How much does it cost to live in Tunisia each month? The answer depends on where you live, your housing choice, family size and lifestyle. Tunis is generally more expensive than many smaller Tunisian cities, while popular coastal and expatriate areas can also have higher housing costs.
Tunisia can be relatively affordable compared with many Western European countries, particularly for locally produced food, public transportation, cafés and everyday services. However, imported products, private education, premium housing and international services can substantially increase a monthly budget.
All prices on this page are approximate estimates rather than fixed national prices. Costs can change with inflation, exchange rates, location, season, housing quality and personal spending habits. Use the figures as a budgeting guide and check current local prices before moving.
Current 2026 estimates vary considerably depending on the methodology used. For Tunis, Expatistan currently estimates approximately 2,850 TND per month for one person and approximately 6,369 TND for a family of four. Expatistan also warns that its Tunis estimates are based on a limited number of data points and should therefore be treated as a best estimate rather than an official household budget.
Other 2026 cost-of-living data also shows substantial differences between Tunisian cities. Wise currently estimates Tunis as more expensive than cities such as Sfax and Ariana in its city comparisoon.
| Expense | Typical Monthly Budget |
|---|---|
| Rent – 1 bedroom apartment | Approx. 500 – 1,500+ TND |
| Groceries – 1 person | Approx. 400 – 800 TND |
| Utilities | Approx. 100 – 300+ TND |
| Internet & mobile | Approx. 50 – 150 TND |
| Public transportation | Approx. 30 – 100 TND |
| Dining & cafés | Approx. 150 – 500+ TND |
| Entertainment & leisure | Approx. 100 – 400+ TND |
These ranges are intended for planning and can be considerably higher for people choosing premium accommodation, imported goods, private healthcare, international schools or frequent restaurant and leisure spending.
Housing is usually one of the largest components of a monthly budget. Rental prices vary significantly according to the city, neighborhood, furnishing, apartment size and proximity to the coast or business districts.
| Apartment Type | Approximate Monthly Rent |
|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom – Smaller City | 400 – 800 TND |
| 1 Bedroom – Outside Central Tunis | 450 – 900 TND |
| 1 Bedroom – Central Tunis | 600 – 1,200+ TND |
| 1 Bedroom – Premium Coastal Area | 800 – 1,500+ TND |
| 3 Bedroom – Outside Centre | 800 – 1,500+ TND |
| 3 Bedroom – Central / Premium Area | 1,200 – 2,500+ TND |
For example, current 2026 data for Tunis gives an average one-bedroom city-centre rent of about £232 and an outside-centre average of about £153, while three-bedroom apartments average approximately £365 in the centre and £238 outside the centre. Currency conversions change over time, so these figures are best interpreted as evidence of the relative rental difference rather than fixed TND prices.
Popular areas such as La Marsa, Carthage, Gammarth and Les Berges du Lac can command higher rents than less expensive neighborhoods.
👉 See our detailed Rent Prices in Tunisia guide.
Food costs in Tunisia depend heavily on whether you buy locally produced products or imported goods. Shopping at local markets and supermarkets and choosing seasonal products can help reduce expenses.
For a current snapshot, Expatistan's July 2026 Tunis data lists a basic business-district lunch at around 22 TND, a fast-food combo at around 16 TND, 1 litre of milk at around 1.92 TND, and 1 kg of tomatoes at around 2.69 TND.
Eating out can be relatively affordable when choosing local cafés and restaurants. Costs increase considerably at international restaurants, tourist destinations and upscale establishments.
| Type | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Local snack / sandwich | 5 – 12 TND |
| Casual local meal | 10 – 25 TND |
| Mid-range restaurant | 25 – 60+ TND |
| Upscale restaurant | 60 – 120+ TND |
| Coffee / café | 2 – 8+ TND |
Actual prices vary significantly between neighborhoods and tourist areas.
Transportation is generally one of the less expensive parts of a Tunisian household budget, especially for people who rely on buses, trains, metro services and shared taxis.
Wise's current 2026 Tunis data estimates a monthly public transport pass at around £13, although actual fares and passes vary according to the network and ticket type.
People who own a car should budget separately for fuel, insurance, maintenance, tires, parking and unexpected repairs.
A household that uses taxis and public transportation can have a very different monthly transportation budget from a household that drives every day.
Utility costs depend on the size of the home, number of occupants, season and use of air conditioning or heating.
| Utility | Typical Monthly Budget |
|---|---|
| Electricity | 40 – 150+ TND |
| Water | 20 – 60+ TND |
| Gas | 20 – 100+ TND |
| Internet | 40 – 100+ TND |
| Mobile phone | 20 – 60+ TND |
Air conditioning can significantly increase electricity consumption during hot summer periods. Larger homes and families will generally have higher utility bills.
This is particularly relevant when budgeting for Tunisia's hot summers, when cooling demand can rise substantially.
Internet availability and speed can vary by location, so people working remotely should check the exact service available at an apartment before signing a long-term rental agreement.
Entertainment costs vary widely according to lifestyle. Someone who mainly uses beaches, public spaces, local cafés and inexpensive restaurants can spend far less than someone who regularly visits premium restaurants, clubs, international events and private leisure facilities.
Healthcare spending depends on whether you use public healthcare, private clinics, private doctors, insurance and the type of treatment required.
