Cost of Living in Timor-Leste - Updated Prices & Insights

51.74

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $739 (excluding rent), and $1,860 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,770 (excluding rent), and $3,593 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.95 $4.95

$2.47 $2.47

$9.9 $9.9

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.29 $45.29

$25.16 $25.16

$50.3 $50.3

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.18 $8.18

$7.16 $7.16

$8.18 $8.18

Cappuccino

$3.77 $3.77

$1.72 $1.72

$4.92 $4.92

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

$1.54 $1.54

$0.73 $0.73

$1.95 $1.95

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.45 $1.45

$0.77 $0.77

$2.05 $2.05

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.98 $1.98

$2.97 $2.97

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.05 $4.05

$5.06 $5.06

Milk (1 liter)

$2.4 $2.4

$0.98 $0.98

$2.94 $2.94

White Bread (500g)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.96 $1.96

$3.09 $3.09

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.02 $2.02

$1.01 $1.01

$3.02 $3.02

Eggs

$2.64 $2.64

$2.35 $2.35

$2.94 $2.94

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.03 $2.03

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.36 $9.36

$3.94 $3.94

$14.78 $14.78

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.74 $15.74

$10.82 $10.82

$24.59 $24.59

Apples (1kg)

$3.45 $3.45

$1.97 $1.97

$4.93 $4.93

Banana (1kg)

$1.86 $1.86

$1.52 $1.52

$2.03 $2.03

Oranges (1kg)

$1.95 $1.95

Tomato (1kg)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.04 $2.04

$3.06 $3.06

Potato (1kg)

$1.94 $1.94

Onion (1kg)

$1.22 $1.22

$0.98 $0.98

$1.47 $1.47

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.02 $1.02

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.97 $0.97

$0.49 $0.49

$1.46 $1.46

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.81 $2.81

$2.04 $2.04

$3.57 $3.57

Wine (Bottle)

$15.91 $15.91

$9.94 $9.94

$24.86 $24.86

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.29 $2.29

$1.93 $1.93

$2.92 $2.92

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.19 $2.19

$2.92 $2.92

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 $0.24

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$55.7 $55.7

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.48 $3.48

$1.99 $1.99

$4.98 $4.98

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.33 $3.33

$2.57 $2.57

$4.1 $4.1

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.6 $19.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.49 $1.49

$1.16 $1.16

$1.61 $1.61

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

$21.2K $21.2K

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

$19.5K $19.5K

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

$152 $152

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

$29.8 $29.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.43 $49.43

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$50.8 $50.8

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$2.94 $2.94

Cinema Ticket

$5.47 $5.47

$4.97 $4.97

$5.97 $5.97

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.9K $15.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61 $61

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.13 $30.13

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$80.7 $80.7

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$60.7 $60.7

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,102 $1,102

$802 $802

$1,303 $1,303

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$920 $920

$888 $888

$986 $986

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,407 $3,407

$2,779 $2,779

$4,466 $4,466

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,695 $1,695

$1,526 $1,526

$2,034 $2,034

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,075 $4,075

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,200 $5,200

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.37

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

Cost of Living in Timor-Leste - Frequently Asked Questions

Timor-Leste generally offers a favorable balance between cost and lifestyle for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, especially when you compare core option cities with more remote pockets. The Cost of Living in Timor-Leste tends to be approachable in urban areas like Dili, with a range of budget-friendly apartments, guesthouses, and shared housing, plus local eateries that keep dining costs predictable. Outside the capital, you’ll often find cheaper options but fewer services. Seasonal rhythms affect markets and transport, so flexibility helps. By prioritizing local goods, you can stretch your budget without sacrificing convenience. Tip: prioritize longer stays in neighborhoods with reliable internet and easy access to groceries and cafés.

Daily life centers on a mix of local markets, casual eateries, and growing coworking spaces. Start with housing by targeting neighborhoods with reliable internet, safety, and access to supermarkets; long-term rentals can be easier to negotiate than short stays. Food options range from markets with fresh produce to inexpensive seafood and regional staples. For transport, taxis and shared rides are common, while motorbikes are popular for flexible movement. If you work remotely, seek coworking hubs or cafés with good power and Wi‑Fi. Timor-Leste living cost becomes easier to manage when you layer in a simple weekly budget and shop locally, not just at hotels. Tip: visit during shoulder seasons for quieter streets and deals.

Quality of life in Timor-Leste rewards flexibility: you’ll trade some services for the warmth of the community and outdoor access. A practical budgeting framework is to separate needs (housing, food, transport) from wants (entertainment, travel). Track staples at weekly markets, plan meals around local produce, and bundle errands to minimize trips. Seasonality affects harvests, traffic, and flight options, so build a lightweight calendar for rainy periods and peak travel times. Neighborhood fit comes from proximity to groceries, cafés, and safety; many expats favor areas with expat-friendly amenities and a slower pace. Tip: set a monthly policy to review utilities and transport choices every few weeks to stay lean.