You’ll need about $526 a month to live in Eritrea on average, roughly 2.2 times cheaper than the global norm, though costs vary by city and lifestyle. Expect rent for a one‑bedroom in city centers near $217, utilities around $38, and internet about $27. Groceries and dining out are generally cheaper, but fuel and many imported goods run high. Average after‑tax pay is low, so budget carefully — keep going to see specific line‑item figures and tips.

Overview of Eritrea’s Cost of Living and Key Figures

While Eritrea’s overall living costs run low—about $526 per month, roughly 2.17 times cheaper than the world average—you’ll see sharp variance across categories: dining out is relatively inexpensive (a basic meal about $12, roughly 46% cheaper than in the U.S.), rent for a one‑bedroom city‑center apartment averages $217, and monthly utilities for one person sit near $37.80;

conversely, transportation is costly (gasoline around $8.52 per gallon, about 149.5% higher than U.S. prices), and childcare is extremely cheap (private preschool about $25 per month, some 98.2% below U.S. averages).

You should interpret these figures as a mixed Cost of Living profile: everyday consumption and childcare reduce household expenditures, while transport raises them.

That divergence affects budgeting priorities—food and services give you discretionary breathing room, whereas fuel-dependent commuting quickly erodes savings.

Use these key figures to model scenarios: single adult essentials, family with preschool needs, and commuter-heavy households, then adjust projected monthly budgets to reflect transport intensity and service usage.

Housing and Rent Prices in Asmara and Beyond

Because Asmara’s rental market stays markedly affordable compared with many developed cities, you can secure a one‑bedroom in the city center for about $217 or opt for an outside‑center unit near $148, with utilities adding roughly $37.80 per month and internet (50 Mbps+) around $27.10.

These baseline figures let you model monthly housing outlays and compare them to alternatives where mortgage financing—at a 20‑year rate near 12.66%—might change the calculus for long‑term residents or investors.

Use these baseline figures to model monthly housing costs and weigh 20‑year mortgages at ~12.66% for buyers versus renters.

You’ll find housing costs in Eritrea skew low: monthly cash rent plus utilities and internet typically remains a fraction of equivalent expenses in Western capitals.

If you plan to rent, factor in deposit norms and occasional maintenance fees; if you plan to buy, run loan amortization scenarios using the 12.66% rate to estimate monthly payments versus renting.

For expatriates, lower nominal rents can offset higher import costs elsewhere, so quantify total housing-related expenditures to inform relocation or investment decisions.

Grocery and Food Costs for Everyday Life

Although some staples cost considerably more, your overall grocery bill in Eritrea tends to be slightly lower than in the U.S., with average grocery costs about 5.7% less.

Item-level data show bread is very cheap at ER 1.50 (76.9% cheaper than the U.S. $3.56), but milk (ER 5.30) and eggs (ER 4.38 per dozen) are respectively 33.4% and 2.6% more expensive than U.S. prices.

Fresh fruit like apples can be markedly costlier (ER 5.54/lb, a 134.0% increase), so you’ll want to prioritize local staples and seasonality when budgeting to get the best value.

Analyze your basket composition and adjust expectations: imported dairy and temperate fruits drive up costs, while local grains and breads reduce them.

For a realistic person estimated monthly costs planning, consider the following focal points:

1. Buy local bread and grains to lower baseline grocery spend.
2. Limit imported milk and prioritize powdered or local substitutes.
3. Substitute expensive fruits with seasonal produce.
4. Track item-level prices monthly to refine estimated monthly costs.

Eating Out and Restaurant Prices

When you compare typical meal prices in Eritrea, a basic meal with a drink runs about $3.18 and a dinner for two averages $19, both far below U.S. equivalents.

Alcohol and drinks are similarly affordable—a 0.5L beer is roughly $1.81 and a cappuccino about $1.86—so casual outings stay inexpensive.

Note that tipping practices are modest and service charges may vary, so you should check bills for included taxes or fees.

Typical Meal Prices

You’ll find eating out in Eritrea noticeably cheaper than in the United States: a basic meal with a drink runs about ER $12 (roughly 38% less than the US $19.45), a fast-food combo is ER $5.99 (about 46% cheaper than the US $11.12), and an 11‑oz Coca‑Cola costs ER $1.25 (around 51% below the US price).

That gap matters when you compare routine spending — dining out averages 46.4% lower than US levels, and a dinner for two is only about ER $19.

Consider these practical takeaways as you budget, similar to how you’d weigh a prepaid mobile tariff against monthly plans:

1. Basic inexpensive meal + drink: ER $12.
2. Fast-food combo: ER $5.99.
3. 11‑oz Coca‑Cola: ER $1.25.
4. Dinner for two: ER $19.

