Cost of Living in Gambia 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Gambia is the dalasi (GMD).
Monthly Living Costs in Gambia
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €395 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €495 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Gambia Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 26.2 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 25.1 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Gambia from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | €4,000 |
| Engineering | €4,000 |
| Finance | €3,500 |
| Healthcare | €3,000 |
| Education | €2,500 |
| Construction | €2,500 |
| Hospitality | €2,000 |
| Retail | €1,500 |
Taxes in Gambia
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 20% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €6,000 |
| VAT / sales tax | 15% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 30% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €6,000 per month. After rent and essentials (€395), roughly €5,605 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Gambia Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gambia | €250 | €85 | €15 | 26.2 |
| Senegal | €280 | €85 | €25 | 40.2 |
| Nigeria | €250 | €85 | €35 | 26.5 |
| Ghana | €280 | €95 | €18 | 40.9 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Gambia:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 5 residence and visa routes for Gambia — see the full Gambia visa programme list.
Lowest documented income requirement among tracked routes: €1,200 per month — Expatriate Quota (work route). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €395 per month to sustain a move to Gambia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gambia expensive?
Gambia has a cost-of-living index of 26.2 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €250 per month and a single person spends about €395 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Gambia?
About €395 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €495 per month.
What is the average rent in Gambia?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €250 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €450 per month in Gambia. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Gambia?
Typical gross annual salaries in Gambia range from €1,500 (Retail) to €4,000 (IT & Software), based on our sector dataset.
Which residence route has the lowest income requirement for Gambia?
Among the 5 Gambia residence routes we track, the lowest documented income requirement is €1,200 per month (Expatriate Quota). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Ready for the next step? See the full Gambia country profile and the Gambia emigration guide.
Still shortlisting? Compare against our data-driven ranking of the best countries to move to in 2026.
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