Cost of Living in Asmara - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $887 (excluding rent), and $1,469 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,435 (excluding rent), and $2,892 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.22 ERN 183
$3.96 ERN 59.5
$29.73 ERN 446
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.93 ERN 449
$19.95 ERN 299
$49.89 ERN 748
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.96 ERN 89.4
-
Cappuccino
$0.76 ERN 11.38
$0.66 ERN 9.90
$0.84 ERN 12.56
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88 ERN 28.17
$1.03 ERN 15.39
$3.08 ERN 46.18
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30 ERN 19.48
$0.98 ERN 14.65
$1.95 ERN 29.30
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.97 ERN 14.61
$0.58 ERN 8.76
$4.87 ERN 73.0
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 ERN 29.40
$1.30 ERN 19.55
$4.90 ERN 73.5
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.59 ERN 23.81
$0.98 ERN 14.70
$1.64 ERN 24.55
White Bread (500g)
$0.48 ERN 7.20
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.99 ERN 29.88
$1.34 ERN 20.07
$2.62 ERN 39.23
Eggs
$4.40 ERN 65.9
$3.85 ERN 57.8
$4.67 ERN 70.0
Local Cheese (1kg)
$2.95 ERN 44.24
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$27.15 ERN 407
$26.99 ERN 405
$27.32 ERN 410
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.15 ERN 152
$10.15 ERN 152
$10.15 ERN 152
Apples (1kg)
$12.41 ERN 186
$10.15 ERN 152
$16.92 ERN 254
Banana (1kg)
$1.24 ERN 18.64
$0.97 ERN 14.57
$1.46 ERN 21.85
Oranges (1kg)
$1.84 ERN 27.66
$1.63 ERN 24.44
$1.95 ERN 29.27
Tomato (1kg)
$1.19 ERN 17.91
$0.98 ERN 14.68
$1.30 ERN 19.53
Potato (1kg)
$1.72 ERN 25.76
$0.98 ERN 14.64
$1.95 ERN 29.27
Onion (1kg)
$1.10 ERN 16.44
$0.69 ERN 10.29
$1.23 ERN 18.44
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.66 ERN 9.86
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.20 ERN 33.01
$1.03 ERN 15.42
$3.08 ERN 46.27
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.98 ERN 29.67
-
Wine (Bottle)
$12.08 ERN 181
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.99 ERN 14.79
$0.99 ERN 14.79
$0.99 ERN 14.79
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.19 ERN 17.91
$1.02 ERN 15.31
$1.36 ERN 20.36
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.15 ERN 2.18
$0.15 ERN 2.18
$0.34 ERN 5.03
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.06 ERN 121
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.65 ERN 9.68
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.65 ERN 9.69
$0.62 ERN 9.23
$0.69 ERN 10.30
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.51 ERN 128
$6.82 ERN 102
$10.22 ERN 153
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.15 ERN 32.31
$1.99 ERN 29.78
$2.48 ERN 37.22
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$67.9K ERN 1.0M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$69.6K ERN 1.0M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$27.67 ERN 415
$25.16 ERN 377
$30.19 ERN 453
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$68.2 ERN 1,024
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$203 ERN 3,042
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$26.58 ERN 399
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.57 ERN 114
$5.05 ERN 75.7
$10.09 ERN 151
Cinema Ticket
$1.12 ERN 16.75
$1.02 ERN 15.23
$1.22 ERN 18.27
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$25.42 ERN 381
$25.42 ERN 381
$25.42 ERN 381
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,688 ERN 25.3K
$756 ERN 11.3K
$2,620 ERN 39.3K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$83.5 ERN 1,252
$30.35 ERN 455
$137 ERN 2,049
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$76.4 ERN 1,146
$30.56 ERN 458
$122 ERN 1,834
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$198 ERN 2,968
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$93.2 ERN 1,398
$39.24 ERN 589
$147 ERN 2,208
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$482 ERN 7,223
$304 ERN 4,562
$659 ERN 9,884
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$399 ERN 5,977
$199 ERN 2,989
$598 ERN 8,966
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$715 ERN 10.7K
$592 ERN 8,874
$838 ERN 12.6K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$661 ERN 9,914
$559 ERN 8,388
$763 ERN 11.4K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,248 ERN 18.7K
$187 ERN 2,807
$2,955 ERN 44.3K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,542 ERN 38.1K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12
-

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 2, 2026

Asmara Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

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Upload
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Latency
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Fixed Broadband

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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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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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