Cost of Living in Dakar, Senegal
Dakar is a city in Senegal, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,351 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,003 per month, or $453 outside the centre. Internet is slow at around 22 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Dakar scores 55/100 — moderately safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 90°F and winter highs around 82°F, with roughly 293 sunny days a year.
Dakar Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Dakar
How Dakar Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Dakar is cheaper than 59% of them, but sits in the bottom 3% for food scene.
| Metric | Dakar | World rank | Rank in Africa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $1,351 | #137 of 340 | #18 of 20 |
| Safety | 55/100 | #213 of 340 | #13 of 20 |
| Healthcare | 32/100 | #326 of 340 | #17 of 20 |
| Internet speed | 22 Mbps | #328 of 340 | #15 of 20 |
| Walkability | 45/100 | #228 of 340 | #7 of 20 |
| Public transit | 25/100 | #224 of 340 | #7 of 20 |
| Food scene | 50/100 | #331 of 340 | #19 of 20 |
| Air quality | 65/100 | #290 of 340 | #14 of 20 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Dakar
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Dakar.
- Accra, Ghana — $940/mo, 30% cheaper, safety 62/100
- Casablanca, Morocco — $935/mo, 31% cheaper, safety 56/100
- Zanzibar, Tanzania — $889/mo, 34% cheaper, safety 62/100
- Tangier, Morocco — $930/mo, 31% cheaper, safety 62/100
Dakar FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Dakar?
A single person should budget around $1,351 per month in Dakar, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $3,160 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in Dakar?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Dakar averages $1,003 per month, dropping to about $453 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $2,216.
Is Dakar safe?
Dakar scores 55/100 on safety, which is moderately safe. Tourist safety is rated 55/100.
How fast is the internet in Dakar?
Median download speeds in Dakar are around 22 Mbps — slow for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 15 coworking spaces in the city.
Does Senegal offer a digital nomad visa?
Senegal does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders can usually stay 90 days visa-free.
What is the weather like in Dakar?
Dakar sees summer highs around 90°F and winter highs near 82°F, with about 293 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 31 days.
Visa Requirements for Senegal
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