You’ll generally need $80–$500 a month to cover basics in The Gambia, with most people budgeting around $300–$500 in towns. Rent ranges from under $100 for remote studios to $480+ for larger city apartments. Food and transport are cheap — roadside meals below $1, buses $1–$4 — but utilities, internet and healthcare add costs. Wages average about $311 monthly, so plan carefully; keep going to see detailed breakdowns and tips.

Overview of Living Costs in The Gambia

Although basic expenses like housing, food, utilities, and healthcare vary by location and income, you can expect generally low everyday costs in The Gambia: a roadside meal is under $1, a three-course dinner for two runs about $26.20, city rent for an 84 m² apartment averages $482 (about $290 outside the city), and monthly wages are low—roughly $78.59 for low-income earners and $310.85 for average earners—while internet starts at about $0.50 for mobile access and can rise to $335 for high-speed satellite.

You’ll find that the overall cost profile favors low daily spending but limited purchasing power. Focus on the costs of housing when budgeting: rent dominates monthly outlays, utilities add modestly, and location shifts prices substantially.

Food and local services remain cheap, but imported goods and fast connections push expenses up. Plan around wage levels, prioritize essentials, and expect variable access and quality depending on urban versus rural settings.

Housing and Rental Prices by City

Having seen how rent dominates monthly outlays, let’s look closer at how prices change by city and size:

Having seen rent dominate monthly expenses, here’s a closer look at how prices vary by city and size

In Gambian urban centers, an 84 m² apartment averages about $482/month, while the same space outside cities runs roughly $290. A 45 m² unit costs about $212 in town versus $135 in rural areas, and studios in remote locations can be had for under $100.

You’ll find housing and rental prices driven mainly by location: city centers command premiums for proximity to services, jobs, and transport. If you need space, expect to pay roughly 1.7×–1.8× more in town for an 84 m² compared with rural listings; smaller units show similar ratios.

Studios under $100 suit tight budgets or temporary stays. If you plan to buy, note foreigners can purchase land but face limits (size/duration capped, typically up to 21 years), so factor tenure restrictions into long-term housing decisions.

Typical Food and Grocery Expenses

When you budget for food in The Gambia, expect wide variation depending on whether you cook at home or eat out: a fast-food combo runs about $2.90 and a three-course dinner for two at a casual restaurant costs roughly $26.20, while a regular roadside meal can be had for under $1.

You’ll save most by buying raw ingredients at local markets; staples and produce are generally cheaper than in the U.S., and many people shop daily for freshness. A gallon of milk is around $4.50, so include perishables in your weekly plan.

If you prefer convenience, home delivery is available but raises costs. Eating out occasionally with an occasional food combo or roadside meal keeps expenses predictable; dining frequently at restaurants pushes your monthly food budget higher.

Track prices for key items, plan meals around market availability, and mix cooking at home with selective restaurant visits to control food spending without sacrificing variety or convenience.

Utilities, Internet and Mobile Costs

Expect household utility bills—gas, electricity and heat—to reach up to $100/month for two people, a significant share of local incomes.

Mobile data starts very cheap (about $0.50 for 512 kbps) but high-speed options are limited and satellite plans can cost as much as $335 for 0.5–10 Mbps.

Given average monthly earnings of $49–$310.85, you’ll often face trade-offs between affordable mobile data and pricier home internet or reliable electricity.

Household Utility Bills

Although utilities are cheaper than in many countries, you can still pay up to $100 a month for gas, electricity and heat for two people in The Gambia.

Internet costs add a disproportionate burden: mobile internet starts around $0.50 for 512 kbps while satellite links range up to $335 for 0.5–10 Mbps.

For your household budget, that means utilities form a sizable slice of the Cost of Living.

Expect variable electricity reliability, occasional generator fuel costs, and higher bills during hotter months.

Internet availability is limited, so you often buy fixed megabyte bundles rather than unlimited plans, pushing effective per-MB prices up.

With low average incomes, these utility and connectivity expenses substantially affect discretionary spending and savings potential.

Mobile Data Pricing

One of the clearest facts about mobile data in The Gambia is that basic connectivity can be cheap per plan but costly in practice: you can get 512 kbps service for roughly $0.50, yet most users buy fixed megabyte bundles that run out quickly and push effective per‑MB costs much higher.

You’ll find this affects budgeting, especially if you’re low income.

1. Entry price: $0.50 for 512 kbps — usable for light browsing and messaging.
2. Typical purchase: fixed MB bundles that limit heavy use and drive up marginal costs.
3. Alternatives: satellite links exist but cost up to $335 for 0.5–10 Mbps, unaffordable for most.
4. Impact: inconsistent infrastructure and high relative costs make reliable mobile data a significant expense for low income households.

Internet Speed Options

Having covered how bundle pricing and short data allowances drive up costs, let’s look at the actual speed options you’ll encounter in Gambia and what they mean for use cases.

Internet speed options are limited: mobile plans start at about $0.50 for roughly 512 kbps, while satellite packages can reach $335 for 0.5–10 Mbps. Average speeds and availability lag far behind developed countries, so you’ll often pay per megabyte rather than enjoy sustained bandwidth.

That affects streaming, video calls, cloud work and large downloads—expect frequent buffering or forced quality reductions. Many households struggle with reliable access, creating barriers for remote work, education and services.

Factor both cost and realistic throughput into your budget and service choice to avoid surprises.

Transportation and Fuel Prices

You’ll find public transport in The Gambia is inexpensive: gelli-gelli shared taxis cost about $0.50 per city ride, buses run $1–$2 for longer trips, and boda-bodas charge roughly $1 for short trips.

