Cost Of Living For a Student in Djibouti 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: DJF
Average monthly spending for students in Djibouti
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Djibouti?
Students in Djibouti spend around 87,000 DJF per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 13,000 DJF or as high as 580,000 DJF. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Djibouti
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
| 590 DJF | 880 DJF | 1,800 DJF |
Fine dining meal for one
| 1,200 DJF | 1,800 DJF | 7,100 DJF |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 880 DJF | 1,200 DJF | 2,400 DJF |
Average car 1-day rental
| 880 DJF | 1,200 DJF | 1,800 DJF |
Average car price
| 440,000 DJF | 880,000 DJF | 1.2M DJF |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 1,200 DJF | 1,800 DJF | 3,500 DJF |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 530 DJF | 3,500 DJF | 23,000 DJF |
Internet and cable
| 880 DJF | 1,800 DJF | 2,400 DJF |
Mobile phone charges
| 710 DJF | 1,200 DJF | 3,500 DJF |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
| 1,400 DJF | 1,800 DJF | 3,500 DJF |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 1,000 DJF | 1,500 DJF | 2,200 DJF |
Woman dress
| 980 DJF | 1,400 DJF | 4,400 DJF |
Woman shoes
| 930 DJF | 1,300 DJF | 2,900 DJF |
Men's shoes
| 800 DJF | 980 DJF | 2,000 DJF |
Men suit
| 880 DJF | 1,100 DJF | 5,900 DJF |
Regular t-shirt
| 440 DJF | 590 DJF | 1,800 DJF |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 15,000 DJF | 22,000 DJF | 59,000 DJF |
1-bedroom apartment
| 22,000 DJF | 35,000 DJF | 88,000 DJF |
2-bedroom apartment
| 29,000 DJF | 44,000 DJF | 120,000 DJF |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 2.9M DJF | 4.4M DJF | 8.8M DJF |
1-bedroom apartment
| 3.5M DJF | 5.9M DJF | 22M DJF |
2-bedroom apartment
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 18,000 DJF | 22,000 DJF | 29,000 DJF |
Double Bed
| 12,000 DJF | 18,000 DJF | 22,000 DJF |
Single Bed
| 10,000 DJF | 14,000 DJF | 18,000 DJF |
Living Room
| 20,000 DJF | 25,000 DJF | 88,000 DJF |
Dining Table
| 8,800 DJF | 12,000 DJF | 22,000 DJF |
Sofa or Couch
| 12,000 DJF | 16,000 DJF | 35,000 DJF |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 12,000 DJF | 18,000 DJF | 35,000 DJF |
Fridge or Freezer
| 10,000 DJF | 16,000 DJF | 22,000 DJF |
Washing Machine
| 14,000 DJF | 20,000 DJF | 35,000 DJF |
Stove or Cooker
| 13,000 DJF | 16,000 DJF | 22,000 DJF |
Mobile Phone
| 15,000 DJF | 18,000 DJF | 25,000 DJF |
Laptop or Computer
| 16,000 DJF | 20,000 DJF | 35,000 DJF |
How do students spend their money in Djibouti?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost20%
20% of total expenses on average (15% to 26%)
| LOW | $18 3,200 DJF |
| AVERAGE | $120 21,000 DJF |
| HIGH | $790 140,000 DJF |
| Per Month |
Students in Djibouti typically spend from 15% to 26% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 20% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 21,000 DJF with expenditure ranging from 3,200 DJF to 140,000 DJF. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $3 530 DJF |
| AVERAGE | $20 3,500 DJF |
| HIGH | $130 23,000 DJF |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Djibouti ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 3,500 DJF with 530 DJF and 23,000 DJF being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $5.2 930 DJF |
| AVERAGE | $34 6,100 DJF |
| HIGH | $230 41,000 DJF |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 930 DJF to 41,000 DJF in a month on commuting with 6,100 DJF being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 5% or as high as 11%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost22%
22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)
| LOW | $15 2,600 DJF |
| AVERAGE | $98 17,000 DJF |
| HIGH | $650 120,000 DJF |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Djibouti is 17,000 DJF. The cost of groceries can range between 2,600 DJF to 120,000 DJF. Students spend on average about 22% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 16% and 26% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $4.5 790 DJF |
| AVERAGE | $29 5,200 DJF |
| HIGH | $200 35,000 DJF |
| Per Month |
Students in Djibouti allocate 5% to 11% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 8%. The range of medical expenses range from 790 DJF to 35,000 DJF with 5,200 DJF being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
| LOW | $3.7 660 DJF |
| AVERAGE | $25 4,400 DJF |
| HIGH | $160 29,000 DJF |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 660 DJF to 29,000 DJF with 4,400 DJF being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $14 2,500 DJF |
| AVERAGE | $93 17,000 DJF |
| HIGH | $620 110,000 DJF |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 19% of the monthly expenditure of students with 12% and 24% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 17,000 DJF per month with 2,500 DJF being the minimum spent amount and 110,000 DJF being the maximum.
