Cost of living in Eritrea compared to United States
Currency:
Food | + 22% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Eritrea is 22% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Nakfa165 ($11) | $15 | - 27% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Nakfa150 ($10) | $8 | + 23% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Nakfa300 ($20) | $4.21 | + 374% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Nakfa25 ($1.69) | $0.88 | + 91% | |
12 eggs, large | Nakfa72 ($4.79) | $2.93 | + 63% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Nakfa25 ($1.67) | $4.11 | - 59% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Nakfa141 ($9) | $6 | + 49% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Nakfa125 ($8) | $3.27 | + 155% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Nakfa30 ($2.00) | $1.67 | + 20% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Nakfa23 ($1.51) | $3.17 | - 52% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Nakfa275 ($18) | $14 | + 31% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Nakfa15 ($1.00) | $1.97 | - 49% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Nakfa17 ($1.13) | $2.00 | - 43% | |
Housing | - 40% | |||
Housing in Eritrea is 40% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Nakfa12,502 ($833) | $2,192 | - 62% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Nakfa8,000 ($533) | $1,539 | - 65% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Nakfa3,000 ($200) | $177 | + 13% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Nakfa5,183 ($346) | $1,526 | - 77% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Nakfa5,000 ($333) | $1,112 | - 70% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Nakfa2,000 ($133) | $108 | + 23% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Nakfa1,000 ($67) | $49 | + 36% | |
40” flat screen tv | Nakfa11,248 ($750) | $270 | + 177% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Nakfa5,000 ($333) | $127 | + 163% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Nakfa100 ($7) | $11 | - 37% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Nakfa200 ($13) | $21 | - 37% | |
Clothes | + 20% | |||
Clothes in Eritrea is 20% more expensive than in United States | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Nakfa555 ($37) | $47 | - 22% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Nakfa1,000 ($67) | $43 | + 55% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Nakfa1,150 ($77) | $87 | - 11% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Nakfa926 ($62) | $108 | - 43% | |
Transportation | - 18% | |||
Transportation in Eritrea is 18% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Nakfa600,000 ($40,001) | $23,490 | + 70% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Nakfa32 ($2.12) | $0.64 | + 228% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Nakfa300 ($20) | $75 | - 73% | |
Personal Care | + 17% | |||
Personal Care in Eritrea is 17% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Nakfa25 ($1.67) | $7 | - 77% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Nakfa90 ($6) | $16 | - 62% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | $111 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Nakfa120 ($8) | $7 | + 21% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Nakfa125 ($8) | $3.36 | + 148% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Nakfa125 ($8) | $4.85 | + 72% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Nakfa55 ($3.67) | $3.62 | + 1% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Nakfa65 ($4.34) | $1.81 | + 139% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | $21 | - | |
Entertainment | - 47% | |||
Entertainment in Eritrea is 47% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Nakfa382 ($25) | $45 | - 44% | |
2 tickets to the movies | - | $25 | - | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Nakfa550 ($37) | $211 | - 83% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Nakfa915 ($61) | $78 | - 21% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Nakfa100 ($7) | $12 | - 45% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Nakfa25 ($1.67) | $4.96 | - 66% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Nakfa24 ($1.60) | $5.73 | - 72% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Nakfa8,750 ($583) | $412 | + 42% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Nakfa1.50 ($0.10) | $0.45 | - 78% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Nakfa325 ($22) | $49 | - 56% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Nakfa50 ($3.33) | $8 | - 60% | |
TOTAL | - 20% |

These prices were last updated on January 19, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.06667
USD
/
ERN
Cost of living in Eritrea is 20% cheaper than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is about the same as in United States
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in United States
- Cost of living in Armenia is 68% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Argentina is 62% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 9% more expensive than in United States
- Cost of living in Albania is 48% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 52% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 9% cheaper than in United States