Cost of Living in Nouakchott - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $579 (excluding rent), and $834 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,384 (excluding rent), and $1,901 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.00 MRU 200

$2.51 MRU 100

$7.51 MRU 301

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.81 MRU 994

$12.54 MRU 502

$37.60 MRU 1,506

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.33 MRU 254

$6.03 MRU 242

$7.03 MRU 281

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.92 MRU 76.9

$1.23 MRU 49.20

$2.92 MRU 117

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.58 MRU 103

$1.80 MRU 72.3

$3.06 MRU 122

Cappuccino

$2.52 MRU 101

$1.29 MRU 51.8

$3.89 MRU 156

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.82 MRU 72.9

$1.29 MRU 51.6

$2.12 MRU 84.8

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.20 MRU 88.3

$1.28 MRU 51.2

$3.85 MRU 154

Milk (1 liter)

$1.43 MRU 57.4

$1.27 MRU 50.9

$1.53 MRU 61.4

White Bread (500g)

$0.27 MRU 10.81

$0.24 MRU 9.65

$0.32 MRU 12.73

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.26 MRU 50.3

$0.72 MRU 28.82

$3.32 MRU 133

Eggs

$2.26 MRU 90.5

$1.53 MRU 61.4

$3.39 MRU 136

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.05 MRU 322

$2.53 MRU 101

$10.08 MRU 404

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.54 MRU 222

$4.54 MRU 182

$6.99 MRU 280

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.99 MRU 280

$4.92 MRU 197

$8.19 MRU 328

Apples (1kg)

$2.20 MRU 88.3

$1.49 MRU 59.6

$4.52 MRU 181

Banana (1kg)

$1.80 MRU 72.1

$1.49 MRU 59.6

$1.98 MRU 79.2

Oranges (1kg)

$1.42 MRU 57.1

$0.75 MRU 30.11

$1.75 MRU 70.1

Tomato (1kg)

$0.97 MRU 38.98

$0.50 MRU 20.08

$1.74 MRU 69.7

Potato (1kg)

$0.81 MRU 32.28

$0.40 MRU 15.93

$1.32 MRU 52.8

Onion (1kg)

$0.83 MRU 33.41

$0.60 MRU 24.19

$1.21 MRU 48.39

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.57 MRU 22.66

$0.53 MRU 21.40

$0.59 MRU 23.50

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.70 MRU 28.12

$0.53 MRU 21.41

$1.06 MRU 42.39

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$10.01 MRU 401

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.52 MRU 101

$2.47 MRU 99.0

$2.62 MRU 105

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.78 MRU 71.1

$1.76 MRU 70.3

$1.81 MRU 72.4

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.51 MRU 101

$2.53 MRU 101

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.53 MRU 21.41

$0.47 MRU 18.89

$0.59 MRU 23.51

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.63 MRU 706

$15.11 MRU 605

$28.96 MRU 1,160

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.89 MRU 35.68

$0.52 MRU 20.68

$1.28 MRU 51.1

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.24 MRU 9.60

$0.36 MRU 14.59

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.62 MRU 225

$4.81 MRU 193

$7.60 MRU 304

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.40 MRU 56.2

$0.95 MRU 38.01

$1.75 MRU 70.1

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$7,682 MRU 307.7K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$9,282 MRU 371.7K

$8,743 MRU 350.2K

$9,282 MRU 371.7K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$147 MRU 5,895

$88.9 MRU 3,561

$254 MRU 10.2K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$24.83 MRU 995

$7.45 MRU 299

$49.67 MRU 1,989

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.2 MRU 2,411

$50.2 MRU 2,009

$62.7 MRU 2,512

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$87.8 MRU 3,515

$25.25 MRU 1,011

$253 MRU 10.1K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$254 MRU 10.2K

Cinema Ticket

$4.52 MRU 181

$3.88 MRU 155

$5.17 MRU 207

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$81.2 MRU 3,250

$56.2 MRU 2,249

$96.2 MRU 3,851

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,955 MRU 238.5K

$2,493 MRU 99.8K

$8,492 MRU 340.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.83 MRU 834

$8.44 MRU 338

$30.71 MRU 1,230

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$21.12 MRU 846

$7.67 MRU 307

$25.56 MRU 1,024

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$69.6 MRU 2,786

$15.17 MRU 608

$101 MRU 4,051

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$35.43 MRU 1,419

$12.52 MRU 502

$75.3 MRU 3,014

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$228 MRU 9,121

$203 MRU 8,132

$282 MRU 11.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$165 MRU 6,602

$154 MRU 6,150

$199 MRU 7,958

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$646 MRU 25.9K

$515 MRU 20.6K

$856 MRU 34.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$311 MRU 12.5K

$250 MRU 10.0K

$416 MRU 16.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,580 MRU 263.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,643 MRU 65.8K

$253 MRU 10.1K

$3,033 MRU 121.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$562 MRU 22.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.5

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

Last update: March 3, 2026

Nouakchott Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Nouakchott - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Nouakchott, Mauritania can be surprisingly approachable for travelers and many expats. You’ll find lower costs for everyday basics when you lean on local markets, simple meals, and shared housing, while western imports or newer, upscale areas push prices higher. Those who budget around rent, internet in coworking spaces, and flexible dining will stretch a daily budget further. Outlying districts may offer better value than central zones, though you’ll trade proximity to services. Tip: Start with a short scouting visit to compare neighborhoods and pace of life before committing long-term.

Daily life in Nouakchott centers on markets, short taxi hops, and a mix of casual eateries. When housing, seek neighborhoods with reliable electricity and internet, and options for flexible leases. Food options range from street stalls to kitchen-friendly apartments; you can stretch a budget by cooking at home and buying produce at souks. For work or study, look for coworking spaces with steady Wi-Fi and reasonable opening hours. Nouakchott, Mauritania living cost varies by district, so compare Plateau, Tevragh Zeina, and Old Nouakchott to gauge value. Tip: Start with a two-week trial in a couple of neighborhoods before locking in a longer lease.

Quality of life in Nouakchott hinges on fit as much as price. Build a simple budgeting framework based on housing, food, transport, and personal basics, then adjust with seasonal changes in cooling and energy use. To save, prioritize longer leases in stable neighborhoods, negotiate rent, and use markets for produce rather than imported goods. Embrace a mixed routine: work in community spaces, shop at local markets, and reserve some evenings for outdoor strolls along the waterfront or beaches. Neighborhoods like Tevragh Zeina or Plateau often balance safety, access, and amenities; test a few weeks in each to feel the rhythm. Tip: Align your routines with the dry or windy seasons to stay comfortable and efficient.