Fuel affects those numbers—gasoline is around $1.40 per liter, so private-driving costs rise as global fuel prices change.

Compare typical monthly spend on transport to your income to see how much of your budget it consumes.

Public Transport Costs

Although many Gambians rely on walking or biking for short trips, public transport remains cheap: shared minibuses called “guttos” cost about $0.30–$0.50 per ride depending on distance.

City-to-city buses run $1.50–$4, and taxis start around $1.50 plus distance-based surcharges; fuel is roughly $1.10 per liter, which raises operating costs for private vehicles.

You’ll find public transport costs low and predictable across common routes. Use guttos for intra-city travel, buses for intercity trips, and taxis when you need door-to-door service.

Typical options and costs:

1. Guttos: $0.30–$0.50 per ride.
2. City-to-city buses: $1.50–$4.
3. Taxis: $1.50 base + distance.
4. Fuel: ~$1.10/L, affecting private vehicle use.

Fuel Price Trends

Public transport fares in The Gambia stay low partly because fuel prices have been kept in check; as of 2023 gasoline averaged about $1.20 per liter and diesel roughly $1.00/L.

You’ll see that fuel price trends reflect global oil movements plus local demand and government policy. Subsidies help smooth retail prices, limiting sudden fare spikes and keeping short-trip fares around $0.30–$0.50.

Still, availability varies: occasional shortages, especially in rural areas with weak infrastructure, can raise local transport costs temporarily.

If you budget for transport, track monthly fuel price trends and the subsidy outlook. That lets you anticipate fare adjustments and avoid surprises when diesel-driven services or supply disruptions push operational costs higher.

Healthcare and Medical Expenses

While Gambia’s healthcare system is structured into primary, secondary, and tertiary tiers, access is constrained by just four hospitals for the whole country.

So you’ll often pay out-of-pocket for bed space, medicines, and tests that the government doesn’t cover. You’ll find healthcare costs lower than in high-income countries, but limited modern facilities mean essential services can still be costly for low-income households.

WHO support is improving quality, but progress is slow and gaps remain.

1. Expect routine outpatient visits and basic meds to be affordable, yet inpatient stays incur bed fees and test charges.
2. Diagnostic imaging and specialized care are scarce; you may need to travel or pay higher fees for private clinics.
3. Public spending on healthcare is low per capita, so shortages of drugs and equipment are common.
4. Budget for emergency transfers or overseas referral if complex treatment is needed; those costs rise sharply.

Education and Schooling Costs

Because school costs in The Gambia vary sharply by level and location, you should plan your budget around specific figures: preschool runs about $51 monthly, primary (elementary) tuition averages $37.50 annually, and rural students needing room and board can see total education expenses near $300 per year.

Secondary costs sit between primary and university, with more variability depending on boarding and supplies. At university, expect $621.70 annual tuition for Gambian students versus $3,750 for international students.

You’ll also face extra line items: transport, textbooks, and materials—especially in rural areas where limited resources push families to pay more for basics or travel to better schools.

When forecasting household costs, separate recurring fees (monthly preschool, annual tuition) from one-time or seasonal expenses (uniforms, exam fees). Use these figures to model scenarios for single children or multiple dependents, and build a contingency for quality-related costs if you move from rural to urban schools.

Average Wages and Buying Power

Although wages in The Gambia have trended upward in recent years, buying power remains constrained: unskilled workers earn about $49 per month, low-income earners average $78.59, the typical monthly salary is roughly $310.85, and high earners reach about $1,388.07—creating a wide income gap that leaves many households struggling to cover basic costs despite GDP per capita rising from $700 in 2020 to an estimated $805 in 2022.

Wages rose, but buying power stays tight: vast income gaps leave many Gambian households struggling to afford basics.

You’ll find the gap shapes daily choices and savings capacity. Consider these key figures to evaluate buying power:

1. Unskilled: ~$49/month — below subsistence, highlighting low minimum wage impact.
2. Low-income average: ~$78.59/month — limited ability to pay for food, transport, utilities.
3. Typical salary: ~$310.85/month — moderately better but tight for families.
4. High earners: ~$1,388.07/month — clear outliers with much greater consumption.

If you’re budgeting or contemplating relocation, factor in that local incomes lag living costs; expatriates may feel better off, but most Gambians face constrained purchasing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Is Rent in Gambia per Month?

Rent in Gambia varies: Rental Prices for an 84m² city apartment average $482, $290 outside; 45m² about $212 city, $135 outskirts; studios under $100 in remote areas, and foreigners face land ownership limits.

How Much Is a Can of Coke in Gambia?

Like a small sun in your hand, a can of Coke in Gambia costs about $0.50–$0.75 depending on shop type; you’ll find supermarket deals near $0.50, urban shops around $0.75, reflecting local Cultural Experience.

Is It Cheap to Live in Gambia?

Yes — it’s relatively cheap for you versus developed countries, but Cost Comparison matters: basic food and transport are low, rent and utilities vary widely, and expenses can still strain locals earning $49–$311 monthly.

Is Gambia a Good Place to Live?

Yes — you’ll find Gambia offers rich Cultural Experiences, low living costs, and decent expat comfort; you’ll weigh limited healthcare and variable housing against agritourism opportunities, modest salaries, and accessible education for practical long-term living.

Conclusion

Living in The Gambia can be surprisingly affordable if you plan smartly: rent ranges widely, food and transport stay low, but healthcare and international schools push costs up. Use local markets, budget for utilities and occasional fuel hikes, and expect wages to be modest compared with expenses. Like a weathered map, knowing city-by-city prices guides your choices—stick to data, prioritize essentials, and you’ll keep monthly costs predictable and manageable.