Cost Of Living For a Student in Somalia 2024
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: SOS
Average monthly spending for students in Somalia
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Somalia?
Students in Somalia spend around 130,000 SOS per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 20,000 SOS or as high as 890,000 SOS. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Somalia
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
| 870 SOS | 1,300 SOS | 2,600 SOS |
Fine dining meal for one
| 1,700 SOS | 2,600 SOS | 10,000 SOS |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
| 350 SOS | 520 SOS | 1,000 SOS |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 1,300 SOS | 1,700 SOS | 3,500 SOS |
Average car 1-day rental
| 1,300 SOS | 1,700 SOS | 2,600 SOS |
Average car price
| 650,000 SOS | 1.3M SOS | 1.7M SOS |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 1,700 SOS | 2,600 SOS | 5,200 SOS |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 800 SOS | 5,300 SOS | 36,000 SOS |
Internet and cable
| 1,300 SOS | 2,600 SOS | 3,500 SOS |
Mobile phone charges
| 1,000 SOS | 1,700 SOS | 5,200 SOS |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 650 SOS | 870 SOS | 1,300 SOS |
One month gym membership
| 2,100 SOS | 2,600 SOS | 5,200 SOS |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 1,500 SOS | 2,200 SOS | 3,300 SOS |
Woman dress
| 1,400 SOS | 2,000 SOS | 6,500 SOS |
Woman shoes
| 1,400 SOS | 1,900 SOS | 4,300 SOS |
Men's shoes
| 1,200 SOS | 1,400 SOS | 2,900 SOS |
Men suit
| 1,300 SOS | 1,600 SOS | 8,700 SOS |
Regular t-shirt
| 650 SOS | 870 SOS | 2,600 SOS |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 22,000 SOS | 33,000 SOS | 87,000 SOS |
1-bedroom apartment
| 33,000 SOS | 52,000 SOS | 130,000 SOS |
2-bedroom apartment
| 43,000 SOS | 65,000 SOS | 170,000 SOS |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 4.3M SOS | 6.5M SOS | 13M SOS |
1-bedroom apartment
| 5.2M SOS | 8.7M SOS | 33M SOS |
2-bedroom apartment
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 26,000 SOS | 33,000 SOS | 43,000 SOS |
Double Bed
| 17,000 SOS | 26,000 SOS | 33,000 SOS |
Single Bed
| 15,000 SOS | 20,000 SOS | 26,000 SOS |
Living Room
| 29,000 SOS | 37,000 SOS | 130,000 SOS |
Dining Table
| 13,000 SOS | 17,000 SOS | 33,000 SOS |
Sofa or Couch
| 17,000 SOS | 24,000 SOS | 52,000 SOS |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 17,000 SOS | 26,000 SOS | 52,000 SOS |
Fridge or Freezer
| 15,000 SOS | 24,000 SOS | 33,000 SOS |
Washing Machine
| 20,000 SOS | 29,000 SOS | 52,000 SOS |
Stove or Cooker
| 19,000 SOS | 24,000 SOS | 33,000 SOS |
Mobile Phone
| 22,000 SOS | 26,000 SOS | 37,000 SOS |
Laptop or Computer
| 24,000 SOS | 29,000 SOS | 52,000 SOS |
How do students spend their money in Somalia?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost19%
19% of total expenses on average (14% to 25%)
| LOW | $8.4 4,800 SOS |
| AVERAGE | $56 32,000 SOS |
| HIGH | $370 210,000 SOS |
| Per Month |
Students in Somalia typically spend from 14% to 25% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 19% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 32,000 SOS with expenditure ranging from 4,800 SOS to 210,000 SOS. 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 | $1.4 800 SOS |
| AVERAGE | $9.4 5,300 SOS |
| HIGH | $62 36,000 SOS |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Somalia ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 5,300 SOS with 800 SOS and 36,000 SOS 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 | $2.5 1,400 SOS |
| AVERAGE | $16 9,400 SOS |
| HIGH | $110 62,000 SOS |
| 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 1,400 SOS to 62,000 SOS in a month on commuting with 9,400 SOS 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 4,000 SOS |
| AVERAGE | $47 27,000 SOS |
| HIGH | $310 180,000 SOS |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Somalia is 27,000 SOS. The cost of groceries can range between 4,000 SOS to 180,000 SOS. 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 | $2.1 1,200 SOS |
| AVERAGE | $14 8,000 SOS |
| HIGH | $94 53,000 SOS |
| Per Month |
Students in Somalia 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 1,200 SOS to 53,000 SOS with 8,000 SOS 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 | $1.8 1,000 SOS |
| AVERAGE | $12 6,700 SOS |
| HIGH | $78 45,000 SOS |
| 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 1,000 SOS to 45,000 SOS with 6,700 SOS 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 schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $6.7 3,800 SOS |
| AVERAGE | $45 25,000 SOS |
| HIGH | $300 170,000 SOS |
| 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 25,000 SOS per month with 3,800 SOS being the minimum spent amount and 170,000 SOS being the maximum.
