Cost of Living in Asmara - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,053 (excluding rent), and $1,455 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,248 (excluding rent), and $2,843 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.41 ERN 186
$4.03 ERN 60.4
$30.19 ERN 453
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.55 ERN 458
$20.37 ERN 305
$50.9 ERN 764
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.98 ERN 89.7
-
Cappuccino
$0.74 ERN 11.15
$0.65 ERN 9.70
$0.82 ERN 12.31
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84 ERN 27.67
$1.01 ERN 15.12
$3.02 ERN 45.37
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.32 ERN 19.78
$0.99 ERN 14.87
$1.98 ERN 29.75
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.03 ERN 15.42
$0.62 ERN 9.25
$5.14 ERN 77.1
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95 ERN 29.31
$1.30 ERN 19.49
$4.88 ERN 73.3
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.61 ERN 24.09
$0.99 ERN 14.87
$1.66 ERN 24.84
White Bread (500g)
$0.51 ERN 7.70
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.96 ERN 29.38
$1.32 ERN 19.74
$2.57 ERN 38.58
Eggs
$4.61 ERN 69.2
$4.04 ERN 60.7
$4.90 ERN 73.5
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.07 ERN 46.02
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$27.04 ERN 406
$26.87 ERN 403
$27.21 ERN 408
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.82 ERN 147
$9.82 ERN 147
$9.82 ERN 147
Apples (1kg)
$11.99 ERN 180
$9.81 ERN 147
$16.36 ERN 245
Banana (1kg)
$1.25 ERN 18.71
$0.97 ERN 14.62
$1.46 ERN 21.92
Oranges (1kg)
$1.91 ERN 28.72
$1.69 ERN 25.38
$2.03 ERN 30.39
Tomato (1kg)
$1.24 ERN 18.67
$1.02 ERN 15.31
$1.36 ERN 20.36
Potato (1kg)
$1.81 ERN 27.17
$1.03 ERN 15.44
$2.06 ERN 30.88
Onion (1kg)
$1.05 ERN 15.74
$0.66 ERN 9.85
$1.18 ERN 17.65
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.64 ERN 9.57
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.08 ERN 31.17
$0.97 ERN 14.56
$2.91 ERN 43.69
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.97 ERN 29.60
-
Wine (Bottle)
$11.89 ERN 178
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.98 ERN 14.65
$0.98 ERN 14.65
$0.98 ERN 14.65
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.19 ERN 17.82
$1.02 ERN 15.23
$1.35 ERN 20.26
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.13 ERN 1.93
$0.13 ERN 1.93
$0.30 ERN 4.45
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$7.92 ERN 119
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.69 ERN 10.41
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.60 ERN 9.00
$0.57 ERN 8.57
$0.64 ERN 9.57
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.37 ERN 126
$6.71 ERN 101
$10.05 ERN 151
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.21 ERN 33.12
$2.04 ERN 30.53
$2.54 ERN 38.16
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$67.2K ERN 1.0M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$70.9K ERN 1.1M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$27.44 ERN 412
$24.95 ERN 374
$29.94 ERN 449
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$67.5 ERN 1,012
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$197 ERN 2,951
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$27.32 ERN 410
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.49 ERN 112
$4.99 ERN 74.9
$9.98 ERN 150
Cinema Ticket
$1.07 ERN 16.04
$0.97 ERN 14.58
$1.17 ERN 17.50
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$25.24 ERN 379
$25.24 ERN 379
$25.24 ERN 379
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,708 ERN 25.6K
$765 ERN 11.5K
$2,651 ERN 39.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$83.7 ERN 1,256
$30.44 ERN 457
$137 ERN 2,055
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$75.2 ERN 1,128
$30.08 ERN 451
$120 ERN 1,805
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$204 ERN 3,052
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.2 ERN 1,427
$40.07 ERN 601
$150 ERN 2,254
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$473 ERN 7,089
$298 ERN 4,477
$647 ERN 9,701
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$392 ERN 5,882
$196 ERN 2,941
$588 ERN 8,823
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$737 ERN 11.1K
$610 ERN 9,147
$864 ERN 13.0K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$650 ERN 9,745
$550 ERN 8,246
$750 ERN 11.2K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,281 ERN 19.2K
$192 ERN 2,880
$3,032 ERN 45.5K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,503 ERN 37.6K
-
💵 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: April 12, 2026

Asmara Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
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Latency
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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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