Cost Of Living For a Student in Syria 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: SYP
Average monthly spending for students in Syria
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Syria?
Students in Syria spend around 78,000 SYP per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 12,000 SYP or as high as 520,000 SYP. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Syria
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
| 500 SYP | 750 SYP | 1,500 SYP |
Fine dining meal for one
| 990 SYP | 1,500 SYP | 6,000 SYP |
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
| 750 SYP | 990 SYP | 2,000 SYP |
Average car 1-day rental
| 750 SYP | 990 SYP | 1,500 SYP |
Average car price
| 370,000 SYP | 750,000 SYP | 990,000 SYP |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 990 SYP | 1,500 SYP | 3,000 SYP |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 470 SYP | 3,100 SYP | 21,000 SYP |
Internet and cable
| 750 SYP | 1,500 SYP | 2,000 SYP |
Mobile phone charges
| 600 SYP | 990 SYP | 3,000 SYP |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
| 1,200 SYP | 1,500 SYP | 3,000 SYP |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 880 SYP | 1,200 SYP | 1,900 SYP |
Woman dress
| 830 SYP | 1,100 SYP | 3,700 SYP |
Woman shoes
| 780 SYP | 1,100 SYP | 2,500 SYP |
Men's shoes
| 680 SYP | 830 SYP | 1,700 SYP |
Men suit
| 750 SYP | 930 SYP | 5,000 SYP |
Regular t-shirt
| 370 SYP | 500 SYP | 1,500 SYP |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 12,000 SYP | 19,000 SYP | 50,000 SYP |
1-bedroom apartment
| 19,000 SYP | 30,000 SYP | 75,000 SYP |
2-bedroom apartment
| 25,000 SYP | 37,000 SYP | 99,000 SYP |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 2.5M SYP | 3.7M SYP | 7.5M SYP |
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 15,000 SYP | 19,000 SYP | 25,000 SYP |
Double Bed
| 9,900 SYP | 15,000 SYP | 19,000 SYP |
Single Bed
| 8,800 SYP | 11,000 SYP | 15,000 SYP |
Living Room
| 17,000 SYP | 21,000 SYP | 75,000 SYP |
Dining Table
| 7,500 SYP | 9,900 SYP | 19,000 SYP |
Sofa or Couch
| 9,900 SYP | 14,000 SYP | 30,000 SYP |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 9,900 SYP | 15,000 SYP | 30,000 SYP |
Fridge or Freezer
| 8,800 SYP | 14,000 SYP | 19,000 SYP |
Washing Machine
| 11,000 SYP | 17,000 SYP | 30,000 SYP |
Stove or Cooker
| 11,000 SYP | 14,000 SYP | 19,000 SYP |
Mobile Phone
| 12,000 SYP | 15,000 SYP | 21,000 SYP |
Laptop or Computer
| 14,000 SYP | 17,000 SYP | 30,000 SYP |
How do students spend their money in Syria?
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 | $0.22 2,800 SYP |
| AVERAGE | $1.4 19,000 SYP |
| HIGH | $9.6 130,000 SYP |
| Per Month |
Students in Syria 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 19,000 SYP with expenditure ranging from 2,800 SYP to 130,000 SYP. 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 | $0.04 470 SYP |
| AVERAGE | $0.24 3,100 SYP |
| HIGH | $1.6 21,000 SYP |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Syria ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 3,100 SYP with 470 SYP and 21,000 SYP 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 | $0.06 820 SYP |
| AVERAGE | $0.42 5,500 SYP |
| HIGH | $2.8 37,000 SYP |
| 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 820 SYP to 37,000 SYP in a month on commuting with 5,500 SYP 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 | $0.18 2,300 SYP |
| AVERAGE | $1.2 16,000 SYP |
| HIGH | $8 100,000 SYP |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Syria is 16,000 SYP. The cost of groceries can range between 2,300 SYP to 100,000 SYP. 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 | $0.05 700 SYP |
| AVERAGE | $0.36 4,700 SYP |
| HIGH | $2.4 31,000 SYP |
| Per Month |
Students in Syria 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 700 SYP to 31,000 SYP with 4,700 SYP 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 | $0.04 580 SYP |
| AVERAGE | $0.30 3,900 SYP |
| HIGH | $2 26,000 SYP |
| 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 580 SYP to 26,000 SYP with 3,900 SYP 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 | $0.17 2,200 SYP |
| AVERAGE | $1.1 15,000 SYP |
| HIGH | $7.6 99,000 SYP |
| 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 15,000 SYP per month with 2,200 SYP being the minimum spent amount and 99,000 SYP being the maximum.
