ERN 29.2K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,049 ERN 15.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12
-
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Asmara - Frequently Asked Questions
How does affordability in Asmara compare for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Asmara offers steady value for a range of profiles, from travelers to long-term expats and remote workers. The city tends to balance basic needs with a comfortable standard of living, and you can prioritize what matters most – housing, meals, or coworking – without getting overwhelmed by prices. Consider the Cost of Living in Asmara, Eritrea, as a reference point: essentials are predictable, services are reliable, and you can stretch a modest budget by choosing appropriate neighborhoods and dining options. Expect fewer ultra-cheap options but plenty of sensible value with local eateries and midrange housing. Seasonal adjustments are modest, and flexibility often yields the best balance. Tip: map your must-haves and test a few areas before committing.
What does daily life look like in Asmara in terms of housing, food, transport, and errands?
Daily life in Asmara centers on walkable streets, friendly cafés, and accessible markets. For housing, you will find a range from compact apartments near central lanes to more spacious compounds in quieter hills, with terms varying by length and furnishings. Food options span markets, local eateries, and international cafés, letting you tailor meals to budget and taste. Transport leans on walking, shared taxis, and reliable bus routes, with easy access to neighborhoods and viewpoints. Co-working spaces exist in several districts, which helps you balance work and exploration. Errands and planning become smoother with a few core stores and predictable schedules. In terms of Asmara, Eritrea living cost, you will notice variation by area. Tip: Keep a small daily budget buffer and map your essential errands to save time.
What strategies help you maximize quality of life in Asmara while budgeting and choosing a neighborhood?
Quality of life in Asmara rewards planning and neighborhood choice. Build a simple budgeting framework: cover fixed needs first (housing, utilities), account for flexible expenses (food, transport), and maintain a small reserve for changes in pace or travel. To save without sacrificing comfort, favor locally sourced meals, bake and cook at home when possible, and choose neighborhoods that reduce commute time to work or co-working hubs. Seasonality is gentle but influences clothing and energy use, so layer clothing for cooler evenings and plan activities around dry spells. Neighborhood fit matters: central districts for access and social life, hillside areas for views and quiet, or outlying co-living setups for space. Tip: test a base area for several weeks and adjust as you go.
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