Key Cost of Living Data
| Category | Index | Est. USD | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living | 38.0 | 62% cheaper than NYC | Cheap |
| Rent (1-bed city) | 13.0 | $415/mo/mo est. | Cheap |
| Groceries | 39.0 | $165/mo/mo est. | Cheap |
| Restaurants | 22.0 | $4/meal est. | Cheap |
| Local Purch. Power | 7.72 | ×2.63 expat stretch | |
| GNI per Capita | $3.4k | World Bank PPP | |
| Inflation Rate | 11.56% | Annual 2026 |
Housing & Rent
Rent in Gambia is well below the NYC baseline (Rent Index 13.0). A 1-bedroom apartment in a major city centre costs around $415/month, dropping to $275/month outside the centre. Three-bedroom apartments typically run $715+/month centrally.
| Type | USD / month | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed, city centre | $415/mo | Capital city avg. |
| 1-bed, suburbs | $275/mo | Outside centre |
| 3-bed, city centre | $715/mo | Family / shared |
| Utilities (85m²) | $55/mo | Electricity, gas, water |
Food & Dining
Food in Gambia is budget-friendly. An inexpensive restaurant meal costs around $4/person; a mid-range dinner for two runs $36. Monthly grocery spending for one person averages $165.
| Item | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | $4 | Per person |
| Meal for 2, mid-range | $18 | 3-course |
| Monthly groceries (single) | $165/mo | Estimated |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $0.95 | Local brand |
| Coffee / espresso | $1.33 | Local café |
Transport
A monthly public transport pass in Gambia costs roughly $50. Taxis and ride-hailing are very cheap, making day-to-day mobility a minor budget item.
| Type | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass | $38/mo | Public transport |
| Taxi per km | $0.76/km | Avg. rate |
| Petrol (1L) | $0.61/L | Regular fuel |
| Internet speed | 1.0 Mbps | Slow |
Healthcare & Quality of Life
Key Insight
Gambia's CoL Index of 38.0 paired with a Local Purchasing Power Index of 7.7 signals limited purchasing power for local earners. Expats on foreign incomes benefit significantly here. Current inflation is elevated at 11.6%, which may affect budgets over time.
Our Verdict for Gambia
Gambia is one of the most affordable destinations globally, with a CoL Index of 38.0 — less than half of New York City. Expats on Western incomes enjoy exceptional purchasing power here.
Best for
- Digital nomads & remote workers on foreign income
- Budget-conscious expats maximising lifestyle quality
May not suit
- Fixed-income expats (inflation 11.6% may erode savings)
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