Cost of Living Comparison Between Sanaa and Sa'dah Cost of Living Comparison Between Sanaa and Sa'dah

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,032 per month in Sanaa vs $763 in Sa'dah, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,613 per month in Sanaa vs $1,188 in Sa'dah, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,194 per month in Sanaa vs $1,612 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 – Sanaa 24% lower, Sa'dah 43% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sanaa
Sa'dah
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.51 YER 1,538
$6.48 YER 1,531
0.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.85 YER 6,103
$25.52 YER 6,026
1.29%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.67 YER 2,283
$9.46 YER 2,233
2.22%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.06 YER 486
$2.01 YER 475
2.49%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.57 YER 606
$2.61 YER 615
-1.53%
Cappuccino
$3.68 YER 868
$3.70 YER 873
-0.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.17 YER 276
$1.12 YER 264
4.46%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.54 YER 128
$0.65 YER 153
-16.92%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sanaa
Sa'dah
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.06 YER 487
$2.08 YER 490
-0.96%
White Bread (500g)
$1.65 YER 390
$1.63 YER 384
1.23%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.08 YER 492
$2.06 YER 486
0.97%
Eggs
$3.75 YER 884
$3.68 YER 869
1.90%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.19 YER 4,058
$17.32 YER 4,090
-0.75%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.18 YER 1,932
$8.34 YER 1,969
-1.92%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.96 YER 4,476
$19.04 YER 4,496
-0.42%
Apples (1kg)
$3.29 YER 777
$3.25 YER 768
1.23%
Banana (1kg)
$1.00 YER 237
$1.01 YER 239
-0.99%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.15 YER 508
$2.14 YER 505
0.47%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.73 YER 408
$1.67 YER 394
3.59%
Potato (1kg)
$1.49 YER 351
$1.47 YER 346
1.36%
Onion (1kg)
$1.37 YER 323
$1.37 YER 323
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.21 YER 285
$1.21 YER 286
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.69 YER 163
$0.68 YER 161
1.47%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$3.30 YER 779
$3.37 YER 795
-2.08%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.87 YER 442
$1.88 YER 444
-0.53%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.34 YER 788
$3.43 YER 809
-2.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.64 YER 1,332
$5.39 YER 1,272
4.64%
🚌 Getting Around
Sanaa
Sa'dah
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.44 YER 104
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$86.2 YER 20.3K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.17 YER 985
$4.10 YER 969
1.71%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.16 YER 509
$2.10 YER 495
2.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.17 YER 1,693
$7.29 YER 1,722
-1.65%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.10 YER 495
$2.12 YER 501
-0.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.6K YER 3.9M
$16.7K YER 3.9M
-0.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.5K YER 8.1M
$34.9K YER 8.2M
-1.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sanaa
Sa'dah
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$106 YER 25.1K
$106 YER 25.0K
0.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.47 YER 5,542
$23.16 YER 5,467
1.34%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$101 YER 23.9K
$102 YER 24.1K
-0.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sanaa
Sa'dah
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$66.0 YER 15.6K
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.99 YER 3,775
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.05 YER 1,429
$5.89 YER 1,390
2.72%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sanaa
Sa'dah
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$116 YER 27.4K
$118 YER 27.8K
-1.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,163 YER 510.8K
$2,174 YER 513.2K
-0.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sanaa
Sa'dah
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.68 YER 10.1K
$42.97 YER 10.1K
-0.67%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$121 YER 28.7K
$122 YER 28.9K
-0.87%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$47.45 YER 11.2K
$46.99 YER 11.1K
0.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.98 YER 9,676
$41.49 YER 9,795
-1.23%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sanaa
Sa'dah
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$218 YER 51.4K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$94.9 YER 22.4K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$406 YER 95.8K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$276 YER 65.2K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,234 YER 999.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$811 YER 191.6K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sanaa
Sa'dah
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$196 YER 46.2K
$312 YER 73.7K
-37.35%
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: September 29, 2026

Last update for Sa'dah: September 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 60% 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 $26.00 in Sanaa versus $26.00 in Sa'dah. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $270 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 $1,547 per month in Sanaa and $1,145 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 $1,032 in Sanaa and $763 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 $116 per month in Sanaa and $118 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 $763, than in Sanaa at $1,032. 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.

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