Alcohol and Drinks

If you’re comparing drink prices, Eritrea is noticeably cheaper than the U.S.: a beer in a neighborhood pub runs about ERN 29 (~$1.81), an inexpensive restaurant meal with a drink is roughly ERN 12 (~$0.76), and an 11‑oz Coca‑Cola costs about ERN 19 (~$1.25), with overall dining-and-drink costs approximately 46.4% below U.S. levels. You’ll find eating and drinking out offers clear value: a beer in neighbourhood pub is affordable, combo meals remain modest, and soft drinks are inexpensive.

Tips and Taxes

Because dining costs in Eritrea run substantially below U.S. levels, you should expect lower service charges and different tipping norms than you’d at home.

You’ll find a basic meal with drink at ER $12.00—about 38.3% cheaper than the US $19.45 equivalent—and average restaurant prices are 46.4% lower overall. That shifts expectations: service is modest, and tips tend to be smaller or optional.

1. Expect tipping around 5–10% in casual spots, reflecting lower check totals.
2. Fast-food combos at ER $5.99 (46.1% savings) rarely require tipping.
3. For sit-down meals—dinner for two ~US $19—you may round up or leave small change.
4. Factor these savings when budgeting gym membership in business travel or relocation.

Transportation and Fuel Expenses

While fuel is markedly more expensive in Eritrea—gasoline runs about ER $8.52 per gallon, roughly 149.5% above the U.S. average—you’ll find public and local transport remain highly affordable: a monthly transit pass costs about ER $8.00 (87.9% cheaper than the U.S. equivalent at US $65.85), and single local rides are only around US $0.34.

Given these contrasts, you’ll want to estimate commuting costs by mode. If you drive, high per-gallon prices and elevated new-car retail (a Volkswagen Golf 1.4 at ER $66,666.00 versus US $32,336.38) push ownership costs well above U.S. norms; fuel sensitivity makes annual spending volatile.

Consider commuting mode carefully: driving brings high ownership and fuel costs, while transit offers far lower, more stable expenses.

If you use public transit, a monthly pass sharply lowers your transport budget: a conservative, estimated monthly spend on local tickets or a pass remains minimal compared with driving.

Taxis are comparatively costly for short urban trips—about US $17.61 for a 5-mile downtown ride—so you’ll weigh occasional taxi use against regular public transit.

Utilities, Internet and Monthly Household Bills

Several core monthly bills in Eritrea remain modest by international standards: utilities for a single person average about $37.80 (covering electricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage), high‑speed internet (50 Mbps+) runs near $27.10, and rent for a one‑bedroom city‑center apartment averages roughly $217.

You’ll find utilities, internet and monthly household bills collectively keep baseline living costs low, but composition matters: energy and water dominate the utilities line, while connectivity is a fixed, predictable expense.

1. Compare: single‑person utilities ~$37.80 vs two‑person 700 sq ft estimate ~$21.03 per person, showing scale economies.
2. Internet: $27.10 monthly gives broad access; budget volatility is low.
3. Housing: $217 rent sets the primary monthly obligation; mortgage rates (~12.66% for 20 years) raise long‑term costs if you buy.
4. Implication: when modeling your budget, treat rent as the largest variable, utilities as moderate recurring costs, and internet as a stable, necessary service within monthly household bills.

Health Care, Personal Care and Pharmacy Prices

Although healthcare prices vary by provider and location, you can expect routine private services and common medications in Eritrea to be noticeably cheaper than in many Western countries. You’ll typically pay about Nakfa 300 for a 15‑minute private doctor visit, which frames outpatient care as affordable for many residents. Pharmacy prices are similarly lower: a 12‑dose box of antibiotics is ~Nakfa 130 and six days of cold medicine ~Nakfa 77. Personal care items sit in the same range—expect Nakfa 153 for a 50ml roll‑on deodorant; a 400ml 2‑in‑1 shampoo is also broadly available. These figures show that basic health care,personal care and pharmacy prices exert less pressure on household budgets than in high‑income countries, though access and quality vary by location.

Childcare, Education and Family-Related Costs

Because family-related costs in Eritrea sit well below global norms, you can expect childcare and education to exert relatively light pressure on household budgets: private preschool runs about Nakfa 25 per month per child, childcare expenses are roughly 95.5% lower than the global average, and utilities for a two-person household average near Nakfa 21.03.

All of which helps explain why educational and caregiving outlays remain modest even as average monthly wages hover around $382. You’ll find that basic schooling and early-childhood care are affordable, and families rarely face the steep tuition or daycare fees common elsewhere.

