Capital city, Senegal
Cost of living in Dakar
How much a month costs in Dakar
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,540–2,570 (CFA900,000–1.5M).
Prices in Dakar
Typical 2026 ranges in XOF, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | XOF | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | CFA350,000–700,000 | $600–1,200 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | CFA180,000–350,000 | $309–600 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | CFA8,000–18,000 | $14–31 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | CFA35,000–85,000 | $60–146 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | CFA1,500–3,500 | $2.6–6.0 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | CFA8,000–18,000 | $14–31 |
| Cappuccino | CFA1,500–3,500 | $2.6–6.0 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | CFA2,000–3,500 | $3.4–6.0 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | CFA150–500 | $0.26–0.86 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | CFA1,500–3,500 | $2.6–6.0 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | CFA20,000–50,000 | $34–86 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | CFA5,000–12,000 | $9–21 |
Value for money: 11/100
A value score of 11/100 means Dakar gives more quality of life per dollar than 10% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 41/100. It's the 3rd most affordable of 3 places we cover in Senegal.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Senegal
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Saint-Louis | $1,030–1,630 | 44/100 |
| Saly | $1,290–2,060 | 25/100 |
| Dakar | $1,540–2,570 | 11/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Dakar
Similar safety, lower cost, in Africa.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Aswan | Egypt | $478–803 |
| Dahab | Egypt | $536–861 |
| Djerba | Tunisia | $674–1,080 |
| Sousse | Tunisia | $674–1,080 |
| Addis Ababa | Ethiopia | $553–921 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Dakar?
About $772–1,200 on a lean budget, $1,540–2,570 for a comfortable month and $3,770–6,520 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Dakar?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs CFA350,000–700,000 ($600–1,200) a month in the center and CFA180,000–350,000 ($309–600) outside it.
How much does food cost in Dakar?
A local meal is CFA1,500–3,500 ($2.6–6.0); a mid-range restaurant is CFA8,000–18,000 ($14–31) per person.
Is Senegal expensive?
Prices in Senegal are about 36% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Dakar
Going to Dakar solo?
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Dakar BRT / TER (CETUD)
- Blaise Diagne International Airport
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.