Cost of Living in Somalia 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Somalia is the Somali shilling (SOS).
Monthly Living Costs in Somalia
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): €305 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €385 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Somalia Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 15 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Somalia from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | €8,500 |
| Finance | €7,000 |
| Engineering | €7,000 |
| Healthcare | €5,000 |
| Construction | €5,000 |
| Education | €4,000 |
| Hospitality | €3,500 |
| Retail | €3,000 |
Taxes in Somalia
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 8.5% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €6,100 |
| VAT / sales tax | 0% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 15% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €6,100 per month. After rent and essentials (€305), roughly €5,795 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Somalia Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somalia | €180 | €65 | €15 | 15 |
| Djibouti | €650 | €280 | €32 | 54.5 |
| Ethiopia | €180 | €85 | €35 | 17 |
| Kenya | €450 | €120 | €35 | 34.8 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Somalia:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 4 residence and visa routes for Somalia — see the full Somalia visa programme list.
Lowest documented income requirement among tracked routes: €1,500 per month — Work Permit (work route). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €305 per month to sustain a move to Somalia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Somalia expensive?
Somalia has a cost-of-living index of 15 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €180 per month and a single person spends about €305 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Somalia?
About €305 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 €385 per month.
What is the average rent in Somalia?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €180 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €380 per month in Somalia. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Somalia?
Typical gross annual salaries in Somalia range from €3,000 (Retail) to €8,500 (IT & Software), based on our sector dataset.
Which residence route has the lowest income requirement for Somalia?
Among the 4 Somalia residence routes we track, the lowest documented income requirement is €1,500 per month (Work Permit). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Ready for the next step? See the full Somalia country profile and the Somalia emigration guide.
Still shortlisting? Compare against our data-driven ranking of the best countries to move to in 2026.
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