Cost Of Living For a Student in Eritrea 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: ERN
Average monthly spending for students in Eritrea
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Eritrea?
Students in Eritrea spend around 3,500 ERN per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 530 ERN or as high as 23,000 ERN. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Eritrea
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
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
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 17,000 ERN | 34,000 ERN | 46,000 ERN |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
Woman shoes
Men's shoes
Men suit
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 570 ERN | 860 ERN | 2,300 ERN |
1-bedroom apartment
| 860 ERN | 1,400 ERN | 3,400 ERN |
2-bedroom apartment
| 1,100 ERN | 1,700 ERN | 4,600 ERN |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 110,000 ERN | 170,000 ERN | 340,000 ERN |
1-bedroom apartment
| 140,000 ERN | 230,000 ERN | 860,000 ERN |
2-bedroom apartment
| 230,000 ERN | 690,000 ERN | 1.4M ERN |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 690 ERN | 860 ERN | 1,100 ERN |
Double Bed
Single Bed
Living Room
| 760 ERN | 980 ERN | 3,400 ERN |
Dining Table
Sofa or Couch
| 460 ERN | 620 ERN | 1,400 ERN |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 460 ERN | 690 ERN | 1,400 ERN |
Fridge or Freezer
Washing Machine
| 530 ERN | 760 ERN | 1,400 ERN |
Stove or Cooker
Mobile Phone
Laptop or Computer
| 620 ERN | 760 ERN | 1,400 ERN |
How do students spend their money in Eritrea?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost16%
16% of total expenses on average (11% to 22%)
| LOW | $8.5 130 ERN |
| AVERAGE | $56 850 ERN |
| HIGH | $380 5,600 ERN |
| Per Month |
Students in Eritrea typically spend from 11% to 22% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 16% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 850 ERN with expenditure ranging from 130 ERN to 5,600 ERN. 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 utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $1.4 21 ERN |
| AVERAGE | $9.4 140 ERN |
| HIGH | $63 940 ERN |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Eritrea ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 140 ERN with 21 ERN and 940 ERN being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel3%
3% of total expenses on average (4% to 9%)
| LOW | $2.5 37 ERN |
| AVERAGE | $16 250 ERN |
| HIGH | $110 1,600 ERN |
| 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 37 ERN to 1,600 ERN in a month on commuting with 250 ERN being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 3% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 9%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost24%
24% of total expenses on average (18% to 28%)
| LOW | $7 110 ERN |
| AVERAGE | $47 700 ERN |
| HIGH | $310 4,700 ERN |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Eritrea is 700 ERN. The cost of groceries can range between 110 ERN to 4,700 ERN. Students spend on average about 24% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 18% and 28% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare10%
10% of total expenses on average (7% to 13%)
| LOW | $2.1 32 ERN |
| AVERAGE | $14 210 ERN |
| HIGH | $94 1,400 ERN |
| Per Month |
Students in Eritrea allocate 7% to 13% 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 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 32 ERN to 1,400 ERN with 210 ERN being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)
| LOW | $1.8 26 ERN |
| AVERAGE | $12 180 ERN |
| HIGH | $78 1,200 ERN |
| 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 26 ERN to 1,200 ERN with 180 ERN being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $6.7 100 ERN |
| AVERAGE | $45 670 ERN |
| HIGH | $300 4,500 ERN |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 670 ERN per month with 100 ERN being the minimum spent amount and 4,500 ERN being the maximum.
Other Expenses20%
20% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)
| LOW | $5.3 79 ERN |
| AVERAGE | $35 530 ERN |
| HIGH | $230 3,500 ERN |
| 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 Eritrea
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Eritrea?
Around 45% of surveyed students think that living in Eritrea is affordable with proper budgeting while 55% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Eritrea
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 options52%
Few low-cost options48%
Based on the survey, 52% of the students living in Eritrea have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 48% 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 Eritrea whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes41%
No59%
Based on the survey, 59% of the students living in Eritrea said that they don't have an emergency fund while 41% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Eritrea
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 Leteracy40%
We asked student guardians and parents in Eritrea whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 60% 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 40% 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 Eritrea have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 63% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 37% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance63%
Easily manages finances37%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Eritrea
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Eritrea
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 570 ERN | 860 ERN | 2,300 ERN |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 860 ERN | 1,400 ERN | 3,400 ERN |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 1,100 ERN | 1,700 ERN | 4,600 ERN |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 1,400 ERN | 2,300 ERN | 6,200 ERN |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 2,700 ERN | 6,900 ERN | 14,000 ERN |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 2,300 ERN | 3,400 ERN | 9,800 ERN |
House monthly rent cost
| 2,700 ERN | 6,900 ERN | 14,000 ERN |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 3,400 ERN | 8,600 ERN | 14,000 ERN |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Eritrea ranges between 570 ERN and 2,300 ERN, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 860 ERN to 3,400 ERN. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 1,100 ERN and 4,600 ERN per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 1,400 ERN to 6,200 ERN. The average rent of a townhouse in Eritrea is around 3,400 ERN while house rental costs can be as high as 6,900 ERN per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 3,400 ERN to 14,000 ERN per month.
Apartment and house prices in Eritrea
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 110,000 ERN | 170,000 ERN | 340,000 ERN |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 140,000 ERN | 230,000 ERN | 860,000 ERN |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 230,000 ERN | 690,000 ERN | 1.4M ERN |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 760,000 ERN | 1.1M ERN | 3.4M ERN |
Townhouse price
| 980,000 ERN | 2.3M ERN | 8.6M ERN |
| $65,000 | $150,000 | $570,000 |
House price
| 1.1M ERN | 6.9M ERN | 9.8M ERN |
| $76,000 | $460,000 | $650,000 |
Villa price
| 1.4M ERN | 7.6M ERN | 11M ERN |
| $91,000 | $510,000 | $760,000 |
The average price of a studio apartment in Eritrea can range from 110,000 ERN to 340,000 ERN depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 140,000 ERN to 860,000 ERN. A villa can cost you 7.6M ERN on average with prices ranging from 1.4M ERN to 11M ERN.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Eritrea 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
| 27 | x73 monthly income | 184 |
Property prices in Eritrea can be x73 to x184 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x73 multiples of the average monthly salary in Eritrea.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Eritrea is around 27%. This means that people pay 27% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 17% to 37% 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
25% 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.
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 Eritrea
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Eritrea
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
Internet and cable cost
Mobile phone bill and charges
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 140 ERN. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 34 ERN to 91 ERN with 69 ERN being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 46 ERN but can range between 27 ERN and 140 ERN 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 Eritrea is around 7%. This means that people pay 7% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Eritrea
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Eritrea
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 Eritrea is approximatly 14 ERN with meal cost ranging from 6.9 ERN to 23 ERN. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 23 ERN and 69 ERN with 34 ERN being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Eritrea.
Fine dining meal for one price
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 46 ERN to 270 ERN with the average cost being 69 ERN for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Eritrea.
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 Eritrea is around 9.1 ERN. Price ranges between 5.7 ERN and 14 ERN 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 Eritrea is 5.5 ERN. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 6.9 ERN and the minimum being 4.6 ERN depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 4.6 ERN on average with 3.4 ERN and 6.9 ERN being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Eritrea is between 7.8 ERN and 14 ERN depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 10 ERN.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 14 ERN. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Eritrea costs around 5 ERN on average with prices rangeing between 3.7 ERN and 7.1 ERN depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 1.4 ERN to 3.4 ERN. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 3.2 ERN 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 Eritrea is around 28%. This means that students spend 28% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 20% to 34% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 110 ERN to 4,700 ERN with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
