Cost of Living Comparison Between Borama and Hargeysa Cost of Living Comparison Between Borama and Hargeysa

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $92.7 per month in Borama vs $679 in Hargeysa, rent included.

A couple spends around $239 per month in Borama vs $1,009 in Hargeysa, rent included.

A family of three spends $386 per month in Borama vs $1,339 in Hargeysa, rent included.

Borama is about 86% cheaper than Hargeysa, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Borama and Hargeysa are more affordable than the global median – Borama 93% lower, Hargeysa 49% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Borama
Hargeysa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$2.65 SOS 1,506
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$15.02 SOS 8,532
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$5.58 SOS 3,169
-
Cappuccino
-
$1.15 SOS 656
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.95 SOS 538
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.48 SOS 274
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$10.18 SOS 5,781
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$9.80 SOS 5,568
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Borama
Hargeysa
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.98 SOS 555
$1.34 SOS 760
-26.87%
White Bread (500g)
-
$0.72 SOS 409
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
-
$1.66 SOS 943
-
Eggs
$3.02 SOS 1,716
$2.73 SOS 1,548
10.62%
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$2.02 SOS 1,148
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.97 SOS 1,686
$6.09 SOS 3,457
-51.23%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
-
$4.53 SOS 2,570
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.03 SOS 1,154
$3.41 SOS 1,936
-40.47%
Banana (1kg)
$1.01 SOS 577
$2.03 SOS 1,151
-50.25%
Oranges (1kg)
-
$2.70 SOS 1,535
-
Tomato (1kg)
-
$0.84 SOS 479
-
Potato (1kg)
-
$1.03 SOS 582
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$1.31 SOS 742
-
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$0.52 SOS 298
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.79 SOS 451
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
-
$0.98 SOS 556
-
🚌 Getting Around
Borama
Hargeysa
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.27 SOS 152
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$30.10 SOS 17.1K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$3.02 SOS 1,717
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.93 SOS 531
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$6.90 SOS 3,921
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$1.00 SOS 570
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Borama
Hargeysa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$112 SOS 63.5K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$7.48 SOS 4,249
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$27.10 SOS 15.4K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Borama
Hargeysa
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$34.36 SOS 19.5K
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$9.08 SOS 5,157
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$4.91 SOS 2,786
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Borama
Hargeysa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$37.39 SOS 21.2K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$600 SOS 340.6K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Borama
Hargeysa
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$22.07 SOS 12.5K
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$20.21 SOS 11.5K
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$20.29 SOS 11.5K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$30.40 SOS 17.3K
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Borama
Hargeysa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$59.7 SOS 33.9K
$187 SOS 106.2K
-68.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$39.84 SOS 22.6K
$123 SOS 69.6K
-67.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$304 SOS 172.9K
$448 SOS 254.5K
-32.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$248 SOS 140.9K
$246 SOS 139.9K
0.69%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$5,019 SOS 2.9M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Borama
Hargeysa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$300 SOS 170.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
20
-

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

Last update for Borama: July 14, 2026

Last update for Hargeysa: July 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $59.7 in Borama versus $187 in Hargeysa. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

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
Borama vs Hargeysa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Borama and in Hargeysa compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $92.7 in Borama, $679 in Hargeysa – roughly 633% apart. Hargeysa costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Borama compared to Hargeysa?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $139 per month in Borama and $1,019 in Hargeysa. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Borama and Hargeysa?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Borama, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Borama or Hargeysa?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $92.7 in Borama and $679 in Hargeysa. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 183% more in Hargeysa, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
How far does $1,200 go in Borama compared to Hargeysa?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $92.7 in Borama and $679 in Hargeysa, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Where should families live: Borama or Hargeysa?
Families tend to lean toward Borama – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is Borama or Hargeysa safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Borama and Hargeysa?
If budget matters most, go with Borama. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hargeysa makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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