Cost Of Living in Tunisia 2024

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Tunisia

Whether you're living in Tunisia or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Average Monthly Expenditure

3,800 TND

per month
$1,200

290 TND   $93
$12,000   38,000 TND

Single

2,600 TND

per month
$840

870 TND   $280
$5,600   17,000 TND

Couple

4,400 TND

per month
$1,400

1,500 TND   $470
$7,500   23,000 TND

Family

5,800 TND

per month
$1,900

2,000 TND   $650
$10,000   32,000 TND

Student

1,800 TND

per month
$570

710 TND   $230
$1,000   3,200 TND
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Tunisia is 2,600 TND. Expenses can range from 870 TND at the minimum level to 17,000 TND at the highest end.


Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Tunisia is 4,400 TND. Expenditure can range from 1,500 TND to 23,000 TND per month.


Families

The average cost of living for families in Tunisia is 5,800 TND per month. Families spend anywhere from 2,000 TND to 32,000 TND.


Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Tunisia is 1,800 TND. Students spend from 710 TND to 3,200 TND per month.


Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.

Prices and cost of goods and services in Tunisia


Dining, food, and beverages costs


Large bottle of water
0.46 TND 0.52 TND 0.60 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.15 $0.17 $0.19
Fast food combo meal
3.9 TND 7.9 TND 13 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.3 $2.5 $4.2
Restaurant meal for one
13 TND 20 TND 39 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.2 $6.3 $13
Fine dining meal for one
26 TND 39 TND 160 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$8.4 $13 $50
Soda or Soft Drink
0.56 TND 0.65 TND 0.79 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.18 $0.21 $0.25
Cappuccino or latte
3.3 TND 5.2 TND 7.9 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1 $1.7 $2.5

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle
2.6 TND 3.1 TND 3.9 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.84 $1 $1.3
Loaf of bread
0.47 TND 0.54 TND 0.62 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.15 $0.17 $0.20
12 eggs
2 TND 2.6 TND 3.9 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.63 $0.84 $1.3
Fresh whole chicken
4.5 TND 5.8 TND 8.2 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.4 $1.9 $2.6
Beef 1 kg or 1 lb
5.2 TND 7.9 TND 16 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.7 $2.5 $5
Rice 1 kg or 1 lb
2.1 TND 2.9 TND 4.1 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.68 $0.93 $1.3
Tomato 1 kg or 1 lb
0.79 TND 1 TND 2 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.25 $0.34 $0.63
Apples 1 kg or 1 lb
1.4 TND 1.8 TND 3 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.45 $0.59 $0.97

Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride
3.3 TND 3.9 TND 7.9 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1 $1.3 $2.5
Average car full tank
20 TND 26 TND 52 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.3 $8.4 $17
Average car 1-day rental
20 TND 26 TND 39 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.3 $8.4 $13
Average car price
9,800 TND 20,000 TND 26,000 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3,100 $6,300 $8,400
Bus ticket one way
0.65 TND 0.98 TND 2 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.21 $0.32 $0.63
Car Service
26 TND 39 TND 79 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$8.4 $13 $25

Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Individual
52 TND 160 TND 1,000 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$17 $50 $340
Utility Bill - Couple
73 TND 220 TND 1,200 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$23 $70 $370
Utility Bill - Family
61 TND 170 TND 960 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$20 $56 $310
Internet and cable
20 TND 39 TND 52 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.3 $13 $17
Mobile phone charges
16 TND 26 TND 79 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5 $8.4 $25

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket
9.8 TND 13 TND 20 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.1 $4.2 $6.3
One month gym membership
31 TND 39 TND 79 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$10 $13 $25

Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants
23 TND 33 TND 49 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$7.4 $10 $16
Woman dress
22 TND 30 TND 98 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$7 $9.7 $31
Woman shoes
21 TND 28 TND 65 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.6 $9 $21
Men's shoes
18 TND 22 TND 44 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.7 $7 $14
Men suit
20 TND 25 TND 130 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.3 $7.9 $42
Regular t-shirt
9.8 TND 13 TND 39 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.1 $4.2 $13

Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment
330 TND 490 TND 1,300 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100 $160 $420
1-bedroom apartment
490 TND 790 TND 2,000 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$160 $250 $630
2-bedroom apartment
650 TND 980 TND 2,600 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$210 $310 $840

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment
65,000 TND 98,000 TND 200,000 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$21,000 $31,000 $63,000
1-bedroom apartment
79,000 TND 130,000 TND 490,000 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$25,000 $42,000 $160,000
2-bedroom apartment
130,000 TND 390,000 TND 790,000 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$42,000 $130,000 $250,000

Furniture Costs


King Size Bed
390 TND 490 TND 650 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$130 $160 $210
Double Bed
260 TND 390 TND 490 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$84 $130 $160
Single Bed
230 TND 300 TND 390 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$74 $97 $130
Living Room
440 TND 560 TND 2,000 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140 $180 $630
Dining Table
200 TND 260 TND 490 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$63 $84 $160
Sofa or Couch
260 TND 360 TND 790 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$84 $110 $250

Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set
260 TND 390 TND 790 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$84 $130 $250
Fridge or Freezer
230 TND 360 TND 490 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$74 $110 $160
Washing Machine
300 TND 440 TND 790 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$97 $140 $250
Stove or Cooker
280 TND 360 TND 490 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$90 $110 $160
Mobile Phone
330 TND 390 TND 560 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100 $130 $180
Laptop or Computer
360 TND 440 TND 790 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110 $140 $250

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Tunisia

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.


Spending to Income Ratio

83%

75% to 93%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Expense to income distribution levels

Spending To Income Ratio% People
< 50%6%
50% - 60%11%
60% - 70%18%
70% - 80%26%
80% - 90%15%
90% - 100%9%
100% - 110%5%
110% - 120%3%
120% - 130%2%
130% - 140%2%
> 140%1%

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Tunisia is 83% This means that on average, people spend around 83% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 18% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.


How can spending be more than income?

A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.



Individual
75%
Spending-Income-Ratio
68%
84%

Couple
79%
Spending-Income-Ratio
71%
88%

Family
87%
Spending-Income-Ratio
79%
98%

How do people spend their money in Tunisia?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing Expenditure27%

27% of total expenses on average (16% to 35%)

LOW$28   87 TND
AVERAGE$360   1,100 TND
HIGH$3,600   11,000 TND
Per Month

People living in Tunisia typically spend from 16% to 35% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 27% being the average. The average spend on housing is 1,100 TND with expenditure ranging from 87 TND to 11,000 TND. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utilities, Electricity, Water6%

6% of total expenses on average (3% to 10%)

LOW$4.7   15 TND
AVERAGE$61   190 TND
HIGH$610   1,900 TND
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Tunisia ranges from 3% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 190 TND with 15 TND and 1,900 TND being the upper and lower limits.

Transport, Fuel, Commute8%

8% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)

LOW$9.3   29 TND
AVERAGE$120   380 TND
HIGH$1,200   3,800 TND
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 29 TND to 3,800 TND on commuting with 380 TND being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 8% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 12%.

Food and Groceries Cost27%

27% of total expenses on average (19% to 33%)

LOW$23   73 TND
AVERAGE$300   950 TND
HIGH$3,000   9,500 TND
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Tunisia is 950 TND. The cost of groceries can range between 73 TND to 9,500 TND. People spend on average about 27% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 19% and 33% respectively.

Healthcare and Medical Services9%

9% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)

LOW$6.5   20 TND
AVERAGE$85   260 TND
HIGH$850   2,600 TND
Per Month

People in Tunisia allocate 4% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 20 TND to 2,600 TND with 260 TND being the norm.

Leisure and Shopping6%

6% of total expenses on average (3% to 10%)

LOW$3.7   12 TND
AVERAGE$49   150 TND
HIGH$490   1,500 TND
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 12 TND to 1,500 TND with 150 TND being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 3% to 10% of total expenses with an average of 6% for most residents.

Education and Schooling6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)

LOW$5.6   17 TND
AVERAGE$73   230 TND
HIGH$730   2,300 TND
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 6% of the monthly expenditure with 4% and 12% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 230 TND per month with 17 TND being the minimum spent amount and 2,300 TND being the maximum.

