Dakar, Senegal

Cost of Living in Dakar, Senegal

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Dakar costs approximately $1,351 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $1,003. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

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 290 sunny days a year.

Family friendly
Monthly Cost$1,351≈ $45/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$1,003
Internet22 Mbps
Safety55/100
Avg Temp86°F

Dakar Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$5.39
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$55.66
McDonald's Combo Meal$11.67
Cappuccino$4.50
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$2.69
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.92

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$2.67
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$0.77
Eggs (12)$2.42
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$4.30
Apples (1 lb)$1.47
Bananas (1 lb)$0.86
Tomatoes (1 lb)$0.91
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.65
Water (1.5L Bottle)$0.82
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$15.26
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$1.80

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$0.36
Monthly Transit Pass$80.80
Taxi Start$2.24
Taxi (1 Mile)$4.33
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.78
VW Golf (New)$37,258.49

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$213.58
Mobile Phone Plan$12.25
Broadband Internet$48.77

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$50.88
Cinema Ticket$8.98
Preschool (Monthly)$273.83
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$11,453.94

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$52.52
Nike Running Shoes$89.78

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$1,002.54
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$452.79
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$2,215.76
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$1,055.55
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$431.72
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$138.79

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$408.12
Mortgage Interest Rate8.25%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$3,159.90
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$898.50

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Dakar

Internet22 Mbps
Safety55/100
Healthcare32/100
Public Transit25/100
Walkability45/100
Nightlife45/100
Food Scene50/100
Fine Dining0/100
Coffee Culture15/100
Air Quality65/100
Green Spaces25/100
Culture60/100
Beaches55/100
Hiking15/100
Surfing50/100
Coworking Spaces15
US Visa-Free90 days

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.

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 290 sunny days and 50 rainy days per year.

Visa Requirements for Senegal

Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for Senegal and how to apply.