Cost of Living Comparison Between Yemen and United States Cost of Living Comparison Between Yemen and United States

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $626 per month in Yemen vs $2,643 in United States, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,072 per month in Yemen vs $3,857 in United States, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,518 per month in Yemen vs $5,070 in United States, rent included.

Yemen is roughly 76% cheaper than United States on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Yemen sits 53% below the global median, while United States is 97% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Yemen
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.45 YER 1,776
$20.04 $20.04
-62.82%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.23 YER 6,488
$76.0 $76.0
-64.18%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.22 YER 2,436
$11.42 $11.42
-10.51%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.93 YER 698
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79 YER 903
-
-
Cappuccino
$4.21 YER 1,002
$5.39 $5.39
-21.89%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79 YER 428
$2.55 $2.55
-29.80%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70 YER 166
$2.04 $2.04
-65.69%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$6.14 $6.14
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$7.18 $7.18
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Yemen
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.64 YER 630
$1.04 $1.04
153.85%
White Bread (500g)
$1.41 YER 337
$3.65 $3.65
-61.37%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.11 YER 980
$4.73 $4.73
-13.11%
Eggs
$4.83 YER 1,152
$4.38 $4.38
10.27%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.38 YER 2,234
$12.76 $12.76
-26.49%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.46 YER 2,492
$12.42 $12.42
-15.78%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$26.76 YER 6,377
$16.41 $16.41
63.07%
Apples (1kg)
$5.72 YER 1,364
$5.42 $5.42
5.54%
Banana (1kg)
$2.01 YER 479
$1.65 $1.65
21.82%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.18 YER 996
$4.59 $4.59
-8.93%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.69 YER 641
$4.91 $4.91
-45.21%
Potato (1kg)
$2.43 YER 579
$2.92 $2.92
-16.78%
Onion (1kg)
$2.03 YER 483
$3.13 $3.13
-35.14%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.67 YER 159
$2.26 $2.26
-70.35%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.05 YER 250
$2.30 $2.30
-54.35%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$2.49 YER 592
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.52 YER 362
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.80 YER 667
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.89 YER 1,166
$9.89 $9.89
-50.56%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$15.10 $15.10
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.91 $1.91
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.66 $3.66
-
🚌 Getting Around
Yemen
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.39 YER 93.4
$2.48 $2.48
-84.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$82.2 YER 19.6K
$64.8 $64.8
26.79%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.49 YER 592
$3.84 $3.84
-35.16%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$4.00 YER 953
$1.76 $1.76
127.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.03 YER 1,436
$30.58 $30.58
-80.28%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.96 YER 706
$0.96 $0.96
208.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.3K YER 3.9M
$30.5K $30.5K
-46.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$44.6K YER 10.6M
$26.4K $26.4K
69.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Yemen
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$88.0 YER 21.0K
$204 $204
-56.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.41 YER 3,910
$57.3 $57.3
-71.35%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$54.1 YER 12.9K
$71.2 $71.2
-23.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Yemen
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$64.2 YER 15.3K
$46.67 $46.67
37.60%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.71 YER 3,505
$22.12 $22.12
-33.50%
Cinema Ticket
$5.79 YER 1,380
$13.84 $13.84
-58.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Yemen
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$78.4 YER 18.7K
$1,384 $1,384
-94.33%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,948 YER 464.2K
$22.7K $22.7K
-91.42%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Yemen
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.9 YER 15.2K
$53.0 $53.0
20.66%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$103 YER 24.6K
$43.17 $43.17
138.87%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$58.7 YER 14.0K
$90.6 $90.6
-35.24%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.9 YER 19.3K
$114 $114
-29.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Yemen
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$199 YER 47.3K
$1,766 $1,766
-88.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$125 YER 29.8K
$1,459 $1,459
-91.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$510 YER 121.5K
$2,832 $2,832
-81.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$368 YER 87.6K
$2,411 $2,411
-84.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,251 YER 298.2K
$3,287 $3,287
-61.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,007 YER 239.9K
$2,650 $2,650
-62.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Yemen
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$297 YER 70.8K
$4,379 $4,379
-93.21%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.31
6.51
89.09%

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

Last update for Yemen: May 31, 2026

Last update for United States: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $69.0 in Yemen vs $1,637 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $167 in Sanaa and $2,591 in Washington, DC.

Average salary: $313 in Yemen vs $4,500 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 2272% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 248% more in United States.

Public transport is 79% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 1338% higher in United States, giving United States stronger purchasing power.

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
Yemen vs United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is United States more expensive than Yemen?
Yemen is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 359% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Yemen, contributing to the overall 359% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget in United States or Yemen?
$2,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Yemen, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to United States or Yemen?
Yemen is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.

Yemen vs other spots: cost of living compared

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