😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $723 in Damascus versus $476 in Latakia.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,081 in Damascus versus $790 in Latakia.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,439 in Damascus versus $1,104 in Latakia.
😐Living in Damascus is roughly 52% more expensive than Latakia, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Damascus46% lower, Latakia65% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Damascus
Latakia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.07SYP 670
$4.75SYP 525
27.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.25SYP 3,011
$19.68SYP 2,175
38.47%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.45SYP 602
$5.11SYP 565
6.65%
Cappuccino
$1.49SYP 165
$0.66SYP 72.8
125.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12SYP 124
$0.70SYP 77.7
60.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72SYP 80.0
$0.37SYP 40.60
94.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.62SYP 179
$1.02SYP 113
58.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.46SYP 272
$1.73SYP 191
42.20%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Damascus
Latakia
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.98SYP 108
$0.75SYP 83.0
30.67%
White Bread(500g)
$0.62SYP 69.0
$0.58SYP 64.5
6.90%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70SYP 188
$0.99SYP 110
71.72%
Eggs
$1.88SYP 208
$1.82SYP 201
3.30%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.04SYP 336
$3.11SYP 344
-2.25%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.67SYP 847
$6.84SYP 756
12.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.26SYP 1,244
$11.49SYP 1,269
-2.00%
Apples(1kg)
$0.92SYP 102
$0.89SYP 98.0
3.37%
Banana(1kg)
$1.79SYP 198
$1.05SYP 116
70.48%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.00SYP 110
$0.69SYP 76.4
44.93%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.87SYP 96.6
$0.58SYP 64.6
50.00%
Potato(1kg)
$0.66SYP 72.7
$0.61SYP 67.4
8.20%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65SYP 72.2
$0.66SYP 73.1
-1.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.38SYP 41.96
$0.40SYP 44.24
-5.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.57SYP 63.3
$0.62SYP 69.0
-8.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.03SYP 335
$2.93SYP 324
3.41%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.00SYP 663
$5.03SYP 556
19.28%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.98SYP 109
$0.93SYP 103
5.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.82SYP 201
$1.85SYP 204
-1.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Damascus
Latakia
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.10SYP 11.54
$0.08SYP 8.61
25.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$17.18SYP 1,899
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.98SYP 109
$1.02SYP 113
-3.92%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.26SYP 139
$0.52SYP 57.8
142.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.39SYP 706
$6.63SYP 733
-3.62%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$3.59SYP 397
$0.95SYP 104
277.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.5KSYP 2.0M
$18.3KSYP 2.0M
1.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.2KSYP 2.3M
$21.0KSYP 2.3M
0.93%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Damascus
Latakia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$103SYP 11.4K
$39.89SYP 4,408
158.89%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.22SYP 908
$8.31SYP 918
-1.08%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$54.6SYP 6,036
$47.37SYP 5,234
15.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Damascus
Latakia
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.20SYP 1,679
$12.25SYP 1,353
24.08%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.41SYP 819
$4.02SYP 444
84.33%
Cinema Ticket
$3.07SYP 339
$1.11SYP 122
176.58%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Damascus
Latakia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$43.11SYP 4,763
$20.15SYP 2,227
113.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,799SYP 198.8K
$1,841SYP 203.4K
-2.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Damascus
Latakia
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$29.40SYP 3,248
$22.21SYP 2,455
32.37%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.02SYP 2,876
$23.71SYP 2,620
9.74%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$45.85SYP 5,067
$41.62SYP 4,599
10.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$56.4SYP 6,230
$40.45SYP 4,469
39.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Damascus
Latakia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$259SYP 28.6K
$247SYP 27.3K
4.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$169SYP 18.6K
$84.6SYP 9,349
99.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$522SYP 57.7K
$467SYP 51.6K
11.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$290SYP 32.1K
$245SYP 27.1K
18.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,694SYP 187.2K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$598SYP 66.1K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Damascus
Latakia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$44.01SYP 4,863
$58.1SYP 6,421
-24.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.75
13.75
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Damascus: May 31, 2026
Last update for Latakia: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $259 in Damascus and $247 in Latakia. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Latakia pays 32% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $27.00 in Damascus vs $20.00 in Latakia for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $168 vs $150 per month, with Latakia cheaper across the board.
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 Latakia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Damascus and Latakia?
Damascus and Latakia differ by about 52% in total monthly costs ($723 vs $476 including rent). Latakia is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Latakia earns 32% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Damascus and Latakia?
Rent for a central apartment: $259 in Damascus versus $247 in Latakia. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Damascus and Latakia?
Childcare runs $43.11 in Damascus versus $20.15 in Latakia. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Latakia – a meal for two runs $20.00 versus $27.00 in Damascus. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How far does $1,000 go in Damascus vs Latakia?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Latakia gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Damascus and Latakia?
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.
Where should expats move: Damascus or Latakia?
Expats usually find Latakia gentler on the wallet – expenses run 52% less than in Damascus. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.