Cost of Living Comparison Between Damascus and Al-Qusayr Cost of Living Comparison Between Damascus and Al-Qusayr

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $724 in Damascus versus $520 in Al-Qusayr.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,086 in Damascus versus $813 in Al-Qusayr.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,447 in Damascus versus $1,106 in Al-Qusayr.

Living in Damascus is roughly 39% more expensive than in Al-Qusayr, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both cities sit below the global median: Damascus 46% lower, Al-Qusayr 61% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.87 SYP 713

$5.85 SYP 710

0.34%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$27.58 SYP 3,351

$27.55 SYP 3,347

0.11%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.60 SYP 681

$5.34 SYP 648

4.87%

Cappuccino

$1.47 SYP 179

$1.55 SYP 189

-5.16%

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

$1.18 SYP 143

$1.02 SYP 124

15.69%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.68 SYP 82.8

$0.67 SYP 81.9

1.49%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.65 SYP 200

$1.63 SYP 198

1.23%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.52 SYP 306

$2.53 SYP 307

-0.40%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.97 SYP 118

$1.03 SYP 126

-5.83%

White Bread (500g)

$0.58 SYP 70.7

$0.59 SYP 71.8

-1.69%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.70 SYP 207

$1.73 SYP 211

-1.73%

Eggs

$1.85 SYP 224

$1.91 SYP 233

-3.14%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.06 SYP 372

$3.11 SYP 378

-1.61%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.86 SYP 955

$7.54 SYP 916

4.24%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.33 SYP 1,376

$11.22 SYP 1,363

0.98%

Apples (1kg)

$0.86 SYP 105

$0.92 SYP 112

-6.52%

Banana (1kg)

$1.75 SYP 213

$1.80 SYP 218

-2.78%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.99 SYP 120

Tomato (1kg)

$0.88 SYP 106

$0.91 SYP 111

-3.30%

Potato (1kg)

$0.61 SYP 74.3

$0.66 SYP 79.7

-7.58%

Onion (1kg)

$0.67 SYP 81.4

$0.62 SYP 75.8

8.06%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.41 SYP 49.49

$0.37 SYP 45.32

10.81%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.63 SYP 76.3

$0.63 SYP 76.5

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.92 SYP 355

$2.95 SYP 358

-1.02%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.15 SYP 990

$8.11 SYP 985

0.49%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 SYP 124

$0.98 SYP 119

4.08%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.83 SYP 222

$1.81 SYP 220

1.10%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.09 SYP 11.38

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.20 SYP 2,090

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.02 SYP 124

$1.03 SYP 125

-0.97%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.23 SYP 150

$1.02 SYP 124

20.59%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.46 SYP 785

$0.98 SYP 119

559.18%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$3.61 SYP 438

$1.03 SYP 125

250.49%

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

$18.5K SYP 2.2M

$18.2K SYP 2.2M

1.79%

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

$21.1K SYP 2.6M

$21.3K SYP 2.6M

-0.93%

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

$100 SYP 12.2K

-0.15%

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

$8.27 SYP 1,005

$8.38 SYP 1,018

-1.31%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$56.0 SYP 6,806

$54.3 SYP 6,592

3.24%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$15.14 SYP 1,839

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.54 SYP 916

Cinema Ticket

$3.08 SYP 375

$3.04 SYP 370

1.32%

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

$43.00 SYP 5,224

$43.07 SYP 5,233

-0.16%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,820 SYP 221.1K

$1,827 SYP 222.0K

-0.41%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$29.34 SYP 3,565

$29.30 SYP 3,560

0.14%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.25 SYP 3,190

$25.87 SYP 3,144

1.47%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$44.66 SYP 5,426

$45.46 SYP 5,524

-1.76%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$55.7 SYP 6,766

$55.1 SYP 6,699

1.00%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$266 SYP 32.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$169 SYP 20.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$531 SYP 64.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$290 SYP 35.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,731 SYP 210.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$617 SYP 75.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$71.9 SYP 8,730

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.75

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

Last update for Damascus: July 27, 2026

Last update for Al-Qusayr: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out: $28.00 in Damascus vs $28.00 in Al-Qusayr. Groceries flip the comparison at $173 vs $172, with Al-Qusayr cheaper for home cooking.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Damascus vs Al-Qusayr: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Al-Qusayr is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 39% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,086 in Damascus and $780 in Al-Qusayr to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Supermarket bills run roughly 0% higher in Damascus. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $724 per month in Damascus versus $520 in Al-Qusayr – a 39% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Al-Qusayr gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Expats usually find Al-Qusayr gentler on the wallet – expenses run 39% less than in Damascus. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.