You’ll find living in Yemen is relatively inexpensive by global standards: average monthly costs run about $539, driven by low rents (one‑bed city center ~$233), cheap local transport (~$12.5 monthly pass) and affordable food, though staples and dining vary. Utilities are modest (~$38.2) while internet (~$26.7) and high mortgage rates (~12.8%) constrain long‑term affordability. Costs are higher in Sanaa and lower in smaller cities — keep going to see detailed price breakdowns and policy implications.
Quick Snapshot of Living Expenses in Yemen
One clear measure of affordability in Yemen is the average monthly cost of living, about $539, which is roughly half the global average and signals markedly lower consumer prices; this Cost of Living benchmark frames policy and planning decisions.
You’ll see housing drives a large share: a one-bedroom city-center rent averages $233, while outside the center it’s about $152, informing urban housing policy and rental assistance targeting.
Transport remains inexpensive, with monthly local tickets at $12.5, which affects mobility planning and subsidy considerations.
Food and grocery indicators — milk $1.18 per liter and a dozen eggs $1.53 — suggest basic consumption is affordable, though they don’t capture supply-chain volatility or regional disparities.
Dining metrics (basic meal $7.57; dinner for two $20) provide contextual comparators for service-sector wages and tourism pricing.
Use these figures to assess purchasing power, design targeted social programs, and compare Yemen’s Cost of Living with international benchmarks for aid allocation.
Typical Prices: Food, Groceries and Dining Out
Having noted how housing and transport shape overall affordability, we now look at everyday food and dining costs that directly affect household budgets and social program design.
With housing and transport in mind, we turn to everyday food and dining costs shaping household budgets and programs
When evaluating living in Yemen, you’ll find eating patterns and food prices that matter for targeting assistance. A basic meal with a drink at an inexpensive restaurant runs about $7.57 (YER1,810); a mid-range dinner for two averages $20, indicating modest out-of-home consumption levels.
Fast-food combos cost roughly $9.77 (YER2,334), while single-item beverages—Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) at $1.41 (YER336) and water at $0.73 (YER174)—show beverage affordability differentials.
Staple grocery prices—bread at $1.43 (YER342) per loaf and a dozen eggs at $5.26 (YER1,257)—help model household food baskets.
Use these unit costs to design cash-transfer values, food security thresholds, and market-monitoring indicators. These figures let you compare Yemen to regional peers and calibrate policy responses to protect vulnerable households.
Housing and Utilities: Renting, Buying and Monthly Bills
Renting a one-bedroom in Yemen typically costs you $233 in city centers and about $152 outside them, signaling sharp urban–rural disparities that policymakers must factor into assistance design.
You’ll confront higher rents in Sanaa and other urban hubs, so target subsidies where density and prices concentrate. Buying is constrained: mortgage rates average 12.84% for a 20-year term, raising long-term affordability concerns and limiting homeownership expansion.
- Monthly utilities average $38.2 per person, covering electricity, heating/cooling, water, and waste—important for baseline welfare budgeting.
- Internet at 50 Mbps+ costs about $26.7, relevant for digital inclusion and remote services planning.
- Urban rental pressure suggests prioritizing affordable housing development and rental assistance in cities.
- High mortgage costs indicate need for interest-subsidy programs or alternative financing to stimulate safe, affordable housing supply.
You should use these metrics to design targeted, cost-effective housing and utility interventions for living in Yemen.
Transportation, Internet and Other Everyday Costs
Beyond housing and utilities, everyday mobility and connectivity shape household budgets and access to opportunity in Yemen. You’ll find public transport highly affordable: a single local ticket is about $0.32 and a monthly pass runs $12.50, which supports low-income commuting and labor market access.
Gasoline at roughly $1.04 per liter keeps private vehicle costs below global averages, while an 8 km taxi ride averages $5.85, useful for short, time-sensitive trips.
Connectivity is modestly priced: plans offering 50 Mbps+ run near $26.70 monthly, enabling remote work and digital services if network quality is reliable. Basic utility bills for a single person average $38.20 monthly, reinforcing overall low living costs.
From a policy perspective, maintaining affordable public transit fares, ensuring fuel supply stability, and investing in broadband backhaul in specific city corridors will preserve access and economic inclusion.
Targeted subsidies or public-private partnerships could improve quality without eroding affordability.
Regional Differences: Sanaa and Other Major Cities
While Sanaa’s living costs edge noticeably higher, especially for housing where a one‑bedroom city‑center apartment averages $233, other urban and rural areas offer substantially cheaper alternatives—sometimes as low as $165.92 for a one‑bedroom outside city centers—so policymakers and aid planners must account for pronounced intra‑national disparities when designing subsidies, social transfers, or infrastructure investments.
Sanaa’s rents and living costs are notably higher, so aid and subsidies must reflect sharp regional price differences.
You’ll see cities in Yemen vary: groceries and staples cost less outside major urban centers, transport remains comparatively inexpensive but can rise with urban demand, and overall regional differences create uneven access to services. You should target interventions by locality, not only nationally.
Consider these priority actions:
- Map cost-of-living differentials across cities in Yemen to guide benefit levels.
- Tie housing subsidies to local rent indices, with higher support in Sanaa.
- Adjust food assistance formulas for rural price advantages and urban premiums.
- Prioritize infrastructure spending where high urban costs limit access to markets and services.
This data-driven, policy-focused approach helps align resources with observed regional realities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does the Average Person Make in Yemen?
You make about $111 per month on average in Yemen after taxes. That low wage, driven by conflict and weak labor markets, limits consumption, stresses social services, and demands targeted international and domestic policy interventions to restore livelihoods.
How Much Is Rent in Yemen per Month?
Rent in Yemen runs about $233/month for a 1‑bedroom city‑center apartment and roughly $152/month outside center; in Sanaa prices are higher, utilities average $38.2, and larger units substantially raise monthly housing costs.
Is Yemen Friendly to the US?
No, Yemen isn’t broadly friendly to the US; you’ll find mixed public sentiment and strained official relations due to conflict, but humanitarian cooperation and some pro-American attitudes persist amid significant security and diplomatic challenges.
What Is the Minimum Wage in Yemen in USD?
Coincidentally, the minimum wage in Yemen is about $50 USD per month. You’ll note this figure is data-driven, highlighting policy gaps; it’s far below global norms, worsening poverty and reflecting conflict-driven economic fragility.
Conclusion
You’ll find living costs in Yemen are low by global standards, but that data masks a harsher reality: conflict-driven inflation and supply disruptions push real household burdens far higher than headline prices suggest. If you assume cheap food and rent mean affordable living, the theory falls apart — insecurity, fuel shortages and limited public services multiply costs and risks. Policy must focus on stabilizing markets, restoring services and supporting vulnerable households to make low nominal prices truly meaningful.
