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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.
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
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.37YER 1,974
$4.05YER 954
$17.21YER 4,060
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.78YER 6,082
$15.23YER 3,593
$86.0YER 20.3K
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.48YER 2,471
$8.38YER 1,976
$10.89YER 2,569
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.55YER 837
$1.99YER 469
$4.20YER 991
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.21YER 1,230
$2.61YER 615
$6.52YER 1,537
Cappuccino
$3.43YER 808
$1.80YER 426
$8.21YER 1,936
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76YER 415
$1.03YER 243
$4.93YER 1,164
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87YER 206
$0.40YER 95.0
$2.03YER 480
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk(1 liter)
$2.92YER 689
$1.92YER 452
$5.15YER 1,215
White Bread(500g)
$1.36YER 321
$0.51YER 121
$4.33YER 1,022
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.25YER 1,002
$1.95YER 461
$9.09YER 2,145
Eggs
$5.16YER 1,218
$1.95YER 460
$9.92YER 2,339
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.15YER 2,629
$7.67YER 1,808
$30.18YER 7,118
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.87YER 2,329
$3.93YER 927
$16.63YER 3,924
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$27.43YER 6,469
$10.82YER 2,551
$58.3YER 13.7K
Apples(1kg)
$5.99YER 1,412
$2.06YER 485
$15.23YER 3,592
Banana(1kg)
$2.41YER 569
$1.03YER 242
$5.21YER 1,230
Oranges(1kg)
$4.28YER 1,009
$1.26YER 298
$10.52YER 2,482
Tomato(1kg)
$2.84YER 671
$0.99YER 235
$4.21YER 992
Potato(1kg)
$2.56YER 604
$0.84YER 198
$5.01YER 1,181
Onion(1kg)
$2.41YER 568
$0.99YER 234
$4.19YER 989
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.84YER 199
$0.40YER 95.0
$1.22YER 287
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.94YER 222
$0.36YER 83.9
$1.63YER 383
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.58YER 609
$2.15YER 508
$6.45YER 1,521
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84YER 434
$1.02YER 241
$3.47YER 818
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.54YER 835
$1.87YER 441
$6.24YER 1,472
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.02YER 1,183
$3.58YER 845
$5.97YER 1,409
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.40YER 95.4
$0.40YER 95.4
$0.82YER 193
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$83.3YER 19.7K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.14YER 505
$0.86YER 203
$4.27YER 1,008
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.10YER 495
$0.84YER 199
$2.61YER 615
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.23YER 1,705
$3.97YER 936
$10.49YER 2,475
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.82YER 665
$1.89YER 446
$4.45YER 1,050
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.0KYER 4.0M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7KYER 8.2M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$77.9YER 18.4K
$49.36YER 11.6K
$125YER 29.6K
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.23YER 4,773
$9.80YER 2,312
$31.12YER 7,340
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.27YER 9,734
$21.25YER 5,013
$201YER 47.4K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$55.5YER 13.1K
$29.95YER 7,065
$64.2YER 15.1K
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.59YER 3,441
$6.31YER 1,489
$21.04YER 4,963
Cinema Ticket
$5.77YER 1,362
$5.77YER 1,362
$5.77YER 1,362
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$64.5YER 15.2K
$24.66YER 5,816
$127YER 29.9K
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,915YER 451.8K
$637YER 150.3K
$4,015YER 947.0K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.8YER 13.9K
$25.67YER 6,054
$98.4YER 23.2K
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$83.6YER 19.7K
$34.30YER 8,091
$214YER 50.6K
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$56.9YER 13.4K
$41.64YER 9,823
$108YER 25.5K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$58.2YER 13.7K
$42.08YER 9,925
$109YER 25.8K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$237YER 55.9K
$120YER 28.2K
$337YER 79.6K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$132YER 31.1K
$80.2YER 18.9K
$255YER 60.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$490YER 115.7K
$306YER 72.1K
$1,078YER 254.3K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$332YER 78.3K
$197YER 46.5K
$625YER 147.5K
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,249YER 766.3K
$706YER 166.6K
$7,688YER 1.8M
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$684YER 161.3K
$347YER 81.8K
$1,258YER 296.8K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$275YER 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.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Yemen$1,050
Yemen$2,389
🛒Groceries & Markets
$348 33.2%
🍽Eating Out
$150 14.3%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$139 13.3%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$132 12.6%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$116 11%
🚌Getting Around
$98 9.3%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$67 6.4%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$865 36.2%
🍽Eating Out
$430 18%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$160 6.7%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$332 13.9%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$258 10.8%
🚌Getting Around
$196 8.2%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$149 6.2%
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.
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.