Other Expenses12%

12% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)

LOW$12   38 TND
AVERAGE$160   490 TND
HIGH$1,600   4,900 TND
Per Month

How much money can you save in Tunisia every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.


What percentage of people in Tunisia manage to save money from their income every month?


Saving Money
65%
Not Saving
35%

Almost 65% of the surveyed people in Tunisia said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 35% said that aren't saving anything.


Percentage of people saving money by population group in Tunisia

GroupSaversNon Savers
Singles65%35%
Couples60%40%
Families55%45%

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


Saving to Income Ratio

12% 21% of income 32%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

100 TND
$33
1,300 TND
$420
13,000 TND
$4,200
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

For most people, 12% to 32% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 21% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 1,300 TND on average with savings ranging from 100 TND to 13,000 TND.

65% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 60% of couples said the same. 55% of families confirmed their ability to save money.


How much money do people actually save in Tunisia?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.


Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

15% 25% of income 34%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

310 TND
$98
920 TND
$290
6,100 TND
$2,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Saving To Income Ratio% Singles
0% - 10%28%
10% - 20%22%
20% - 30%16%
30% - 40%17%
40% - 50%13%
> 50%4%

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 15% to 34% of their monthly income to savings, with 25% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 920 TND with 310 TND and 6,100 TND being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

13% 23% of income 33%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

510 TND
$160
1,500 TND
$490
8,100 TND
$2,600
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Saving To Income Ratio% Couples
0% - 10%32%
10% - 20%24%
20% - 30%19%
30% - 40%12%
40% - 50%10%
> 50%3%

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 13% to 33% of their monthly income, with 23% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 1,500 TND with 510 TND and 8,100 TND being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Families

Saving to Income Ratio

12% 20% of income 30%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

710 TND
$230
2,000 TND
$650
11,000 TND
$3,600
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%35%
10% - 20%27%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%9%
40% - 50%7%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Tunisia can save anywhere between 12% to 30% of their monthly income, with 20% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 2,000 TND with 710 TND and 11,000 TND being the minimum and maximum respectively.

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 Tunisia

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Tunisia?


Yes
65%
No
35%

Around 65% of surveyed residents think that living in Tunisia is affordable with proper budgeting while 35% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Tunisia

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 residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options60%

Few low-cost options40%


Based on the survey, 60% of the people living in Tunisia have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 40% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds

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 residents of Tunisia whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes65%

No35%


Based on the survey, 35% of the people living in Tunisia said that they don't have an emergency fund while 65% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in Tunisia

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 Leteracy60%


We asked residents of Tunisia whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 40% 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 60% 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 residents of Tunisia have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so asked the people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 30% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 70% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance30%

Easily manages finances70%

Financial goals of people in Tunisia

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Tunisia, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund7%
Debt Reduction32%
Retirement Savings8%
Education Funding8%
Homeownership17%
Investing9%
Travel or Lifestyle11%
Healthcare Expenses9%
Financial Independence9%

Around 7% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 32% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 8% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 9% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 11% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 9% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Saving Challenges in Tunisia

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Tunisia. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income6%
High Expenses9%
Debt and Loans18%
Lack of Budgeting Skills10%
Impulsive Spending9%
Financial Emergencies6%
Living the moment7%
Will do it later17%
Inflation11%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability3%

Around 6% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 18% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 10% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 9% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 7% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 17% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 11% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or societal expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for people in Tunisia

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds11%
Gold10%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts11%
Cash Savings16%
Real Estate10%
Investment6%
Stocks6%
Bonds6%
Mutual Funds3%
Certificates of Deposit3%

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Tunisia

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Tunisia and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in Tunisia is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.


