Last update: Nov 2026 28.3M

Cost of Living in Yemen

Across Yemen, living costs for one person average $1,050 a month, including rent and utilities, which take less than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $28 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Yemen

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Yemen actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $1,050 per month with rent on average in Yemen.

$1,050 /mo

A couple spends around $1,720 per month with rent on average in Yemen.

$1,720 /mo

A family of three spends around $2,389 per month with rent on average in Yemen.

$2,389 /mo

Across 9 cities in Yemen, monthly living costs range from $90 to $1,393 – a $1,303 difference that makes location a key factor.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.37 YER 1,974
$4.05 YER 954
$17.21 YER 4,060
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.78 YER 6,082
$15.23 YER 3,593
$86.0 YER 20.3K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.48 YER 2,471
$8.38 YER 1,976
$10.89 YER 2,569
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.55 YER 837
$1.99 YER 469
$4.20 YER 991
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.21 YER 1,230
$2.61 YER 615
$6.52 YER 1,537
Cappuccino
$3.43 YER 808
$1.80 YER 426
$8.21 YER 1,936
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76 YER 415
$1.03 YER 243
$4.93 YER 1,164
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87 YER 206
$0.40 YER 95.0
$2.03 YER 480
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.92 YER 689
$1.92 YER 452
$5.15 YER 1,215
White Bread (500g)
$1.36 YER 321
$0.51 YER 121
$4.33 YER 1,022
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.25 YER 1,002
$1.95 YER 461
$9.09 YER 2,145
Eggs
$5.16 YER 1,218
$1.95 YER 460
$9.92 YER 2,339
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.15 YER 2,629
$7.67 YER 1,808
$30.18 YER 7,118
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.87 YER 2,329
$3.93 YER 927
$16.63 YER 3,924
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$27.43 YER 6,469
$10.82 YER 2,551
$58.3 YER 13.7K
Apples (1kg)
$5.99 YER 1,412
$2.06 YER 485
$15.23 YER 3,592
Banana (1kg)
$2.41 YER 569
$1.03 YER 242
$5.21 YER 1,230
Oranges (1kg)
$4.28 YER 1,009
$1.26 YER 298
$10.52 YER 2,482
Tomato (1kg)
$2.84 YER 671
$0.99 YER 235
$4.21 YER 992
Potato (1kg)
$2.56 YER 604
$0.84 YER 198
$5.01 YER 1,181
Onion (1kg)
$2.41 YER 568
$0.99 YER 234
$4.19 YER 989
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.84 YER 199
$0.40 YER 95.0
$1.22 YER 287
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.94 YER 222
$0.36 YER 83.9
$1.63 YER 383
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$2.58 YER 609
$2.15 YER 508
$6.45 YER 1,521
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84 YER 434
$1.02 YER 241
$3.47 YER 818
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.54 YER 835
$1.87 YER 441
$6.24 YER 1,472
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.02 YER 1,183
$3.58 YER 845
$5.97 YER 1,409
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.40 YER 95.4
$0.40 YER 95.4
$0.82 YER 193
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$83.3 YER 19.7K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.14 YER 505
$0.86 YER 203
$4.27 YER 1,008
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.10 YER 495
$0.84 YER 199
$2.61 YER 615
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.23 YER 1,705
$3.97 YER 936
$10.49 YER 2,475
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.82 YER 665
$1.89 YER 446
$4.45 YER 1,050
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.0K YER 4.0M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K YER 8.2M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$77.9 YER 18.4K
$49.36 YER 11.6K
$125 YER 29.6K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.23 YER 4,773
$9.80 YER 2,312
$31.12 YER 7,340
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.27 YER 9,734
$21.25 YER 5,013
$201 YER 47.4K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$55.5 YER 13.1K
$29.95 YER 7,065
$64.2 YER 15.1K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.59 YER 3,441
$6.31 YER 1,489
$21.04 YER 4,963
Cinema Ticket
$5.77 YER 1,362
$5.77 YER 1,362
$5.77 YER 1,362
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$64.5 YER 15.2K
$24.66 YER 5,816
$127 YER 29.9K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,915 YER 451.8K
$637 YER 150.3K
$4,015 YER 947.0K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.8 YER 13.9K
$25.67 YER 6,054
$98.4 YER 23.2K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$83.6 YER 19.7K
$34.30 YER 8,091
$214 YER 50.6K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$56.9 YER 13.4K
$41.64 YER 9,823
$108 YER 25.5K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$58.2 YER 13.7K
$42.08 YER 9,925
$109 YER 25.8K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$237 YER 55.9K
$120 YER 28.2K
$337 YER 79.6K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$132 YER 31.1K
$80.2 YER 18.9K
$255 YER 60.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$490 YER 115.7K
$306 YER 72.1K
$1,078 YER 254.3K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$332 YER 78.3K
$197 YER 46.5K
$625 YER 147.5K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,249 YER 766.3K
$706 YER 166.6K
$7,688 YER 1.8M
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$684 YER 161.3K
$347 YER 81.8K
$1,258 YER 296.8K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$275 YER 64.9K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.12
11
11.25

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

Last update: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Yemen $1,050
Groceries & Markets
$348
Eating Out
$150
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$139
Accommodation & Living
$132
Clothing & Footwear
$116
Getting Around
$98
Sport & Entertainment
$67

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Yemen is $302 – below average monthly costs of $1,050. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $323 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $33.