Public schooling reduces costs further, while preschool choices are inexpensive. When planning a family budget, factor in low recurring childcare fees and minimal utility burdens.

Consider these elements:

1. Preschool: Nakfa 25/month per child — very low relative to global peers.
2. Childcare: costs ≈95.5% below world average — major savings.
3. Education: public options keep tuition-related spending minimal.
4. Utilities: Nakfa 21.03 for two-person household — reduces household overhead.

Salaries, Affordability and How Far Wages Go

How far will an average salary stretch in Eritrea? With an average after-tax monthly income of about $382, you’d cover roughly 0.7 months of local living costs — a stark indicator that wages lag basic expenses.

With about $382 after tax, an average salary in Eritrea covers roughly 0.7 months of living costs.

Rent for a one-bedroom city-center apartment is about $217 and utilities average $37.80, consuming most of that pay. Groceries remain relatively cheap — milk at $1.17 per liter and a dozen eggs at $1.57 — and childcare is particularly affordable (preschool ~$25/month), but these savings don’t offset housing pressures.

Eritrea’s overall cost of living ranks 182nd of 197, roughly 2.17 times less expensive than the global average, meaning prices are lower but so are wages. If you budget, discretionary items like a month of gym membership could be possible, yet nonessential expenses will quickly erode limited disposable income.

In short, your purchasing power is constrained; wages often won’t stretch to cover more than essential needs.

Tips for Expats and How to Save Money in Eritrea

You can cut housing costs dramatically by targeting one-bedroom city-center rentals around ER $475, about 71.5% below the US average.

So prioritize neighborhood research and lease negotiation.

Stretch your food budget by favoring local restaurants (basic meal ~ER $12) and staples like bread (~ER $1.50), which are respectively ~38% and ~76.9% cheaper than U.S. prices.

Combine cheaper rent with public transit (monthly pass ~ER $8) and these choices yield clear, quantifiable savings for expats.

Finding Affordable Housing

When you’re scouting affordable housing in Asmara, focus on central one-bedroom rentals—at about $217/month they represent a clear cost advantage against many Western cities and give you predictable baseline housing costs to budget from.

Use a data-driven checklist to compare total monthly outlay: rent plus utilities, internet, childcare or transport as relevant. Think regarding four estimated monthly costs to create scenarios that guide negotiation and location choice.

1. Rent: ~$217 for a city-center one-bedroom.
2. Utilities: ~$37.80 for a single occupant.
3. Internet: ~$27.10 for 50 Mbps+ access.
4. Childcare/transport: ~$25 preschool or $0.34 local ticket.

Quantify trade-offs between centrality, commute time and clear savings potential.

Stretching Your Food Budget

Several concrete choices can stretch your food budget in Eritrea without sacrificing nutrition: you’ll favor local eateries and groceries where data show meaningful savings. Eat at inexpensive restaurants (ER 12.00 per basic meal, ~38.3% cheaper than the US) and choose fast-food combos (ER 5.99, ~46.1% savings). Buy staples: loaf of bread ER 1.50 (76.9% cheaper), Coca‑Cola 11 fl. oz ER 1.25 (51.1% less). Note milk at ER 5.30/gal is slightly higher than US — factor that into meal planning. Consider bulk buys and compare supermarket vs. market prices; buy nonfood essentials (a box of 32 tampons) locally when cheaper. Small habitual choices compound into clear monthly reductions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Average Salary in Eritrea?

The average salary in Eritrea is about $382 monthly after tax. You’ll use Salary Insights to see this data-driven figure, noting it covers roughly 0.7 months of expenses, reflecting constrained wages and limited job opportunities.

Is Eritrea a Good Place to Live?

Yes — you might find Eritrea affordable: with living costs about $526 monthly, you’ll weigh Quality of Life factors like low housing prices against limited average salaries, higher transport costs, and political and service constraints before deciding.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Ethiopia per Month?

You’ll spend about $600 monthly on Ethiopia living; that’s an analytical estimate. You’ll pay $200–$400 for city rent, low groceries (bread $0.50, milk $1.20), cheap transport ($0.50) and inexpensive meals.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Liberia?

You’ll pay relatively high living expenses in Liberia; crunching the numbers shows groceries, transport, and urban rent drive costs up, while low average salaries mean you’ll often need extra income—it’s not a walk in the park.

Conclusion

You’ll see Eritrea’s costs are modest on paper, but don’t be fooled — a local salary can stretch like rubber or snap like a twig depending on where you live. Data show rent and groceries stay low in Asmara compared with global cities, yet healthcare, fuel and imported goods spike unpredictably. Context matters: family size, schooling needs and remittance flows change affordability dramatically. Plan with contingency buffers and monitor prices constantly to avoid nasty surprises.