Cost of living in Somalia compared to China
Currency:
| Food | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Somalia is about the same as in China | ||||
| Somalia | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | - | 41元 | - | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | - | 38元 | - | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | - | 15元 | - | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | - | 14元 | - | |
| 12 eggs, large | - | 16元 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | - | 10元 | - | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | - | 50元 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | - | 16元 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | - | 6元 | - | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | 7元 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | 89元 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | - | 8元 | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | - | 13元 | - | |
| Housing | + 122% | |||
| Housing in Somalia is 122% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Somalia | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 5,000,000 S (62,950元) | 11,256元 | + 459% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | 5,248元 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | 450元 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | - | 6,564元 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | 3,518元 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | 296元 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | 100元 | - | |
| 40” flat screen tv | - | 1,460元 | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | 553元 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | 43元 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 50元 | - | |
| Clothes | ||||
| Clothes in Somalia is about the same as in China | ||||
| Somalia | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | 418元 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | 302元 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | 553元 | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | 705元 | - | |
| Transportation | ||||
| Transportation in Somalia is about the same as in China | ||||
| Somalia | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | 137,169元 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | - | 8元 | - | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | 228元 | - | |
| Personal Care | ||||
| Personal Care in Somalia is about the same as in China | ||||
| Somalia | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | 45元 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | 59元 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | 114元 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | 67元 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | 57元 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | 25元 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | 6元 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | 15元 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | 64元 | - | |
| Entertainment | ||||
| Entertainment in Somalia is about the same as in China | ||||
| Somalia | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | 169元 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | 100元 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,179元 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | 320元 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | 81元 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | 28元 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | 19元 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | 3,680元 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | 0.34元 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | 394元 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | 25元 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 131% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 793 prices entered by 117 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.01259
CNY
/
SOS
Cost of living in Somalia is 131% more expensive than in China
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 74% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 166% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 107% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Angola is 10% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in Albania is 4% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 66% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Andorra is 89% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in China