The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:
AgeAmount
255x monthly salary at age 25
3010x monthly salary at age 30
3515x monthly salary at age 35
4025x monthly salary at age 40
4532x monthly salary at age 45
5048x monthly salary at age 50
5556x monthly salary at age 55
6064x monthly salary at age 60
6578x monthly salary at age 65

The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Tunisia:
AgeAmount
2510,000 TND
3020,000 TND
3536,000 TND
4051,000 TND
4577,000 TND
50110,000 TND
55130,000 TND
60160,000 TND
65190,000 TND

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents of Tunisia about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Source% People
Pensions13%
Savings22%
Investments13%
Social Security8%
Annuities8%
Part-time Job10%
Real Estate17%
Dividends and Interest8%

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Tunisia

640 TND
$200
1,900 TND
$610
13,000 TND
$4,100
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Tunisia


Percentage of people who are in debt


In Debt
24%
Debt Free
76%

According to the survey, 24% of the people in Tunisia have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 76% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Debt-to-income ratio in Tunisia

Debt to income ratio

28%

19% to 38%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 28% of the people's monthly income in Tunisia goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%11%
40% - 50%11%
30% - 40%13%
20% - 30%15%
10% - 20%19%
0% - 10%28%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Tunisia pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 11% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 11% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 13% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 15% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Tunisia

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage13%
Auto Loan23%
Student Loan3%
Credit Card25%
Personal Loan36%

13% of debtors in Tunisia confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 25% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 23% of people and personal loans rose at 36%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Tunisia.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in Tunisia

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Tunisia how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never55%
Once a year22%
Twice a year11%
Three times a year8%
Four times a year4%

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Tunisia

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Tunisia

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment
330 TND 490 TND 1,300 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100 $160 $420
1-bedroom apartment
490 TND 790 TND 2,000 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$160 $250 $630
2-bedroom apartment
650 TND 980 TND 2,600 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$210 $310 $840
3-bedroom apartment
790 TND 1,300 TND 3,600 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$250 $420 $1,100
Furnished apartment
1,600 TND 3,900 TND 7,900 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$500 $1,300 $2,500
Townhouse
1,300 TND 2,000 TND 5,600 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$420 $630 $1,800
House
1,600 TND 3,900 TND 7,900 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$500 $1,300 $2,500
Villa
2,000 TND 4,900 TND 7,900 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$630 $1,600 $2,500

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Tunisia ranges between 330 TND and 1,300 TND, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 490 TND to 2,000 TND. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 650 TND and 2,600 TND per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 790 TND to 3,600 TND. The average rent of a townhouse in Tunisia is around 2,000 TND while house rental costs can be as high as 3,900 TND per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 2,000 TND to 7,900 TND per month.



Apartment and house prices in Tunisia

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment
65,000 TND 98,000 TND 200,000 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$21,000 $31,000 $63,000
1-bedroom apartment
79,000 TND 130,000 TND 490,000 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$25,000 $42,000 $160,000
2-bedroom apartment
130,000 TND 390,000 TND 790,000 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$42,000 $130,000 $250,000
3-bedroom apartment
440,000 TND 650,000 TND 2M TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140,000 $210,000 $630,000
Townhouse
560,000 TND 1.3M TND 4.9M TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$180,000 $420,000 $1.6M
House
650,000 TND 3.9M TND 5.6M TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$210,000 $1.3M $1.8M
Villa
790,000 TND 4.4M TND 6.5M TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$250,000 $1.4M $2.1M

The average price of a studio apartment in Tunisia can range from 65,000 TND to 200,000 TND depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 79,000 TND to 490,000 TND. A villa can cost you 4.4M TND on average with prices ranging from 790,000 TND to 6.5M TND.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Tunisia 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


41 x119 monthly income 211
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Tunisia can be x119 to x211 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x119 multiples of the average monthly salary in Tunisia.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


22% 32% of income 42%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Tunisia is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 22% to 42% 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
30%

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.


FROM
2.2%
AVERAGE
3.2%
TO
4.2%

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.


5.8 TND 76 TND 760 TND
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

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.


Single
Spending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Tunisia

Housing33%

33% of total expenses on average (21% to 45%)

LOW$100   310 TND
AVERAGE$300   940 TND
HIGH$2,000   6,300 TND
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water7%

7% of total expenses on average (3% to 12%)

LOW$17   52 TND
AVERAGE$50   160 TND
HIGH$340   1,000 TND
Per Month

Transport, Fuel6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)

LOW$22   70 TND
AVERAGE$67   210 TND
HIGH$450   1,400 TND
Per Month

Food and Groceries18%

18% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)

LOW$45   140 TND
AVERAGE$130   420 TND
HIGH$900   2,800 TND
Per Month

Healthcare11%

11% of total expenses on average (5% to 15%)

