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 $869 per month in Al Mukalla vs $1,384 in Aden, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,546 per month in Al Mukalla vs $2,360 in Aden, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,222 per month in Al Mukalla vs $3,336 in Aden, rent included.

Al Mukalla is about 37% cheaper than Aden, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Al Mukalla sits 35% below the global median, while Aden is 4% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.60 YER 3,930

$13.42 YER 3,176

23.70%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$37.53 YER 8,883

$35.21 YER 8,334

6.59%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$16.58 YER 3,924

$10.13 YER 2,397

63.67%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.37 YER 1,035

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.83 YER 907

Cappuccino

$8.15 YER 1,929

$5.02 YER 1,188

62.35%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.77 YER 891

$2.02 YER 477

86.63%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.83 YER 197

$0.80 YER 189

3.75%

Milk (1 liter)

$4.30 YER 1,018

White Bread (500g)

$0.78 YER 185

$2.02 YER 479

-61.39%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.46 YER 1,528

$7.14 YER 1,689

-9.52%

Eggs

$7.18 YER 1,700

$5.77 YER 1,366

24.44%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.54 YER 3,442

$11.17 YER 2,643

30.17%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$22.96 YER 5,434

$16.69 YER 3,950

37.57%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$56.6 YER 13.4K

$38.73 YER 9,166

46.17%

Apples (1kg)

$12.91 YER 3,056

$9.39 YER 2,222

37.49%

Banana (1kg)

$4.70 YER 1,112

$2.59 YER 614

81.47%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.86 YER 1,151

$7.58 YER 1,794

-35.88%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.25 YER 770

$3.59 YER 850

-9.47%

Potato (1kg)

$5.46 YER 1,292

$3.45 YER 817

58.26%

Onion (1kg)

$4.14 YER 980

$3.32 YER 785

24.70%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 YER 157

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.52 YER 596

$1.48 YER 349

70.27%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 YER 171

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.89 YER 447

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.86 YER 1,151

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.16 YER 275

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.75 YER 9,646

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.65 YER 628

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.97 YER 466

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.72 YER 1,355

Gasoline (1 liter)

$3.69 YER 874

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$16.4K YER 3.9M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$60.4K YER 14.3M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$79.0 YER 18.7K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$9.90 YER 2,343

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$55.6 YER 13.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 YER 15.1K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.02 YER 6,394

Cinema Ticket

$5.58 YER 1,321

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

$147 YER 34.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,870 YER 442.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$96.8 YER 22.9K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$102 YER 24.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$158 YER 37.4K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$187 YER 44.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$240 YER 56.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$177 YER 41.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$528 YER 124.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$530 YER 125.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,231 YER 291.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$850 YER 201.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$459 YER 108.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.67

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

Last update for Al Mukalla: July 12, 2026

Last update for Aden: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Al Mukalla versus $35.00 in Aden. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $574 vs $496 – 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

Aden costs about 59% 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.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,304 per month in Al Mukalla and $2,076 in Aden. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $869 in Al Mukalla and $1,384 in Aden. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 16% cheaper in Aden – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Al Mukalla, where all-in costs run around $869, than in Aden at $1,384. In Al Mukalla it covers expenses comfortably, while in Aden it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

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.

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.