Most affordable: Say’un at $90 per month. The capital, Sanaa, sits at $1,026. Across the country, monthly costs span roughly $1,303 between the cheapest and priciest cities.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($1,050) is 22% below the global median of $1,352.

Average rent ($258) is 61% below the global median of $664.

Dinner for two at a restaurant ($33) is 30% below the global median of $47.

Public transport ($85) is 158% above the global median of $33.

Good to know
🕒 Local time
20:42 8:42 PM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
28,250,420
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to YER – Yemeni Rial Converter

Yemeni Rial exchange rates as of November 7, 2026: 1 USD = 236 YER (1,000 YER = 4.24 USD). 1 EUR = 263 YER (1,000 YER = 3.8 EUR).

By City in Yemen
Rank
City
Population
Living Index
Solo costs
(no rent) / month
Solo costs
(with rent) / month
Family of 3 costs
(no rent) / month
Family of 3 costs
(with rent) / month
Mobile download speed
(Mbps)
Internet download speed
(Mbps)
1
508489
67 $1,083 $1,393 $2,719 $3,305
11.55
21.9
2
12817
37 $667 $774 $1,508 $1,615
8.96
16.67
3
176942
$847 $847 $2,475 $2,475
62.65
30.62
4
96375
35 $627 $735 $1,462 $1,570
4.33
2.98
5
208844
42 $561 $882 $1,331 $2,024
19.21
5.69
6
49422
37 $673 $781 $1,520 $1,628
255.09
7.41
7
1527861
49 $823 $1,026 $1,837 $2,216
72.09
7.25
8
48037
$90.4 $90.4 $211 $211
132.88
34.12
9
458933
32 $582 $667 $1,417 $1,709
99.17
19.54
Yemen 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
Cost of Living in Yemen - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Yemen compare in terms of overall affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Compared with many regions, you can find notably low prices for basic staples and local services in Yemen, though regional differences and access to goods vary widely. For many travelers and remote workers, the appeal is the ability to stretch a modest budget by shopping at markets, cooking at home, and choosing local transportation. Major urban centers may feel more expensive than rural towns, but even there, you set the pace with your housing choice and meal plan. Cost of Living in Yemen is best judged by your daily habits and where you spend most of your time. Tip: Start with a short visit to map affordability against your work and life needs.
What does daily life look like for housing, food, transport, and errands when you arrive in Yemen?
Housing searches often center on older neighborhoods with easy access to markets and utilities; rents are often negotiated, and longer stays can unlock better deals. Food comes from bustling markets and street stalls, with cooking at home keeping costs predictable. Public transport, from shared taxis to local buses, is usually affordable and flexible, while walking or short rides help you stay mobile in dense towns. Co-working spaces exist in bigger towns, offering reliable internet and a social scene for work sessions. Tip: Build a simple weekly errand route to minimize trips and keep your budget steady.
What’s a practical budgeting framework and neighborhood fit for quality of life in Yemen, including seasonality and saving ideas?
A practical budgeting framework is to separate essentials from discretionary items, tracking groceries, utilities, and transport while leaving room for occasional treats or travel. For quality-of-life, aim for neighborhoods that balance safety, access to markets, and a community feel – look for expat or local communities in central areas with reliable services. Save by cooking at home, buying in bulk at markets, and negotiating longer-term rents. Seasonality affects expenses through heat and power use, with cooling in hot months and seasonal holidays that influence dining and activities. Yemen living cost tends to feel more elastic based on your lifestyle and location. Tip: Choose a base area with steady internet, nearby markets, and short commutes to keep daily costs predictable.
What is the monthly cost of living in Yemen as of 2026?
In 2026, monthly costs in Yemen range from $90 in the most affordable city to $1,393 in the most expensive one. Where you choose to live makes a dramatic difference – the gap between cheapest and most expensive cities is huge.
What are typical monthly expenses in Yemen in 2026?
Living costs across Yemen vary hugely by location. In 2026, monthly expenses range from $90 in affordable regions to $1,393 in major cities.
How far does $1,200 go in Yemen?
Absolutely – in smaller cities across Yemen, $1,200 covers rent and daily expenses with room to spare for eating out, entertainment, and saving. Even mid-sized cities work at this budget level.

Yemen vs other spots: cost of living compared

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