Cost of Living in Senegal
Realistic monthly budgets, common expenses and cost planning for living in Senegal.
Main expense
Depends on city and area
Local vs imported
Imported goods cost more
Flexible
Taxi and ride apps common
Variable
Electricity and internet vary
At a Glance — Key Numbers for 2026
Essential budget and living costs for international residents in Dakar.
Solo Monthly Budget
Comfortable900 – 1,400 EUR
Solo Monthly Budget
Budget600 – 900 EUR
Family Monthly Budget
2,200 – 3,500 EUR
1-Bedroom Apartment
Almadies500 – 650 EUR/month
1-Bedroom Apartment
Liberté / Sicap300 – 480 EUR/month
Meal at Local Restaurant
2 – 6 EUR
Meal at International resident Restaurant
15 – 35 EUR
Local SIM + 20GB Data
Approx. 5 EUR/month
Currency Information
Rental Prices by Neighborhood
Dakar is a city of very different neighborhoods — and the price difference between them is enormous.
| Neighborhood | 1-Bedroom | 2–3 Bedroom | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almadies / Ngor | 500 – 650 EUR | 900 – 1,800 EUR | Families, professionals |
| Plateau (city centre) | 450 – 700 EUR | 800 – 1,500 EUR | Business, diplomats |
| Mermoz / Sacré-Coeur | 380 – 550 EUR | 700 – 1,200 EUR | Families, long-term |
| Fann / Point E | 350 – 500 EUR | 650 – 1,100 EUR | Professionals, NGO |
| Liberté / Sicap | 300 – 480 EUR | 550 – 900 EUR | Solo, students |
| Yoff / Ouakam | 250 – 400 EUR | 450 – 750 EUR | Long-term, budget |
| Grand Dakar / Medina | 150 – 280 EUR | 300 – 500 EUR | Budget, students |
Practical Note on Renting
Most landlords in Dakar require 3 to 6 months of rent upfront as a deposit. This is standard practice — not a scam. Budget for it before arrival. Negotiating a lower upfront payment is possible but rare. Always get a signed lease in French before paying anything.
Housing — Your Biggest Cost
Electricity
40 – 90 EUR/month depending on usage and AC
Water
10 – 25 EUR/month
Internet
30 – 60 EUR/month for 30–100 Mbps
Mobile SIM + Data
Approx. 5 EUR/month — Orange or Free Senegal
Domestic worker (if needed)
80 – 200 EUR/month — very common in international resident households
Neighborhood map
Explore Dakar neighborhoods
Compare the areas most relevant to international residents, families, students, and professionals moving to Dakar.
Explore Dakar neighborhoods
Compare the areas most relevant to international residents, families, students, and professionals moving to Dakar.
Eating Out
Dakar has two completely different dining scenes. The local scene is excellent value — a plate of thiéboudienne (the national dish) at a neighborhood restaurant costs 1,500 – 3,000 XOF (2 – 5 EUR). The international restaurant scene around Almadies and the Plateau is comparable to European prices.
| What | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Thiéboudienne at a Local Restaurant | 2 – 5 EUR |
| Full Meal at a Mid-Range Restaurant | 10 – 20 EUR |
| Dinner at an International resident / International Restaurant | 20 – 45 EUR |
| Coffee at a Local Café | 0.50 – 1.50 EUR |
| Coffee at an International Café | 2 – 4 EUR |
| Beer (Local Gazelle) | 1.50 – 3 EUR |
| Imported Wine (Restaurant) | 25 – 60 EUR / Bottle |
| Street Food Snack (Sandwich, Pastry) | 0.30 – 1.50 EUR |
Food & Groceries in Dakar
Monthly grocery costs depend heavily on where you shop and what you buy. Importing European products is expensive. Local produce — fruit, vegetables, fish, rice — is excellent and very affordable.
Local Markets
Marché Sandaga, HLM and neighborhood markets.
150 – 250 EUR/month
For a coupleSupermarkets
Casino, Auchan and Carrefour Market.
250 – 400 EUR/month
Imported goods available but expensiveImported European Goods
Cheese, wine, cold cuts and specialty imports.
+30 – 80 EUR/month
Additional budget if important to youPublic Bus
DDD — Dakar Dem Dikk
Very affordable option, though buses can be crowded during peak hours.
Local Taxi
Short city rides
Always negotiate the fare before getting in.
