Cost of Living Comparison Between Monastir and Sfax Cost of Living Comparison Between Monastir and Sfax

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $730 in Monastir versus $641 in Sfax.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,174 in Monastir versus $1,006 in Sfax.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,619 in Monastir versus $1,372 in Sfax.

Living in Monastir is roughly 14% more expensive than in Sfax, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities sit below the global median: Monastir 47% lower, Sfax 54% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Monastir
Sfax
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.04 TND 14.56
$3.51 TND 10.13
43.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.90 TND 63.2
$20.77 TND 59.9
5.44%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.26 TND 18.05
$5.23 TND 15.10
19.69%
Cappuccino
$1.09 TND 3.14
$0.76 TND 2.19
43.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78 TND 2.24
$0.62 TND 1.78
25.81%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40 TND 1.15
$0.28 TND 0.82
42.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.67 TND 4.81
$1.66 TND 4.80
0.60%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 TND 5.05
$2.09 TND 6.02
-16.27%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Monastir
Sfax
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.51 TND 1.48
$0.48 TND 1.38
6.25%
White Bread (500g)
$0.17 TND 0.50
$0.23 TND 0.66
-26.09%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.73 TND 4.98
$1.36 TND 3.92
27.21%
Eggs
$1.72 TND 4.96
$1.65 TND 4.76
4.24%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.80 TND 39.83
$12.74 TND 36.75
8.32%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.21 TND 17.93
$5.88 TND 16.96
5.61%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.31 TND 44.19
$14.48 TND 41.79
5.73%
Apples (1kg)
$1.98 TND 5.72
$1.88 TND 5.43
5.32%
Banana (1kg)
$4.73 TND 13.66
$3.18 TND 9.17
48.74%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.16 TND 3.35
$1.07 TND 3.08
8.41%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.82 TND 2.36
$0.70 TND 2.02
17.14%
Potato (1kg)
$0.88 TND 2.54
$0.78 TND 2.24
12.82%
Onion (1kg)
$0.71 TND 2.04
$0.78 TND 2.26
-8.97%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.47 TND 1.34
$0.59 TND 1.69
-20.34%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.31 TND 0.88
$0.35 TND 1.01
-11.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.86 TND 11.12
$3.94 TND 11.37
-2.03%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.04 TND 14.54
$6.89 TND 19.88
-26.85%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.25 TND 3.60
$1.20 TND 3.45
4.17%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.34 TND 3.88
$1.08 TND 3.12
24.07%
🚌 Getting Around
Monastir
Sfax
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.32 TND 0.93
$0.18 TND 0.52
77.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.46 TND 33.08
$10.21 TND 29.46
12.24%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.32 TND 0.93
$0.34 TND 0.98
-5.88%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.32 TND 0.91
$0.32 TND 0.94
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.82 TND 5.25
$7.48 TND 21.59
-75.67%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.84 TND 2.43
$0.89 TND 2.57
-5.62%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$40.3K TND 116.3K
$37.6K TND 108.6K
7.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.0K TND 109.7K
$35.8K TND 103.2K
6.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Monastir
Sfax
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$70.6 TND 204
$45.49 TND 131
55.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.78 TND 31.11
$9.58 TND 27.64
12.53%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.29 TND 58.5
$14.73 TND 42.51
37.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Monastir
Sfax
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$24.25 TND 70.0
$28.12 TND 81.1
-13.76%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.82 TND 19.68
$7.56 TND 21.81
-9.79%
Cinema Ticket
$6.03 TND 17.39
$4.68 TND 13.51
28.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Monastir
Sfax
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$97.3 TND 281
$99.6 TND 287
-2.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,077 TND 8,878
$2,515 TND 7,257
22.35%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Monastir
Sfax
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.35 TND 142
$44.53 TND 128
10.82%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$66.2 TND 191
$36.53 TND 105
81.25%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$112 TND 323
$118 TND 340
-5.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111 TND 320
$67.6 TND 195
63.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Monastir
Sfax
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$209 TND 603
$196 TND 566
6.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$124 TND 359
$136 TND 393
-8.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$376 TND 1,085
$347 TND 1,000
8.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$246 TND 710
$224 TND 647
9.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,246 TND 3,596
$1,018 TND 2,939
22.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$626 TND 1,806
$748 TND 2,158
-16.30%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Monastir
Sfax
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$356 TND 1,026
$342 TND 988
3.94%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11
13.6
-19.12%

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

Last update for Monastir: September 8, 2026

Last update for Sfax: September 5, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $209 in Monastir and $196 in Sfax. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Monastir 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: $22.00 in Monastir vs $21.00 in Sfax for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $215 vs $199 per month, with Sfax cheaper across the board.

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
Monastir vs Sfax: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sfax cheaper than Monastir?
Sfax is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 14% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Monastir or Sfax?
Average pay runs 4% higher in Monastir, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Monastir and Sfax?
Rent for a central apartment: $209 in Monastir versus $196 in Sfax. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Monastir and in Sfax?
All in, you'll spend $730 per month in Monastir versus $641 in Sfax – a 14% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Sfax runs roughly 12% less than in Monastir. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,200 enough for either Monastir or Sfax?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Sfax gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Monastir or in Sfax?
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.
Which city is safer, Monastir or Sfax?
Safety-wise, Monastir and Sfax are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Sfax gentler on the wallet – expenses run 14% less than in Monastir. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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