MigrantoCost of living in Mauritania
Average monthly spending, by standard of living and against other countries
Monthly cost
MRU 3,840
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
MRU 1,800richest 20%
MRU 9,080
Mauritania is mostly desert, so a lot of what lands on the table has to be brought in from elsewhere — yet local life stays inexpensive, and the everyday rhythm of fishing and herding keeps basic costs grounded. The striking part is how little the picture changes from one household to the next; comfortable and modest live closer together here than in most places.
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in Mauritania
Tell us what you earn and spend today — we'll estimate what the same lifestyle would cost in Mauritania and how much you could have left each month
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Cost of living in Mauritania
MRU 1,800/mo
vs MRU 32,000 in your country
Take-home
MRU 7,170
vs MRU 48,000 in your country
Potential savings
MRU 5,360
more than in your country
Standard of living
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How living costs in Mauritania compare
By global measures Mauritania is a low-cost place to settle, and within Africa it sits around the middle. For anyone weighing it, the appeal is that the affordability is broad rather than skin-deep — it isn't propped up by a thin slice of expensive living at the top, so what you see is roughly what most people actually pay.
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 Mauritania?
A typical person in Mauritania spends about MRU 3,840 a month — around MRU 46,100 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 Mauritania in US dollars?
The cost of living in Mauritania is about $96 a month, or roughly $1,152 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Mauritania?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about MRU 1,800 a month per person, a typical one around MRU 3,840, and a comfortable life around MRU 5,200. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
Is Mauritania an expensive country to live in?
No. Mauritania is more expensive than 17% of countries worldwide and ranks 25th of 53 in Africa by cost of living.
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Living in Mauritania
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