Ride Apps
InDriver & Yango
Fixed pricing and no negotiation required. Preferred by many international residents.
Monthly Taxi Budget
Typical monthly transport cost for regular taxi users.
Car Rental
Long-term monthly rental
Cost depends on vehicle type, age, and rental provider.
Own Vehicle
Purchase price for a second-hand vehicle.
Registration & insurance: 200 – 500 EUR/yearInternational Schools
Education costs can exceed housing costs for some families. Include tuition, registration fees, transport, uniforms, and extracurricular activities when preparing your relocation budget.
| School | Curriculum | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| International School of Dakar (ISD) | American Curriculum | 8,000 – 15,000 EUR/year |
| Lycée Français Blaise Diagne | French National Curriculum | 3,000 – 7,000 EUR/year |
| Dakar Academy | Christian International School | 5,000 – 10,000 EUR/year |
500 – 2,000 EUR one-time (separate from annual tuition fees).
Childcare & Nurseries
Private Nursery / Crèche
Monthly childcare costBabysitter / Nanny
Full-time live-in supportPlanning Tip
Education costs can exceed housing costs for some families. Include tuition, registration fees, transport, uniforms, and extracurricular activities when preparing your relocation budget.
Healthcare Costs
Typical medical expenses for international residents
80 – 250 EUR/month
Depending on coverage and age20 – 60 EUR
Private clinic visit40 – 120 EUR
Specialist doctor appointmentWell Stocked
Most European medications available| Category | Solo Budget | Solo Comfortable | Family (4 People) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Housing | 300 – 480 | 480 – 650 | 700 – 1,200 |
| ⚡ Utilities | 50 – 80 | 80 – 130 | 120 – 200 |
| 🛒 Groceries | 150 – 220 | 220 – 350 | 400 – 600 |
| 🍽️ Eating Out | 80 – 150 | 150 – 300 | 200 – 400 |
| 🚕 Transport | 60 – 100 | 100 – 200 | 150 – 350 |
| 🏥 Healthcare / Insurance | 50 – 80 | 80 – 150 | 200 – 450 |
| 🎓 Education (Children) | — | — | 500 – 1,200 |
| 🎉 Leisure & Social | 50 – 100 | 100 – 200 | 150 – 300 |
| 📦 Misc / Buffer | 60 – 100 | 100 – 200 | 150 – 300 |
| 💰 TOTAL ESTIMATE | 800 – 1,200 EUR | 1,300 – 2,200 EUR | 2,200 – 4,000 EUR |
Important Note on These Figures
These estimates are based on data from March–May 2026 and real spending patterns reported by international residents in Dakar. They do not include one-time arrival costs such as housing deposits, furniture purchases, administrative fees, or international school registration fees. Actual costs will vary depending on your lifestyle, neighbourhood, family size, and negotiating skills.
Currency
Senegal uses the West African CFA Franc (XOF). The exchange rate is fixed to the Euro: 1 EUR = 655.96 XOF. This means there is no exchange rate volatility for European residents — a significant advantage when budgeting and planning expenses.
Payments
- Cash is still widely used for daily transactions, markets, taxis, and small shops
- Mobile money (Wave, Orange Money) is transforming payments — widely accepted and very convenient
- Bank cards accepted at supermarkets, larger restaurants, hotels, and international businesses
- ATMs available in Dakar but can have reliability issues — always carry some cash
| Tip | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Shop local markets | Shop at local markets instead of supermarkets — quality is often better and prices 40–60% lower for fresh produce. |
| Use Wave and InDriver | Use Wave and InDriver — avoid overpriced taxis by using apps with fixed prices. |
| Negotiate rent in XOF | Negotiate your rent in XOF, not EUR — landlords sometimes add an informal exchange rate margin. |
| Build local relationships | Build local relationships — knowing the right people opens access to better apartments, better prices, and better services. |
| Arrive in dry season | Arrive in the dry season (November to May) if possible — you have more time to find housing without the pressure of rain season. |
| Set up Wave immediately | Set up Wave immediately on arrival — it simplifies daily payments enormously. |
Budget for the Unexpected
Power cuts, plumbing issues, and car breakdowns are more frequent than in Europe. Maintaining a monthly buffer of 200 – 400 EUR is strongly recommended.
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Related Guides
Neighborhood guide with interactive map, how to rent, verified agencies directory and budget guide for International residents in Dakar, Senegal.
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