LOW$25   79 TND
AVERAGE$76   240 TND
HIGH$500   1,600 TND
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping4%

4% of total expenses on average (3% to 7%)

LOW$14   44 TND
AVERAGE$42   130 TND
HIGH$280   870 TND
Per Month

Education2%

2% of total expenses on average (1% to 4%)

LOW$5.6   17 TND
AVERAGE$17   52 TND
HIGH$110   350 TND
Per Month

Other Expenses20%

20% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)

LOW$50   160 TND
AVERAGE$150   470 TND
HIGH$1,000   3,100 TND
Per Month


Couple
Average monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Tunisia

Housing30%

30% of total expenses on average (23% to 40%)

LOW$150   480 TND
AVERAGE$460   1,400 TND
HIGH$2,500   7,700 TND
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)

LOW$23   73 TND
AVERAGE$70   220 TND
HIGH$370   1,200 TND
Per Month

Transport, Fuel10%

10% of total expenses on average (4% to 15%)

LOW$56   170 TND
AVERAGE$170   520 TND
HIGH$900   2,800 TND
Per Month

Food and Groceries16%

16% of total expenses on average (11% to 21%)

LOW$65   200 TND
AVERAGE$200   610 TND
HIGH$1,000   3,300 TND
Per Month

Healthcare13%

13% of total expenses on average (7% to 17%)

LOW$51   160 TND
AVERAGE$150   480 TND
HIGH$820   2,600 TND
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping5%

5% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)

LOW$28   87 TND
AVERAGE$84   260 TND
HIGH$450   1,400 TND
Per Month

Education2%

2% of total expenses on average (1% to 4%)

LOW$9.3   29 TND
AVERAGE$28   87 TND
HIGH$150   470 TND
Per Month

Other Expenses19%

19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)

LOW$79   250 TND
AVERAGE$240   740 TND
HIGH$1,300   4,000 TND
Per Month


Family
Average monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Tunisia

Housing29%

29% of total expenses on average (24% to 39%)

LOW$210   650 TND
AVERAGE$600   1,900 TND
HIGH$3,300   10,000 TND
Per Month

Transport, Fuel6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 8%)

LOW$52   160 TND
AVERAGE$150   470 TND
HIGH$820   2,600 TND
Per Month

Food and Groceries20%

20% of total expenses on average (13% to 26%)

LOW$120   370 TND
AVERAGE$340   1,000 TND
HIGH$1,800   5,800 TND
Per Month

Healthcare10%

10% of total expenses on average (6% to 15%)

LOW$52   160 TND
AVERAGE$150   470 TND
HIGH$820   2,600 TND
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)

LOW$33   100 TND
AVERAGE$93   290 TND
HIGH$510   1,600 TND
Per Month

Education14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 22%)

LOW$91   290 TND
AVERAGE$260   810 TND
HIGH$1,400   4,500 TND
Per Month

Other Expenses14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)

LOW$78   240 TND
AVERAGE$220   700 TND
HIGH$1,200   3,800 TND
Per Month


Student
Cost of living and expenses break down for students living in Tunisia

Housing21%

21% of total expenses on average (16% to 27%)

LOW$54   170 TND
AVERAGE$140   420 TND
HIGH$240   760 TND
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)

LOW$9.1   28 TND
AVERAGE$23   71 TND
HIGH$41   130 TND
Per Month

Transport, Fuel5%

5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)

LOW$16   49 TND
AVERAGE$40   120 TND
HIGH$71   220 TND
Per Month

Food and Groceries22%

22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)

LOW$45   140 TND
AVERAGE$110   350 TND
HIGH$200   640 TND
Per Month

Healthcare8%

8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)

LOW$14   42 TND
AVERAGE$34   110 TND
HIGH$61   190 TND
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)

LOW$11   35 TND
AVERAGE$28   88 TND
HIGH$51   160 TND
Per Month

Education19%

19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)

LOW$43   130 TND
AVERAGE$110   340 TND
HIGH$190   600 TND
Per Month

Other Expenses17%

17% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)

LOW$34   110 TND
AVERAGE$85   270 TND
HIGH$150   480 TND
Per Month
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