MigrantoCost of living in the Gambia
Average monthly spending, by standard of living and against other countries
Monthly cost
GMD 3,930
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
GMD 1,710richest 20%
GMD 11,700
Gambia is a small, import-leaning economy, and that sets the tone for costs: much of what you'd buy is shipped in, while local fish, produce, and labor stay cheap. Winter tourism props up part of the country, which nudges some prices closer to European ones than you'd otherwise see. The distance between a comfortable life and a hand-to-mouth one is wide — what the well-off spend and what everyone else gets by on are a long way apart.
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in the Gambia
Tell us what you earn and spend today — we'll estimate what the same lifestyle would cost in the Gambia and how much you could have left each month
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- How much could be left each month
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Cost of living in the Gambia
GMD 1,710/mo
vs GMD 59,300 in your country
Take-home
GMD 3,440
vs GMD 89,000 in your country
Potential savings
GMD 1,740
more than in your country
Standard of living
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How living costs in the Gambia compare
Against the wider world, Gambia is one of the cheaper countries you could choose, and it lands low even among its African neighbors. The weak dalasi is most of the story — a soft currency and low local pay mean money brought in from abroad covers far more than it would back home.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in the Gambia?
A typical person in the Gambia spends about GMD 3,930 a month — around GMD 47,200 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the cost of living in the Gambia in US dollars?
The cost of living in the Gambia is about $53 a month, or roughly $636 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in the Gambia?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about GMD 1,710 a month per person, a typical one around GMD 3,930, and a comfortable life around GMD 5,560. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
Is the average salary in the Gambia enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about GMD 3,930 a month, while the average take-home pay in the Gambia is about GMD 7,420. For more on incomes, see salaries in the Gambia.
Is the Gambia an expensive country to live in?
No. The Gambia is more expensive than 8% of countries worldwide and ranks 38th of 53 in Africa by cost of living.
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Living in the Gambia
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