Other Expenses18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $5.3 3,000 SOS |
| AVERAGE | $35 20,000 SOS |
| HIGH | $230 130,000 SOS |
| 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 Somalia
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Somalia?
Around 50% of surveyed students think that living in Somalia is affordable with proper budgeting while 50% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Somalia
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 options56%
Few low-cost options44%
Based on the survey, 56% of the students living in Somalia have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 44% 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 Somalia whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes50%
No50%
Based on the survey, 50% of the students living in Somalia said that they don't have an emergency fund while 50% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Somalia
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 Leteracy45%
We asked student guardians and parents in Somalia whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 55% 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 45% 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 Somalia have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 45% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 55% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance45%
Easily manages finances55%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Somalia
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Somalia
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 22,000 SOS | 33,000 SOS | 87,000 SOS |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 33,000 SOS | 52,000 SOS | 130,000 SOS |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 43,000 SOS | 65,000 SOS | 170,000 SOS |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 52,000 SOS | 87,000 SOS | 240,000 SOS |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 100,000 SOS | 260,000 SOS | 520,000 SOS |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 87,000 SOS | 130,000 SOS | 370,000 SOS |
House monthly rent cost
| 100,000 SOS | 260,000 SOS | 520,000 SOS |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 130,000 SOS | 330,000 SOS | 520,000 SOS |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Somalia ranges between 22,000 SOS and 87,000 SOS, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 33,000 SOS to 130,000 SOS. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 43,000 SOS and 170,000 SOS per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 52,000 SOS to 240,000 SOS. The average rent of a townhouse in Somalia is around 130,000 SOS while house rental costs can be as high as 260,000 SOS per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 130,000 SOS to 520,000 SOS per month.
Apartment and house prices in Somalia
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 4.3M SOS | 6.5M SOS | 13M SOS |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 5.2M SOS | 8.7M SOS | 33M SOS |
2-bedroom apartment price
3-bedroom apartment price
Townhouse price
| $65,000 | $150,000 | $570,000 |
House price
| 43M SOS | 260M SOS | 370M SOS |
| $76,000 | $460,000 | $650,000 |
Villa price
| 52M SOS | 290M SOS | 430M SOS |
| $91,000 | $510,000 | $760,000 |
The average price of a studio apartment in Somalia can range from 4.3M SOS to 13M SOS depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 5.2M SOS to 33M SOS. A villa can cost you 290M SOS on average with prices ranging from 52M SOS to 430M SOS.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Somalia 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
| 34 | x96 monthly income | 197 |
Property prices in Somalia can be x96 to x197 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x96 multiples of the average monthly salary in Somalia.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Somalia is around 30%. This means that people pay 30% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 20% to 40% 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
28% 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.
| 400 SOS | 5,200 SOS | 52,000 SOS |
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 Somalia
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Somalia
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 800 SOS | 5,300 SOS | 36,000 SOS |
Internet and cable cost
| 1,300 SOS | 2,600 SOS | 3,500 SOS |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 1,000 SOS | 1,700 SOS | 5,200 SOS |
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 5,300 SOS. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 1,300 SOS to 3,500 SOS with 2,600 SOS being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 1,700 SOS but can range between 1,000 SOS and 5,200 SOS 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 Somalia 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 Somalia
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Somalia
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 Somalia is approximatly 520 SOS with meal cost ranging from 260 SOS to 870 SOS. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 870 SOS | 1,300 SOS | 2,600 SOS |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 870 SOS and 2,600 SOS with 1,300 SOS being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Somalia.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 1,700 SOS | 2,600 SOS | 10,000 SOS |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 1,700 SOS to 10,000 SOS with the average cost being 2,600 SOS for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Somalia.
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 Somalia is around 350 SOS. Price ranges between 220 SOS and 520 SOS 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 Somalia is 210 SOS. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 260 SOS and the minimum being 170 SOS depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 170 SOS on average with 130 SOS and 260 SOS being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Somalia is between 300 SOS and 540 SOS depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 380 SOS.
Pack of beef price
| 350 SOS | 520 SOS | 1,000 SOS |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 520 SOS. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Somalia costs around 190 SOS on average with prices rangeing between 140 SOS and 270 SOS depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 52 SOS to 130 SOS. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 120 SOS 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 Somalia 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 4,000 SOS to 180,000 SOS with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
