Cost of Living in Timor-Leste 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Timor-Leste is the United States dollar (USD).
Monthly Living Costs in Timor-Leste
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Monthly budget (single person): €1,117 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €1,382 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Timor-Leste Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 54.9 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 30.1 |
Taxes in Timor-Leste
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 7% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €6,200 |
| VAT / sales tax | 10% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 15% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €6,200 per month. After rent and essentials (€1,117), roughly €5,083 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Timor-Leste Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timor-Leste | €724 | €250 | €15 | 54.9 |
| Indonesia | €320 | €85 | €18 | 28.7 |
| Philippines | €380 | €85 | €18 | 33.4 |
| Vietnam | €320 | €80 | €15 | 27.7 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Timor-Leste:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 20 residence and visa routes for Timor-Leste — see the full Timor-Leste visa programme list.
Lowest documented income requirement among tracked routes: €100 per month — Business Visa Class II (VNG2) (business route). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €490 per month to sustain a move to Timor-Leste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Timor-Leste expensive?
Timor-Leste has a cost-of-living index of 54.9 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €724 per month and a single person spends about €1,117 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Timor-Leste?
About €1,117 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 €1,382 per month.
Which residence route has the lowest income requirement for Timor-Leste?
Among the 20 Timor-Leste residence routes we track, the lowest documented income requirement is €100 per month (Business Visa Class II (VNG2)). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Ready for the next step? See the full Timor-Leste country profile and the Timor-Leste emigration guide.
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