For one person, living is cheaper in Djibouti: $2,068 a month against $2,734 in the United States, rent and utilities included – about $8,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.
How much you'll spend in the United States and in Djibouti
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in the United States and in Djibouti actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends $2,734 per month in the United States vs $2,068 in Djibouti, rent included.
United States $2,734
Djibouti $2,068
A couple spends around $3,985 per month in the United States vs $3,229 in Djibouti, rent included.
United States $3,985
Djibouti $3,229
A family of three spends $5,235 per month in the United States vs $4,389 in Djibouti, rent included.
United States $5,235
Djibouti $4,389
📏
The regional cost range is wider in the United States ($979–$5,160) than in Djibouti ($2,069–$2,069), so city choice matters more there.
🌍
The cost of living in the United States is about 32% higher than in Djibouti on average.
📊
Both the United States and Djibouti are pricier than the global median – the United States by 101%, Djibouti by 52%.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Djibouti
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.03$20.03
$9.60DJF 1,710
108.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.0$80.0
$73.3DJF 13.0K
9.24%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.80$11.80
$15.52DJF 2,764
-23.97%
Cappuccino
$5.55$5.55
$3.45DJF 614
60.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.66$2.66
$1.86DJF 330
43.01%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17$2.17
$1.68DJF 299
29.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.12$6.12
$6.84DJF 1,218
-10.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.94$7.94
$8.21DJF 1,462
-3.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Djibouti
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.04$1.04
$2.85DJF 508
-63.51%
White Bread(500g)
$3.59$3.59
$9.42DJF 1,677
-61.89%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.52$4.52
$2.79DJF 496
62.01%
Eggs
$4.28$4.28
$5.84DJF 1,041
-26.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.22$13.22
$9.73DJF 1,732
35.87%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.60$12.60
$18.01DJF 3,207
-30.04%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.60$17.60
$12.30DJF 2,190
43.09%
Apples(1kg)
$5.30$5.30
$3.71DJF 661
42.86%
Banana(1kg)
$1.69$1.69
$1.20DJF 214
40.83%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.44$4.44
$2.63DJF 468
68.82%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.77$4.77
$1.58DJF 281
201.90%
Potato(1kg)
$2.97$2.97
$1.56DJF 278
90.38%
Onion(1kg)
$3.15$3.15
$1.69DJF 301
86.39%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.20$2.20
$5.71DJF 1,016
-61.47%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.35$2.35
$0.54DJF 96.0
335.19%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.98$10.98
$1.94DJF 346
465.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.05$15.05
$20.72DJF 3,690
-27.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.06$2.06
$2.39DJF 426
-13.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79$3.79
$3.45DJF 615
9.86%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Djibouti
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.94$1.94
$0.43DJF 77.0
351.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$59.4$59.4
$42.59DJF 7,585
39.45%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.58$3.58
$2.84DJF 506
26.06%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.88$1.88
$5.59DJF 995
-66.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.84$29.84
$28.15DJF 5,014
6.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.02$1.02
$2.23DJF 398
-54.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.8K$28.8K
$34.0KDJF 6.0M
-15.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K$26.2K
$33.3KDJF 5.9M
-21.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Djibouti
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$218$218
$526DJF 93.6K
-58.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$62.5$62.5
$32.11DJF 5,718
94.55%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.5$74.5
$59.9DJF 10.7K
24.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Djibouti
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.86$41.86
$85.8DJF 15.3K
-51.22%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.81$22.81
$28.63DJF 5,098
-20.33%
Cinema Ticket
$14.70$14.70
$12.46DJF 2,218
17.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Djibouti
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,489$1,489
$338DJF 60.2K
340.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$25.3K$25.3K
$8,942DJF 1.6M
182.39%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Djibouti
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.3$54.3
$42.81DJF 7,624
26.93%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.71$42.71
$19.91DJF 3,545
114.52%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.1$94.1
$121DJF 21.6K
-22.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114$114
$55.1DJF 9,813
106.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Djibouti
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,659$1,659
$675DJF 120.2K
145.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,348$1,348
$472DJF 84.1K
185.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,682$2,682
$999DJF 177.9K
168.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,169$2,169
$1,263DJF 224.9K
71.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,283$3,283
$12.6KDJF 2.2M
-73.92%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,482$2,482
$6,183DJF 1.1M
-59.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Djibouti
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,296$4,296
$2,790DJF 496.8K
54.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.55
13.07
-49.89%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for the United States: October 25, 2026
Last update for Djibouti: October 26, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🏠Accommodation & Living
United States
$1.3K 49.3%
Djibouti
$472 22.8% ↓ 64.9%$875
🛒Groceries & Markets
United States
$415 15.2%
Djibouti
$455 22% ↑ 9.6%$40
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
$355 13%
Djibouti
$618 29.9% ↑ 74%$263
🍽Eating Out
United States
$328 12%
Djibouti
$230 11.1% ↓ 30%$98
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
United States
$137 5%
Djibouti
$108 5.2% ↓ 21.5%$30
🚌Getting Around
United States
$80 2.9%
Djibouti
$75 3.6% ↓ 6.3%$5
🎉Sport & Entertainment
United States
$71 2.6%
Djibouti
$111 5.4% ↑ 55.4%$39
🏠Accommodation & Living
United States
$2.2K 41.4%
Djibouti
$1.3K 28.8% ↓ 41.8%$906
🛒Groceries & Markets
United States
$953 18.2%
Djibouti
$1K 23.4% ↑ 7.9%$76
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
$417 8%
Djibouti
$650 14.8% ↑ 55.7%$232
🍽Eating Out
United States
$1.1K 20.3%
Djibouti
$808 18.4% ↓ 23.9%$254
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
United States
$305 5.8%
Djibouti
$239 5.5% ↓ 21.5%$66
🚌Getting Around
United States
$164 3.1%
Djibouti
$151 3.4% ↓ 7.9%$13
🎉Sport & Entertainment
United States
$165 3.2%
Djibouti
$250 5.7% ↑ 51.3%$85
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $1,620 in the United States vs $672 in Djibouti. For reference, capital cities sit at $2,768 in Washington, DC and $672 in Djibouti.
💰Average salary: $4,549 in the United States vs $2,785 in Djibouti. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 141% higher in the United States.
⭐Public transport is 47% more expensive in the United States.
⭐Salaries are 63% higher in the United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in the United States.
United States→Djibouti12,610 km≈ 16 h nonstop flight
From you
United States
Djibouti
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
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
United States vs Djibouti: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is cheaper: Djibouti or the United States?
Djibouti is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 24% lower on average.
Is rent more expensive in Djibouti or in the United States?
Housing costs more in the United States: a central one-bedroom averages $1,620 versus $672 in Djibouti.
Which country is better for expats: Djibouti or the United States?
Djibouti is the budget-friendly choice for expats. But cost isn’t everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.
United States vs other spots: cost of living compared