Cost of Living in Sanaa - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,024 per month with rent, or $828 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $1,597 per month with rent, or $1,345 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $2,171 per month with rent, or $1,861 without housing.

Overall, Sanaa is about 26% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are close to average – just 6% lower.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.18 YER 1,462
$2.95 YER 698
$8.24 YER 1,950
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.63 YER 6,068
$20.36 YER 4,819
$85.4 YER 20.2K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.77 YER 2,312
$8.69 YER 2,056
$10.85 YER 2,568
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.03 YER 480
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.46 YER 582
-
Cappuccino
$3.79 YER 897
$2.05 YER 486
$6.46 YER 1,530
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18 YER 280
$1.04 YER 246
$1.31 YER 309
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65 YER 153
$0.44 YER 104
$1.05 YER 249
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.99 YER 472
$1.19 YER 281
$2.90 YER 686
White Bread (500g)
$1.70 YER 403
$0.51 YER 121
$3.43 YER 813
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.05 YER 486
$1.74 YER 411
$3.84 YER 909
Eggs
$3.53 YER 836
$1.95 YER 462
$5.84 YER 1,383
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.06 YER 4,038
$2.99 YER 708
$29.87 YER 7,070
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.45 YER 2,001
$4.08 YER 966
$10.70 YER 2,532
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.55 YER 4,391
$10.89 YER 2,579
$24.93 YER 5,901
Apples (1kg)
$3.42 YER 809
$2.05 YER 485
$5.16 YER 1,222
Banana (1kg)
$1.02 YER 241
$0.80 YER 189
$2.08 YER 493
Oranges (1kg)
$2.21 YER 523
$1.02 YER 241
$2.98 YER 704
Tomato (1kg)
$1.56 YER 369
$0.98 YER 233
$2.05 YER 486
Potato (1kg)
$1.47 YER 347
$0.68 YER 162
$2.68 YER 634
Onion (1kg)
$1.32 YER 312
$0.78 YER 185
$1.65 YER 390
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.20 YER 283
$0.41 YER 96.8
$1.65 YER 389
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 YER 150
$0.19 YER 45.53
$1.22 YER 289
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$3.32 YER 786
$2.49 YER 590
$4.16 YER 984
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 YER 422
$0.98 YER 233
$3.28 YER 777
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43 YER 812
$2.58 YER 610
$4.30 YER 1,017
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.53 YER 1,309
$5.07 YER 1,201
$6.08 YER 1,440
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.44 YER 103
$0.44 YER 103
$0.44 YER 103
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$83.5 YER 19.8K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.26 YER 1,009
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.13 YER 505
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.47 YER 1,769
$4.13 YER 977
$10.82 YER 2,561
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.02 YER 479
$1.86 YER 440
$2.16 YER 511
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.1K YER 4.0M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.4K YER 8.4M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$109 YER 25.9K
$85.7 YER 20.3K
$129 YER 30.4K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.95 YER 5,669
$10.22 YER 2,419
$34.31 YER 8,121
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$101 YER 23.8K
$33.37 YER 7,898
$199 YER 47.1K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$65.9 YER 15.6K
$49.85 YER 11.8K
$75.3 YER 17.8K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.92 YER 3,768
$6.23 YER 1,475
$20.76 YER 4,915
Cinema Ticket
$5.85 YER 1,384
$5.85 YER 1,384
$5.85 YER 1,384
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$114 YER 27.0K
$41.53 YER 9,831
$166 YER 39.3K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,204 YER 521.7K
$859 YER 203.3K
$4,093 YER 968.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.00 YER 9,943
$25.20 YER 5,966
$63.0 YER 14.9K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$122 YER 28.9K
$33.66 YER 7,968
$210 YER 49.8K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$47.26 YER 11.2K
$29.19 YER 6,909
$54.2 YER 12.8K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.14 YER 9,501
$33.21 YER 7,863
$45.67 YER 10.8K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$218 YER 51.5K
$166 YER 39.3K
$290 YER 68.7K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$96.3 YER 22.8K
$85.6 YER 20.3K
$171 YER 40.5K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$408 YER 96.5K
$340 YER 80.6K
$638 YER 151.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$269 YER 63.7K
$199 YER 47.2K
$376 YER 89.1K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,221 YER 999.2K
$716 YER 169.5K
$7,726 YER 1.8M
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$797 YER 188.7K
$347 YER 82.1K
$1,247 YER 295.3K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$191 YER 45.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.25
-

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

Last update: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $218, dropping to $96.3 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 114% of the average salary ($191) – close to the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $191 – below monthly costs of $1,024. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $268 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $26.00 – well below the Asian average of $36.00.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $83.5 – above the Asian average of $34.00.