Foreign residents should consider healthcare and insurance costs separately from their basic grocery and housing budget, particularly if they prefer private healthcare.
Families need to budget for additional food, housing, transportation, healthcare, clothing, education and activities for children.
Public education and private or international education can produce very different household budgets. Families considering international schools should obtain current tuition and enrollment costs directly from the school.
Education costs depend heavily on the type of school. Public education is generally much less expensive for families than private or international schools.
Private education can become one of the largest additional expenses for an expatriate family, especially when tuition, transportation, meals, registration and extracurricular activities are included.
When evaluating whether a salary is sufficient, it is important to compare income with the actual cost of housing and other expenses in your particular city.
Tunisia's guaranteed minimum wage was increased for 2026. For non-agricultural workers aged 18 and above, the 2026 guaranteed minimum wage is 470.251 TND per month for a 40-hour workweek and 554.736 TND per month for a 48-hour workweek.
These statutory minimums should not be confused with the salary required for a comfortable lifestyle, particularly for households paying market-rate rent in more expensive areas.
Current cost-of-living estimates also show why housing has a major impact on household budgets. Expatistan estimates total monthly costs in Tunis at about 2,850 TND for a single person and 6,369 TND for a family of four, although the site explicitly warns that these are based on limited data.
| Lifestyle | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Budget lifestyle | 1,500 – 2,200 TND | 3,500 – 5,000 TND |
| Moderate lifestyle | 2,200 – 3,500 TND | 5,000 – 7,500 TND |
| Comfortable lifestyle | 3,500 – 5,000+ TND | 7,500 – 10,000+ TND |
| Premium / expat lifestyle | 5,000+ TND | 10,000+ TND |
These are planning ranges, not official national statistics. Housing choice can move a household from one category to another very quickly.
Tunisia does not have one uniform cost of living. Current 2026 estimates indicate meaningful differences between cities.
| City | Relative Cost | Typical Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Tunis | Higher | Capital, business, universities and international services |
| La Marsa | Higher | Coastal and popular with international residents |
| Sousse | Moderate | Coastal city and tourism center |
| Sfax | Lower to moderate | Business and industrial center |
| Ariana | Moderate | Greater Tunis residential area |
| Djerba | Variable | Island and tourism-oriented lifestyle |
| Hammamet | Variable | Popular coastal and tourism destination |
Wise's 2026 city data places Tunis at a higher estimated monthly cost than Sfax, Ariana and several other Tunisian cities, reinforcing the importance of choosing the right location when preparing a budget.
For many foreigners earning income in euros, dollars, pounds or other stronger currencies, Tunisia can offer relatively low everyday costs compared with Western Europe. However, affordability is not the same for everyone.
Local salaries are much lower than salaries in many European countries, and housing, imported products and private services can consume a substantial portion of a local household's income.
The best way to evaluate affordability is therefore to compare your expected income with the actual local costs in the city and neighborhood where you plan to live.
For a single person renting a modest apartment and following a moderate lifestyle, a planning budget of roughly 2,200 – 3,500 TND per month can be a useful starting point. A more comfortable lifestyle in a desirable area may require 3,500 – 5,000 TND or more.
Families need substantially more, especially when paying for larger housing, private education, childcare, private healthcare and a car.
For comparison, Expatistan's current July 2026 estimate for a family of four in Tunis is approximately 6,369 TND per month, but the source explicitly warns that its estimate is based on limited data.
A reasonable planning range for one person can be around 1,500 – 3,500 TND per month, depending heavily on rent and lifestyle. A more comfortable or premium lifestyle can require substantially more.
Current 2026 estimates vary. Expatistan currently estimates around 2,850 TND per month for one person and around 6,369 TND for a family of four, while warning that these figures are based on limited data.
Rent is relatively affordable compared with many major Western European cities, but prices vary significantly. Central Tunis, La Marsa, Carthage, Gammarth and other desirable coastal areas can be considerably more expensive than smaller cities or less central neighborhoods.
A single person might budget approximately 400–800 TND per month for groceries, depending on diet and shopping habits. Imported products and premium foods can increase the total significantly.
Public transportation is generally one of the more affordable parts of a Tunisian household budget. Tunis has buses, metro and suburban rail services, while louages provide an important intercity transportation option.
For many everyday local expenses, Tunisia is generally less expensive than Western Europe. However, the difference becomes smaller for imported goods, premium housing, international schools and some private services.
For non-agricultural workers aged 18 and above, the 2026 guaranteed minimum wage is 470.251 TND per month for a 40-hour week and 554.736 TND per month for a 48-hour week.
For a single person, 3,000 TND can be a workable budget in many circumstances, particularly if rent is moderate. In an expensive neighborhood or with a high-spending lifestyle, however, 3,000 TND may feel considerably tighter. For a family, the same amount would generally require a much more restrictive budget.
There is no single cheapest city for every person because housing and lifestyle choices vary. Current 2026 cost estimates generally show cities such as Sfax having lower overall estimated costs than Tunis, while coastal tourist areas can have higher housing prices.
An expat should calculate housing, food, transportation, utilities, healthcare, insurance, entertainment and any international services separately. A single person may find approximately 2,500–4,000 TND a useful starting range for a comfortable budget, while premium housing or an international lifestyle can push the budget substantially higher.