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $0.13 1,800 SYP |
| AVERAGE | $0.90 12,000 SYP |
| HIGH | $6 78,000 SYP |
| 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 Syria
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Syria?
Around 42% of surveyed students think that living in Syria is affordable with proper budgeting while 58% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Syria
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 options53%
Few low-cost options47%
Based on the survey, 53% of the students living in Syria have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 47% 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 whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes41%
No59%
Based on the survey, 59% of the students living in Syria said that they don't have an emergency fund while 41% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in
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 Leteracy37%
We asked student guardians and parents in Syria whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 63% 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 37% 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 have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 56% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 44% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance56%
Easily manages finances44%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Syria
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Syria
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 12,000 SYP | 19,000 SYP | 50,000 SYP |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 19,000 SYP | 30,000 SYP | 75,000 SYP |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 25,000 SYP | 37,000 SYP | 99,000 SYP |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 30,000 SYP | 50,000 SYP | 140,000 SYP |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 60,000 SYP | 150,000 SYP | 300,000 SYP |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 50,000 SYP | 75,000 SYP | 210,000 SYP |
House monthly rent cost
| 60,000 SYP | 150,000 SYP | 300,000 SYP |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 75,000 SYP | 190,000 SYP | 300,000 SYP |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Syria ranges between 12,000 SYP and 50,000 SYP, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 19,000 SYP to 75,000 SYP. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 25,000 SYP and 99,000 SYP per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 30,000 SYP to 140,000 SYP. The average rent of a townhouse in Syria is around 75,000 SYP while house rental costs can be as high as 150,000 SYP per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 75,000 SYP to 300,000 SYP per month.
Apartment and house prices in Syria
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 2.5M SYP | 3.7M SYP | 7.5M SYP |
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
3-bedroom apartment price
Townhouse price
House price
| 25M SYP | 150M SYP | 210M SYP |
Villa price
| 30M SYP | 170M SYP | 250M SYP |
The average price of a studio apartment in Syria can range from 2.5M SYP to 7.5M SYP depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 3M SYP to 19M SYP. A villa can cost you 170M SYP on average with prices ranging from 30M SYP to 250M SYP.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Syria 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
| 30 | x83 monthly income | 190 |
Property prices in Syria can be x83 to x190 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x83 multiples of the average monthly salary in Syria.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Syria 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.
| 230 SYP | 3,000 SYP | 30,000 SYP |
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 Syria
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Syria
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 470 SYP | 3,100 SYP | 21,000 SYP |
Internet and cable cost
| 750 SYP | 1,500 SYP | 2,000 SYP |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 600 SYP | 990 SYP | 3,000 SYP |
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 3,100 SYP. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 750 SYP to 2,000 SYP with 1,500 SYP being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 990 SYP but can range between 600 SYP and 3,000 SYP 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 Syria 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 Syria
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Syria
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 Syria is approximatly 300 SYP with meal cost ranging from 150 SYP to 500 SYP. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 500 SYP | 750 SYP | 1,500 SYP |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 500 SYP and 1,500 SYP with 750 SYP being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Syria.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 990 SYP | 1,500 SYP | 6,000 SYP |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 990 SYP to 6,000 SYP with the average cost being 1,500 SYP for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Syria.
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 Syria is around 200 SYP. Price ranges between 120 SYP and 300 SYP 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 Syria is 120 SYP. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 150 SYP and the minimum being 99 SYP depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 99 SYP on average with 75 SYP and 150 SYP being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Syria is between 170 SYP and 310 SYP depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 220 SYP.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 300 SYP. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Syria costs around 110 SYP on average with prices rangeing between 80 SYP and 160 SYP depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 30 SYP to 75 SYP. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 70 SYP on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 2,300 SYP to 100,000 SYP with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
