Cost of Living Comparison Between Al Mukalla and Aden Cost of Living Comparison Between Al Mukalla and Aden

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $870 per month in Al Mukalla vs $1,401 in Aden, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,554 per month in Al Mukalla vs $2,398 in Aden, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,238 per month in Al Mukalla vs $3,394 in Aden, rent included.

Al Mukalla is about 38% cheaper than Aden, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Al Mukalla sits 35% below the global median, while Aden is 5% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Mukalla
Aden
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.72 YER 3,985
$13.40 YER 3,193
24.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.33 YER 8,895
$35.07 YER 8,358
6.44%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$16.27 YER 3,877
$10.09 YER 2,405
61.25%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$4.30 YER 1,025
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.71 YER 884
-
Cappuccino
$8.09 YER 1,929
$4.96 YER 1,183
63.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.77 YER 899
$2.03 YER 485
85.71%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78 YER 186
$0.80 YER 191
-2.50%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Mukalla
Aden
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
-
$4.13 YER 984
-
White Bread (500g)
$0.86 YER 205
$1.96 YER 467
-56.12%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$6.60 YER 1,572
$7.38 YER 1,759
-10.57%
Eggs
$7.29 YER 1,738
$5.82 YER 1,387
25.26%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.27 YER 3,401
$11.25 YER 2,680
26.84%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$23.34 YER 5,561
$16.84 YER 4,013
38.60%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$58.5 YER 13.9K
$39.24 YER 9,352
49.03%
Apples (1kg)
$12.76 YER 3,042
$9.50 YER 2,263
34.32%
Banana (1kg)
$4.83 YER 1,151
$2.58 YER 616
87.21%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.80 YER 1,144
$7.85 YER 1,871
-38.85%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.20 YER 764
$3.54 YER 845
-9.60%
Potato (1kg)
$5.21 YER 1,243
$3.43 YER 818
51.90%
Onion (1kg)
$4.16 YER 990
$3.23 YER 770
28.79%
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$0.65 YER 156
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.48 YER 591
$1.47 YER 351
68.71%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.67 YER 159
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.89 YER 450
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
-
$4.89 YER 1,165
-
🚌 Getting Around
Al Mukalla
Aden
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$1.11 YER 266
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$40.49 YER 9,649
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$2.61 YER 622
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$1.96 YER 466
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$5.47 YER 1,303
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$3.74 YER 891
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$16.8K YER 4.0M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$61.6K YER 14.7M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Mukalla
Aden
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$77.8 YER 18.5K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$9.90 YER 2,360
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$55.3 YER 13.2K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Mukalla
Aden
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$62.3 YER 14.8K
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$27.09 YER 6,456
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$5.63 YER 1,341
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Mukalla
Aden
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$145 YER 34.7K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$1,917 YER 456.7K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Mukalla
Aden
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$98.0 YER 23.4K
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$102 YER 24.2K
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$157 YER 37.4K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$185 YER 44.1K
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Mukalla
Aden
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$241 YER 57.4K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$178 YER 42.5K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$545 YER 129.8K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$517 YER 123.3K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$1,258 YER 299.7K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$840 YER 200.1K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Mukalla
Aden
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$456 YER 108.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
12.67
-

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

Last update for Al Mukalla: June 1, 2026

Last update for Aden: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $37.00 in Al Mukalla versus $35.00 in Aden. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $581 vs $499 – making Aden the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Al Mukalla vs Aden: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Al Mukalla or Aden?
Aden costs about 61% more than Al Mukalla, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Al Mukalla vs Aden?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,304 per month in Al Mukalla and $2,102 in Aden. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Al Mukalla compared to Aden?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $870 in Al Mukalla and $1,401 in Aden. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Are groceries more expensive in Al Mukalla or Aden?
Interestingly, groceries are about 17% cheaper in Aden – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Al Mukalla or Aden?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Al Mukalla, where all-in costs run around $870, than in Aden at $1,401. In Al Mukalla it covers expenses comfortably, while in Aden it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Al Mukalla – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Al Mukalla or Aden?
If budget matters most, go with Al Mukalla. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Aden makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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