Cost Highlights

Internet is more expensive than 99% of cities in Asia

Public transport monthly pass is more expensive than 98% of cities in Asia

Gasoline is more expensive than 95% of cities in Asia

Sanaa Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
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 Sanaa - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Cost of Living in Sanaa compare for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Cost of Living in Sanaa tends to be modest compared with many global cities, especially for basics like groceries, casual meals and public transport. Travelers and expats who stay flexible, sticking to local markets, bargaining in some cases, and choosing budget hostels or shared apartments, usually find good value for their plans. Long stay digital nomads who can blend into neighborhood life may reduce expenses further by cooking at home and using communal work spaces instead of pricey venues. Seasonal fluctuations and security considerations can affect your day-to-day costs, so plan buffers for transport and contingencies. Tip: Budget with a simple monthly plan and keep a small safety fund for changes in availability and access to services.
What should you know about daily life in Sanaa around housing search, food options, transport, and coworking?
Housing search in Sanaa typically centers on proximity to markets and safety, with options ranging from traditional apartments in old city quarters to newer compounds outside the core. You can negotiate rent and check water, power, and internet reliability before signing. For daily life, prioritize local markets and inexpensive eateries to stretch your budget; cooking at home is practical in most areas. Public transport, including shared taxis and minibuses, is affordable, while walking is feasible in close to center areas. Co-working spaces or cafes with power outlets support remote work. Sanaa living cost varies by area and lifestyle. Tip: Start with short term stays in a few neighborhoods to compare convenience, safety, and access before extending your lease.
What factors influence your quality of life in Sanaa, and how can you budget and choose a neighborhood effectively?
A strong quality of life in Sanaa comes from balancing your daily needs with flexibility and local rhythm. Use a simple budgeting framework that separates housing, utilities, groceries, and discretionary spending, with a monthly cap on non-essentials. The climate means you will lean on fresh produce in cooler months and lighter meals when heat spikes; plan for electricity or cooling as needed. Neighborhood fit matters: look for areas with walkable markets, reliable services, and a sense of community, even if quieter. For nomads, build routines around work friendly spaces and social hubs that suit your pace. Tip: Align your calendar to seasonal markets and cultural events to maximize value and enjoyment.
Is Sanaa expensive to live in?
Sanaa sits squarely in the middle of the price spectrum – not cheap, not expensive. Monthly costs with rent tend to hover around $1,024, which most working professionals can handle without feeling financially squeezed.
What percentage of income goes to rent in Sanaa?
In Sanaa, housing takes around 114% of a typical salary – close to the global norm of 30%. Most full-time workers can afford a decent apartment and still cover their other bills without too much stress.
What is a good salary in Sanaa?
In Sanaa, $1,535 per month is what most people would call a good salary. It handles rent, food, and utilities with enough left for savings and the occasional splurge. Above that, you unlock better apartments and more freedom with spending.
How much is rent in Sanaa?
A central one-bedroom apartment in Sanaa runs about $218 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $96.3. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.
Is food expensive in Sanaa?
Grocery spending in Sanaa lands around $268 per month for one person – not cheap, not expensive. Local produce and staples are fairly priced, though imported goods and specialty items cost more. Overall, food is a manageable part of the budget.
How much is public transport in Sanaa?
Getting around Sanaa by public transport costs about $83.5 per month. A monthly pass generally covers buses, trams, and metro – much cheaper than owning a car for the daily commute.
Can a person live on $1,000 monthly in Sanaa?
$1,000 is below the $1,024 average in Sanaa, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
Is Sanaa good for digital nomads?
Digital nomads flock to Sanaa for good reason: café culture, great local cuisine. Monthly costs land around $1,024 depending on your setup – strong value for the connectivity and quality of life you get. Coworking spaces and nomad-friendly cafés round out the appeal.
How affordable is Sanaa?
Sanaa is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,024, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.
Is Sanaa good for backpackers?
Sanaa is doable for backpackers, though it takes more planning than cheaper destinations. Monthly costs average $1,024, so daily spending is moderate. Hostels, local food, and public transport keep things in check, but attractions and nightlife can push costs up.

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