Cost Of Living For a Student in Mauritania 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: MRU
Average monthly spending for students in Mauritania
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Mauritania?
Students in Mauritania spend around 10,000 MRU per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 1,500 MRU or as high as 68,000 MRU. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Mauritania
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
| 50,000 MRU | 100,000 MRU | 130,000 MRU |
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
| 1,700 MRU | 2,500 MRU | 6,700 MRU |
1-bedroom apartment
| 2,500 MRU | 4,000 MRU | 10,000 MRU |
2-bedroom apartment
| 3,300 MRU | 5,000 MRU | 13,000 MRU |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 330,000 MRU | 500,000 MRU | 1,000,000 MRU |
1-bedroom apartment
| 400,000 MRU | 670,000 MRU | 2.5M MRU |
2-bedroom apartment
| 670,000 MRU | 2M MRU | 4M MRU |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 2,000 MRU | 2,500 MRU | 3,300 MRU |
Double Bed
| 1,300 MRU | 2,000 MRU | 2,500 MRU |
Single Bed
| 1,200 MRU | 1,500 MRU | 2,000 MRU |
Living Room
| 2,200 MRU | 2,900 MRU | 10,000 MRU |
Dining Table
| 1,000 MRU | 1,300 MRU | 2,500 MRU |
Sofa or Couch
| 1,300 MRU | 1,800 MRU | 4,000 MRU |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 1,300 MRU | 2,000 MRU | 4,000 MRU |
Fridge or Freezer
| 1,200 MRU | 1,800 MRU | 2,500 MRU |
Washing Machine
| 1,500 MRU | 2,200 MRU | 4,000 MRU |
Stove or Cooker
| 1,400 MRU | 1,800 MRU | 2,500 MRU |
Mobile Phone
| 1,700 MRU | 2,000 MRU | 2,900 MRU |
Laptop or Computer
| 1,800 MRU | 2,200 MRU | 4,000 MRU |
How do students spend their money in Mauritania?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost17%
17% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)
| LOW | $9.3 370 MRU |
| AVERAGE | $62 2,500 MRU |
| HIGH | $410 16,000 MRU |
| Per Month |
Students in Mauritania typically spend from 12% to 23% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 17% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 2,500 MRU with expenditure ranging from 370 MRU to 16,000 MRU. 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 | $1.5 61 MRU |
| AVERAGE | $10 410 MRU |
| HIGH | $69 2,700 MRU |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Mauritania ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 410 MRU with 61 MRU and 2,700 MRU being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $2.7 110 MRU |
| AVERAGE | $18 720 MRU |
| HIGH | $120 4,800 MRU |
| 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 110 MRU to 4,800 MRU in a month on commuting with 720 MRU being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $7.7 310 MRU |
| AVERAGE | $51 2,000 MRU |
| HIGH | $340 14,000 MRU |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Mauritania is 2,000 MRU. The cost of groceries can range between 310 MRU to 14,000 MRU. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $2.3 92 MRU |
| AVERAGE | $15 610 MRU |
| HIGH | $100 4,100 MRU |
| Per Month |
Students in Mauritania allocate 6% to 12% 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 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 92 MRU to 4,100 MRU with 610 MRU being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)
| LOW | $1.9 77 MRU |
| AVERAGE | $13 510 MRU |
| HIGH | $86 3,400 MRU |
| 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 77 MRU to 3,400 MRU with 510 MRU being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% 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 | $7.3 290 MRU |
| AVERAGE | $49 1,900 MRU |
| HIGH | $330 13,000 MRU |
| 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 1,900 MRU per month with 290 MRU being the minimum spent amount and 13,000 MRU being the maximum.
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $5.8 230 MRU |
| AVERAGE | $39 1,500 MRU |
| HIGH | $260 10,000 MRU |
| 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 Mauritania
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Mauritania?
Around 45% of surveyed students think that living in Mauritania 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 Mauritania
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 Mauritania 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 Mauritania whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes41%
No59%
Based on the survey, 59% of the students living in Mauritania said that they don't have an emergency fund while 41% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Mauritania
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 Mauritania 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 Mauritania have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 64% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 36% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance64%
Easily manages finances36%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Mauritania
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Mauritania
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 1,700 MRU | 2,500 MRU | 6,700 MRU |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 2,500 MRU | 4,000 MRU | 10,000 MRU |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 3,300 MRU | 5,000 MRU | 13,000 MRU |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 4,000 MRU | 6,700 MRU | 18,000 MRU |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 8,000 MRU | 20,000 MRU | 40,000 MRU |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 6,700 MRU | 10,000 MRU | 29,000 MRU |
House monthly rent cost
| 8,000 MRU | 20,000 MRU | 40,000 MRU |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 10,000 MRU | 25,000 MRU | 40,000 MRU |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Mauritania ranges between 1,700 MRU and 6,700 MRU, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 2,500 MRU to 10,000 MRU. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 3,300 MRU and 13,000 MRU per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 4,000 MRU to 18,000 MRU. The average rent of a townhouse in Mauritania is around 10,000 MRU while house rental costs can be as high as 20,000 MRU per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 10,000 MRU to 40,000 MRU per month.
Apartment and house prices in Mauritania
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 330,000 MRU | 500,000 MRU | 1,000,000 MRU |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 400,000 MRU | 670,000 MRU | 2.5M MRU |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 670,000 MRU | 2M MRU | 4M MRU |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 2.2M MRU | 3.3M MRU | 10M MRU |
Townhouse price
| 2.9M MRU | 6.7M MRU | 25M MRU |
| $72,000 | $170,000 | $630,000 |
House price
| $84,000 | $500,000 | $720,000 |
Villa price
| $100,000 | $560,000 | $840,000 |
The average price of a studio apartment in Mauritania can range from 330,000 MRU to 1,000,000 MRU depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 400,000 MRU to 2.5M MRU. A villa can cost you 22M MRU on average with prices ranging from 4M MRU to 33M MRU.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Mauritania 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
| 29 | x81 monthly income | 189 |
Property prices in Mauritania can be x81 to x189 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x81 multiples of the average monthly salary in Mauritania.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Mauritania is around 28%. This means that people pay 28% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 18% to 38% 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
26% 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 Mauritania
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Mauritania
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 410 MRU. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 100 MRU to 270 MRU with 200 MRU being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 130 MRU but can range between 80 MRU and 400 MRU 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 Mauritania 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 Mauritania
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Mauritania
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 Mauritania is approximatly 40 MRU with meal cost ranging from 20 MRU to 67 MRU. 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 67 MRU and 200 MRU with 100 MRU being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Mauritania.
Fine dining meal for one price
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 130 MRU to 800 MRU with the average cost being 200 MRU for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Mauritania.
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 Mauritania is around 27 MRU. Price ranges between 17 MRU and 40 MRU 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 Mauritania is 16 MRU. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 20 MRU and the minimum being 13 MRU depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 13 MRU on average with 10 MRU and 20 MRU being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Mauritania is between 23 MRU and 42 MRU depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 29 MRU.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 40 MRU. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Mauritania costs around 15 MRU on average with prices rangeing between 11 MRU and 21 MRU depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 4 MRU to 10 MRU. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 9.3 MRU 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 Mauritania is around 27%. This means that students spend 27% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 33% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 310 MRU to 14,000 MRU with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
