Capital city, Timor-Leste
Cost of living in Dili
How much a month costs in Dili
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,500–2,500 ($1,500–2,500).
Prices in Dili
Typical 2026 ranges in USD, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | USD | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | $500–1,200 | $500–1,200 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | $300–700 | $300–700 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | $12–25 | $12–25 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | $60–120 | $60–120 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | $3–6 | $3–6 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | $10–20 | $10–20 |
| Cappuccino | $2–4 | $2–4 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | $2–4 | $2–4 |
| Getting around | ||
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | $3–8 | $3–8 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | $20–50 | $20–50 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | $5–15 | $5–15 |
Value for money: 24/100
A value score of 24/100 means Dili gives more quality of life per dollar than 23% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 50/100.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Timor-Leste
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Atauro | $1,200–2,000 | 59/100 |
| Dili | $1,500–2,500 | 24/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Dili
Similar safety, lower cost, in Southeast Asia.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Hue | Vietnam | $578–963 |
| Phong Nha | Vietnam | $539–848 |
| Sukhothai | Thailand | $656–1,040 |
| Ninh Binh | Vietnam | $539–925 |
| Mount Bromo | Indonesia | $503–783 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Dili?
About $700–1,000 on a lean budget, $1,500–2,500 for a comfortable month and $3,500–6,000 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Dili?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs $500–1,200 ($500–1,200) a month in the center and $300–700 ($300–700) outside it.
How much does food cost in Dili?
A local meal is $3–6 ($3–6); a mid-range restaurant is $10–20 ($10–20) per person.
Is Timor-Leste expensive?
Prices in Timor-Leste are about 28% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Dili
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Sources
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.