MigrantoCost of living in Somalia
Average monthly spending, by standard of living and against other countries
Monthly cost
SOS 36,000
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
SOS 14,800richest 20%
SOS 91,900
Somalia runs largely on money sent home by family abroad, on US dollars rather than its own currency, and on imports for much of what it needs, with years of weak central authority shaping how things are bought and sold. Basics like livestock and local trade are cheap, while imported goods and plain security cost more than first appears. Comfortable and just-getting-by are a fair way apart here — the spread is wide rather than gentle.
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in Somalia
Tell us what you earn and spend today — we'll estimate what the same lifestyle would cost in Somalia and how much you could have left each month
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- How much could be left each month
- How it compares with today
Cost of living in Somalia
SOS 14,800/mo
vs SOS 457,000 in your country
Take-home
SOS 102,000
vs SOS 685,000 in your country
Potential savings
SOS 87,400
more than in your country
Standard of living
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How living costs in Somalia compare
Somalia counts among the cheapest places in the world to live, and within Africa it falls roughly mid-range. The low cost grows out of a fragile economy held up by money sent home from abroad — inexpensive not because the country is thriving, but because so little of the formal economy is intact.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank, regional estimate), 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 Somalia?
A typical person in Somalia spends about SOS 36,000 a month — around SOS 432,000 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 Somalia in US dollars?
The cost of living in Somalia is about $63 a month, or roughly $756 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Somalia?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about SOS 14,800 a month per person, a typical one around SOS 36,000, and a comfortable life around SOS 50,800. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
Is Somalia an expensive country to live in?
No. Somalia is more expensive than 10% of countries worldwide and ranks 34th of 53 in Africa by cost of living.
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Living in Somalia
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