Cost of Living in Saint-Denis - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,652 monthly including rent, or $985 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,543 with rent, or $1,601 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,434 including rent, or $2,218 for daily expenses alone.

Saint-Denis sits about 23% above the global median. Within Africa, costs are 61% above average – among the most expensive in the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.58 €15.99
$4.65 €4.00
$23.23 €19.98
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$57.3 €49.28
$57.3 €49.28
$115 €98.6
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$20.66 €17.77
$18.37 €15.80
$22.96 €19.75
Cappuccino
$3.96 €3.40
$1.92 €1.66
$5.66 €4.87
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43 €2.95
$2.29 €1.97
$4.01 €3.45
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90 €2.50
$2.32 €2.00
$3.49 €3.00
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.50 €3.87
$3.37 €2.90
$11.23 €9.66
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.58 €3.94
$3.43 €2.95
$5.73 €4.93
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.24 €1.07
$1.13 €0.98
$1.36 €1.17
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.38 €2.05
$1.15 €0.99
$3.11 €2.67
Eggs
$4.31 €3.71
$3.46 €2.98
$4.85 €4.17
Local Cheese (1kg)
$20.55 €17.68
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.76 €11.84
$13.70 €11.79
$13.82 €11.89
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$23.18 €19.94
$11.59 €9.97
$34.77 €29.91
Onion (1kg)
$2.96 €2.55
$1.19 €1.02
$4.74 €4.08
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.70 €1.46
$1.01 €0.87
$2.38 €2.04
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.19 €1.03
$0.68 €0.58
$1.70 €1.47
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.82 €11.03
$11.65 €10.02
$13.99 €12.03
Wine (Bottle)
$8.10 €6.97
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.58 €2.22
$1.64 €1.41
$3.51 €3.02
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.55 €3.06
-
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.35 €2.03
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$44.76 €38.50
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.9K €27.4K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.3K €27.8K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$141 €121
$129 €111
$152 €131
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.24 €9.67
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$56.2 €48.35
$45.67 €39.29
$66.7 €57.4
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$34.96 €30.07
$34.96 €30.07
$34.97 €30.08
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.93 €11.98
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.59 €9.97
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$115 €98.5
$68.7 €59.1
$160 €138
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$141 €122
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116 €99.9
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$824 €709
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$571 €491
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,633 €1,405
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,052 €905
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,174 €1,870
-

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

Last update: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $824 for a central one-bedroom, or $571 outside the center. At 38% of the average salary ($2,174), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $2,174, while typical expenses reach $1,652. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $2,478.

Expect to spend about $302 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $57.0 for two – above the African average of $42.00.

Public transport is priced at around $44.76 per month – above the African average of $29.00.

Cost Highlights

Fast food meal is among the 20 most expensive worldwide (out of 7,536 cities)

Saint-Denis has the 4th most expensive meal at budget restaurant in Africa

Saint-Denis has the 7th most expensive monthly cost (excluding rent) in Africa

Saint-Denis Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Saint-Denis - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saint-Denis, Reunion a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to benefit most from the cost structure?
Saint-Denis, Reunion offers a workable balance of costs for different lifestyles. You'll find value in local markets, affordable street food, and services that favor longer stays, while imported goods and some housing options can push the bill. The city rewards flexibility: choose shared housing, shop at neighborhood markets, and ride reliable buses or the tram for daily trips. This is the Cost of Living in Saint-Denis, Reunion reality, reflecting a blend of affordable daily staples with selective higher-outlay areas in central neighborhoods. Tip: map out a monthly budget by category and test different accommodation options before committing.
What does daily life look like for housing search, food options, transport, co-working, and errands in Saint-Denis?
Daily life here blends island charm with practical routines. For housing, start with neighborhoods a short ride from the city center or near beaches for a calmer vibe, and be prepared to tour several options to compare air quality, light, and commutes. Food options range from vibrant markets to casual eateries; you can balance cost and freshness by cooking at home with weekly staples. Public transport includes buses and a light-rail line servicing popular districts, which helps keep errands doable. Co-working spots are common, with several cafes offering reliable Wi-Fi. Saint-Denis, Reunion living cost varies by area and lifestyle, so align your search to your work and social calendar. Tip: time your housing hunt with market days to catch better deals.
How can you optimize quality of life, budgeting, and neighborhood fit, including seasonal travel and saving strategies?
Quality of life here hinges on balance and neighborhood fit. Build a simple budgeting framework: separate fixed expenses (housing, utilities) from flexible ones (eating out, entertainment), and review monthly trends as the seasons shift. Seasonality affects markets, with more sights and events during festivals or holidays, and humidity can influence comfort and gear choices. For neighborhood fit, explore areas with easy access to groceries, sea breezes, and transit; consider safety, schooling if relevant, and community spaces for work. Saving tips include buying in bulk at markets, joining community exchanges, and leveraging coworking day passes during quieter work periods. Tip: rotate your routines to align with local market days and calmer off-peak times.
What are typical monthly expenses for a single person in Saint-Denis?
All in, Saint-Denis runs about $1,652 monthly with rent, or $985 without it. These numbers assume a moderate lifestyle – comfortable but not lavish. Choosing a cheaper neighborhood and cooking at home are the easiest ways to spend less.
What are the monthly living expenses in Saint-Denis as of 2026?
As of 2026, monthly living costs in Saint-Denis come to around $1,652 including rent, or roughly $985 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.
How does the average salary in Saint-Denis compare to the cost of living?
At $2,174 take-home, most residents in Saint-Denis can cover the $1,652 monthly cost of living. Those earning $2,478 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
What does a one-bedroom apartment cost in Saint-Denis per month?
Where you live in Saint-Denis makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $824; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $571. Overall, the market runs from $571 to $824 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What should I budget for groceries in Saint-Denis?
At about $302 monthly, food costs in Saint-Denis sit in moderate territory. A mix of local markets and supermarkets covers most needs at fair prices, and most residents eat well without having to pinch pennies.
How much is a monthly gym pass in Saint-Denis?
A regular gym membership in Saint-Denis costs around $34.96 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.
Does $3,000 cover living expenses in Saint-Denis?
Living on $3,000 in Saint-Denis means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,652. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
What is life like for foreigners living in Saint-Denis?
Expats in Saint-Denis enjoy fast internet, vibrant nightlife, clean air, and monthly costs average around $1,652. The international crowd is active and welcoming, and practical stuff – bank accounts, apartment hunting, healthcare – is all manageable with some basic prep.
How much can you save per month in Saint-Denis?
Monthly expenses in Saint-Denis run around $1,652, so putting money aside takes more than $2,478 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

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