Other Expenses17%
17% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $11 2,000 DJF |
| AVERAGE | $74 13,000 DJF |
| HIGH | $490 87,000 DJF |
| Per Month |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Djibouti
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Djibouti?
Around 56% of surveyed students think that living in Djibouti is affordable with proper budgeting while 44% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Djibouti
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options55%
Few low-cost options45%
Based on the survey, 55% of the students living in Djibouti have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 45% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students of Djibouti whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes52%
No48%
Based on the survey, 48% of the students living in Djibouti said that they don't have an emergency fund while 52% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Djibouti
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy51%
We asked student guardians and parents in Djibouti whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 49% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 51% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of Djibouti have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 51% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 49% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance51%
Easily manages finances49%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Djibouti
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Djibouti
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 15,000 DJF | 22,000 DJF | 59,000 DJF |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 22,000 DJF | 35,000 DJF | 88,000 DJF |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 29,000 DJF | 44,000 DJF | 120,000 DJF |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 35,000 DJF | 59,000 DJF | 160,000 DJF |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 71,000 DJF | 180,000 DJF | 350,000 DJF |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 59,000 DJF | 88,000 DJF | 250,000 DJF |
House monthly rent cost
| 71,000 DJF | 180,000 DJF | 350,000 DJF |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 88,000 DJF | 220,000 DJF | 350,000 DJF |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Djibouti ranges between 15,000 DJF and 59,000 DJF, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 22,000 DJF to 88,000 DJF. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 29,000 DJF and 120,000 DJF per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 35,000 DJF to 160,000 DJF. The average rent of a townhouse in Djibouti is around 88,000 DJF while house rental costs can be as high as 180,000 DJF per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 88,000 DJF to 350,000 DJF per month.
Apartment and house prices in Djibouti
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 2.9M DJF | 4.4M DJF | 8.8M DJF |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 3.5M DJF | 5.9M DJF | 22M DJF |
2-bedroom apartment price
3-bedroom apartment price
| $110,000 | $170,000 | $500,000 |
Townhouse price
House price
| 29M DJF | 180M DJF | 250M DJF |
Villa price
| 35M DJF | 200M DJF | 290M DJF |
The average price of a studio apartment in Djibouti can range from 2.9M DJF to 8.8M DJF depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 3.5M DJF to 22M DJF. A villa can cost you 200M DJF on average with prices ranging from 35M DJF to 290M DJF.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Djibouti will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 38 | x109 monthly income | 205 |
Property prices in Djibouti can be x109 to x205 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x109 multiples of the average monthly salary in Djibouti.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Djibouti is around 31%. This means that people pay 31% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 21% to 41% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
29% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 260 DJF | 3,400 DJF | 34,000 DJF |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Djibouti
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Djibouti
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 530 DJF | 3,500 DJF | 23,000 DJF |
Internet and cable cost
| 880 DJF | 1,800 DJF | 2,400 DJF |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 710 DJF | 1,200 DJF | 3,500 DJF |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 3,500 DJF. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 880 DJF to 2,400 DJF with 1,800 DJF being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 1,200 DJF but can range between 710 DJF and 3,500 DJF depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Djibouti is around 6%. This means that people pay 6% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3% to 10% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Djibouti
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Djibouti
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Djibouti is approximatly 350 DJF with meal cost ranging from 180 DJF to 590 DJF. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 590 DJF | 880 DJF | 1,800 DJF |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 590 DJF and 1,800 DJF with 880 DJF being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Djibouti.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 1,200 DJF | 1,800 DJF | 7,100 DJF |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 1,200 DJF to 7,100 DJF with the average cost being 1,800 DJF for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Djibouti.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Djibouti is around 240 DJF. Price ranges between 150 DJF and 350 DJF depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Djibouti is 140 DJF. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 180 DJF and the minimum being 120 DJF depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 120 DJF on average with 88 DJF and 180 DJF being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Djibouti is between 200 DJF and 370 DJF depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 260 DJF.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 350 DJF. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Djibouti costs around 130 DJF on average with prices rangeing between 95 DJF and 180 DJF depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 35 DJF to 88 DJF. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 82 DJF on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Djibouti is around 26%. This means that students spend 26% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 18% to 32% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 2,600 DJF to 120,000 DJF with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
