😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $731 in Damascus versus $478 in Latakia.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,090 in Damascus versus $794 in Latakia.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,449 in Damascus versus $1,109 in Latakia.
🌍Living in Damascus is roughly 53% more expensive than in Latakia, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Damascus45% lower, Latakia64% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Damascus
Latakia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.06SYP 737
$4.87SYP 592
24.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.69SYP 3,365
$20.16SYP 2,451
37.35%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.56SYP 676
$5.01SYP 609
10.98%
Cappuccino
$1.49SYP 181
$0.62SYP 75.7
140.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.17SYP 142
$0.74SYP 90.1
58.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73SYP 89.3
$0.36SYP 43.84
102.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.58SYP 192
$1.02SYP 124
54.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53SYP 308
$1.66SYP 202
52.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Damascus
Latakia
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.97SYP 118
$0.81SYP 98.3
19.75%
White Bread(500g)
$0.58SYP 70.5
$0.64SYP 77.6
-9.38%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.74SYP 212
$0.99SYP 121
75.76%
Eggs
$1.92SYP 233
$1.90SYP 230
1.05%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.10SYP 376
$3.16SYP 384
-1.90%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.44SYP 905
$6.64SYP 807
12.05%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.45SYP 1,391
$11.17SYP 1,358
2.51%
Apples(1kg)
$0.86SYP 105
$0.81SYP 99.0
6.17%
Banana(1kg)
$1.82SYP 222
$1.01SYP 123
80.20%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.99SYP 120
$0.70SYP 84.7
41.43%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.89SYP 109
$0.64SYP 77.8
39.06%
Potato(1kg)
$0.66SYP 80.2
$0.63SYP 76.2
4.76%
Onion(1kg)
$0.62SYP 75.1
$0.67SYP 81.0
-7.46%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.40SYP 48.96
$0.40SYP 49.02
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.58SYP 70.0
$0.58SYP 70.2
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.96SYP 359
$2.97SYP 360
-0.34%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.90SYP 960
$3.95SYP 481
100.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.02SYP 124
$0.98SYP 119
4.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.82SYP 221
$1.83SYP 222
-0.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Damascus
Latakia
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.10SYP 12.20
$0.06SYP 7.33
66.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$17.23SYP 2,094
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.98SYP 119
$0.98SYP 119
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.27SYP 154
$0.48SYP 58.6
164.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.38SYP 775
$6.32SYP 768
0.95%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$3.66SYP 445
$0.87SYP 106
320.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.8KSYP 2.3M
$18.6KSYP 2.3M
0.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.7KSYP 2.5M
$20.7KSYP 2.5M
0.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Damascus
Latakia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$103SYP 12.5K
$40.09SYP 4,873
155.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.64SYP 1,050
$8.38SYP 1,018
3.10%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$54.6SYP 6,641
$46.58SYP 5,661
17.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Damascus
Latakia
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.45SYP 1,878
$12.06SYP 1,466
28.11%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.36SYP 894
$3.95SYP 480
86.33%
Cinema Ticket
$2.97SYP 361
$1.06SYP 129
180.19%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Damascus
Latakia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$42.91SYP 5,215
$20.51SYP 2,493
109.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,836SYP 223.2K
$1,795SYP 218.2K
2.29%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Damascus
Latakia
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$29.54SYP 3,591
$21.58SYP 2,623
36.89%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.39SYP 3,086
$24.34SYP 2,958
4.31%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$44.45SYP 5,403
$41.34SYP 5,025
7.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$56.7SYP 6,896
$41.72SYP 5,071
35.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Damascus
Latakia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$269SYP 32.6K
$249SYP 30.2K
8.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$173SYP 21.0K
$84.4SYP 10.3K
104.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$521SYP 63.3K
$472SYP 57.4K
10.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$290SYP 35.3K
$241SYP 29.3K
20.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,747SYP 212.4K
$708SYP 86.1K
146.62%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$596SYP 72.4K
$252SYP 30.7K
136.17%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Damascus
Latakia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$60.2SYP 7,319
$58.1SYP 7,061
3.65%
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: July 20, 2026
Last update for Latakia: July 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $269 in Damascus and $249 in Latakia. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Damascus pays 4% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $28.00 in Damascus vs $20.00 in Latakia for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $171 vs $147 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 in Latakia?
Damascus and Latakia differ by about 53% in total monthly costs ($731 vs $478 including rent). Latakia is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Damascus or Latakia?
Average pay runs 4% higher in Damascus, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Damascus and in Latakia?
Rent for a central apartment: $269 in Damascus versus $249 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 $42.91 in Damascus versus $20.51 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 $28.00 in Damascus. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How far does $1,000 go in Damascus compared to 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 53% less than in Damascus. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.