Cost of living in Eritrea compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 113% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Eritrea is 113% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Eritrea | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Nakfa165 (79元) | 41元 | + 90% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Nakfa150 (72元) | 38元 | + 88% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Nakfa300 (144元) | 15元 | + 878% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Nakfa25 (12元) | 14元 | - 13% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Nakfa72 (34元) | 16元 | + 119% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Nakfa25 (12元) | 10元 | + 15% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Nakfa141 (68元) | 50元 | + 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Nakfa125 (60元) | 16元 | + 269% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Nakfa30 (14元) | 6元 | + 122% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Nakfa23 (11元) | 7元 | + 62% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Nakfa275 (132元) | 89元 | + 49% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Nakfa20 (10元) | 8元 | + 19% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Nakfa17 (8元) | 13元 | - 35% | |
| Housing | + 41% | |||
| Housing in Eritrea is 41% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Eritrea | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | 11,256元 | - | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Nakfa6,200 (2,971元) | 5,248元 | - 43% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Nakfa3,000 (1,438元) | 450元 | + 220% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Nakfa15,000 (7,189元) | 6,564元 | + 10% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Nakfa5,000 (2,396元) | 3,518元 | - 32% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Nakfa2,000 (958元) | 296元 | + 224% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Nakfa1,000 (479元) | 100元 | + 381% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Nakfa10,000 (4,792元) | 1,460元 | + 228% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Nakfa5,000 (2,396元) | 553元 | + 333% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Nakfa100 (48元) | 43元 | + 12% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Nakfa200 (96元) | 50元 | + 93% | |
| Clothes | + 11% | |||
| Clothes in Eritrea is 11% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Eritrea | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Nakfa555 (266元) | 418元 | - 36% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Nakfa1,000 (479元) | 302元 | + 59% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Nakfa1,150 (551元) | 553元 | - 0% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Nakfa926 (444元) | 705元 | - 37% | |
| Transportation | + 21% | |||
| Transportation in Eritrea is 21% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Eritrea | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Nakfa300,000 (143,770元) | 137,169元 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Nakfa32 (15元) | 8元 | + 102% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | 228元 | - | |
| Personal Care | + 13% | |||
| Personal Care in Eritrea is 13% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Eritrea | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Nakfa25 (12元) | 45元 | - 73% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Nakfa90 (43元) | 59元 | - 27% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | 114元 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Nakfa120 (58元) | 67元 | - 14% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Nakfa125 (60元) | 57元 | + 5% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Nakfa125 (60元) | 25元 | + 140% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Nakfa55 (26元) | 6元 | + 327% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Nakfa65 (31元) | 15元 | + 103% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | 64元 | - | |
| Entertainment | - 5% | |||
| Entertainment in Eritrea is 5% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Eritrea | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Nakfa382 (183元) | 169元 | + 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | 100元 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Nakfa550 (264元) | 1,179元 | - 78% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Nakfa915 (438元) | 320元 | + 37% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Nakfa100 (48元) | 81元 | - 41% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Nakfa25 (12元) | 28元 | - 56% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Nakfa24 (11元) | 19元 | - 40% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Nakfa8,750 (4,193元) | 3,680元 | + 14% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Nakfa1.50 (0.72元) | 0.34元 | + 115% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Nakfa325 (156元) | 394元 | - 60% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Nakfa50 (24元) | 25元 | - 3% | |
| TOTAL | + 38% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 745 prices entered by 117 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.47923
CNY
/
ERN
Cost of living in Eritrea is 38% more expensive than in China
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