Cost of Living Comparison Between Sanaa and Sa'dahCost of Living Comparison Between Sanaa and Sa'dah
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $1,035 per month in Sanaa vs $766 in Sa'dah, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,625 per month in Sanaa vs $1,189 in Sa'dah, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,215 per month in Sanaa vs $1,611 in Sa'dah, rent included.
😐Sanaa costs about 35% more than Sa'dah, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both Sanaa and Sa'dah are more affordable than the global median – Sanaa24% lower, Sa'dah44% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sanaa
Sa'dah
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.27YER 1,485
$6.16YER 1,459
1.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.28YER 5,988
$25.34YER 6,001
-0.24%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.63YER 2,281
$9.36YER 2,217
2.88%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.95YER 461
$1.97YER 467
-1.02%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.56YER 605
$2.45YER 580
4.49%
Cappuccino
$3.77YER 893
$3.75YER 888
0.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11YER 263
$1.16YER 274
-4.31%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.59YER 139
$0.63YER 149
-6.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sanaa
Sa'dah
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.98YER 468
$2.07YER 491
-4.35%
White Bread(500g)
$1.64YER 388
$1.71YER 404
-4.09%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.04YER 484
$1.99YER 472
2.51%
Eggs
$3.56YER 844
$3.57YER 845
-0.28%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.45YER 4,133
$17.43YER 4,128
0.11%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.03YER 1,902
$8.26YER 1,955
-2.78%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.84YER 4,462
$18.81YER 4,456
0.16%
Apples(1kg)
$3.29YER 780
$3.35YER 794
-1.79%
Banana(1kg)
$0.99YER 235
$1.00YER 237
-1.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.15YER 509
$2.19YER 519
-1.83%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.63YER 385
$1.62YER 384
0.62%
Potato(1kg)
$1.45YER 345
$1.48YER 350
-2.03%
Onion(1kg)
$1.35YER 321
$1.37YER 324
-1.46%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.24YER 294
$1.21YER 287
2.48%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.64YER 151
$0.69YER 164
-7.25%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$3.39YER 803
$3.26YER 773
3.99%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.77YER 420
$1.86YER 440
-4.84%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.39YER 803
$3.41YER 807
-0.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.50YER 1,303
$5.52YER 1,307
-0.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Sanaa
Sa'dah
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.43YER 102
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$82.8YER 19.6K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.08YER 966
$4.22YER 1,000
-3.32%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.12YER 501
$2.15YER 510
-1.40%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.09YER 1,678
$7.03YER 1,666
0.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.09YER 496
$2.10YER 497
-0.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.0KYER 4.0M
$16.8KYER 4.0M
1.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.6KYER 8.4M
$35.1KYER 8.3M
1.21%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sanaa
Sa'dah
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$105YER 25.0K
$108YER 25.6K
-2.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.70YER 5,613
$23.19YER 5,491
2.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$101YER 23.9K
$103YER 24.4K
-2.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sanaa
Sa'dah
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$67.2YER 15.9K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.29YER 3,857
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.76YER 1,365
$6.05YER 1,432
-4.79%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sanaa
Sa'dah
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$117YER 27.7K
$115YER 27.2K
1.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,153YER 509.8K
$2,150YER 509.1K
0.12%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sanaa
Sa'dah
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.20YER 9,994
$42.74YER 10.1K
-1.26%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$123YER 29.1K
$121YER 28.7K
1.47%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$47.15YER 11.2K
$48.10YER 11.4K
-1.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$39.77YER 9,419
$40.30YER 9,545
-1.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sanaa
Sa'dah
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$219YER 51.9K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$94.2YER 22.3K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$399YER 94.5K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$266YER 62.9K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,060YER 961.5K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$789YER 186.7K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sanaa
Sa'dah
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$192YER 45.4K
$314YER 74.4K
-39.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.25
11.25
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sanaa: August 16, 2026
Last update for Sa'dah: August 18, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 64% higher in Sa'dah, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $25.00 in Sanaa versus $25.00 in Sa'dah. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $266 vs $270 – making Sanaa the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Sanaa vs Sa'dah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sa'dah cheaper than Sanaa?
Yes – Sanaa is pricier by about 35%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,553 per month in Sanaa and $1,150 in Sa'dah. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Sanaa and in Sa'dah?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,035 in Sanaa and $766 in Sa'dah. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $117 per month in Sanaa and $115 in Sa'dah. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Sanaa or in Sa'dah?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Sa'dah, where all-in costs run around $766, than in Sanaa at $1,035. In Sa'dah it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sanaa it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Sanaa or Sa'dah more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Sa'dah – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Sa'dah. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sanaa makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.