Cost of Living: Somalia vs Canada

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Somalia and Canada.

Data updated: September 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Somalia is 88.3% cheaper than Canada. The biggest difference is in Property Prices, where costs are 152.9% higher. This means that for every $100 you spend in Canada, you would spend about $12 in Somalia for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Childcare 95.2%

Somalia is 95.2% cheaper

Other Expenses 91.8%

Somalia is 91.8% cheaper

Salaries And Financing 88.3%

Somalia is 88.3% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 88.3%

Somalia is 88.3% cheaper than Canada

Most Expensive Categories

  • Property Prices +152.9%

Is Somalia cheaper than Canada?

Yes, Somalia is cheaper than Canada

Overall, living costs in Somalia are 88.3% lower than in Canada.

Where Somalia is cheaper:

  • Childcare 95.2% cheaper
  • Other Expenses 91.8% cheaper
  • Salaries And Financing 88.3% cheaper

Where Somalia is more expensive:

  • Property Prices 152.9% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Somalia: 3.00 $ Canada: 18.20 $
83.5% cheaper in Somalia

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Somalia: 137.75 $ Canada: 1,339.05 $
89.7% cheaper in Somalia

Monthly public transport pass

Somalia: 25.00 $ Canada: 76.38 $
67.3% cheaper in Somalia

1 liter of milk

Somalia: 1.42 $ Canada: 2.24 $
36.6% cheaper in Somalia

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Somalia is indeed cheaper than Canada. You would save approximately 88.3% on living expenses by choosing Somalia over Canada. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

88.3%

Somalia is 88.3% cheaper than Canada

Restaurants

69.7%

Somalia is 69.7% cheaper than Canada in this category

Markets

60.4%

Somalia is 60.4% cheaper than Canada in this category

Other Expenses

91.8%

Somalia is 91.8% cheaper than Canada in this category

Transportation

68.5%

Somalia is 68.5% cheaper than Canada in this category

Household Utilities

33.7%

Somalia is 33.7% cheaper than Canada in this category

Mobile and Internet

63.8%

Somalia is 63.8% cheaper than Canada in this category

Sports And Leisure

43.3%

Somalia is 43.3% cheaper than Canada in this category

Childcare

95.2%

Somalia is 95.2% cheaper than Canada in this category

Clothing And Shoes

71.5%

Somalia is 71.5% cheaper than Canada in this category

Rent Per Month

88.2%

Somalia is 88.2% cheaper than Canada in this category

Property Prices

152.9%

Somalia is 152.9% more expensive than Canada in this category

Salaries And Financing

88.3%

Somalia is 88.3% cheaper than Canada in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Somalia Canada Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 3.00 $ 18.20 $ 83.5%
Somalia is 83.5% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 15.00 $ 72.81 $ 79.4%
Somalia is 79.4% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 5.00 $ 10.92 $ 54.2%
Somalia is 54.2% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 1.35 $ 3.77 $ 64.2%
Somalia is 64.2% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 0.75 $ 2.10 $ 64.3%
Somalia is 64.3% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 0.34 $ 1.70 $ 80.0%
Somalia is 80.0% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.68 $ 1.81 $ 62.4%
Somalia is 62.4% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml) 1.09 $ 3.47 $ 68.6%
Somalia is 68.6% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 3.70 $ 4.55 $ 18.7%
Somalia is 18.7% cheaper
Mid-Range Wine 9.38 $ 11.71 $ 19.9%
Somalia is 19.9% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 1.19 $ 6.07 $ 80.4%
Somalia is 80.4% cheaper
Milk (1L) 1.42 $ 2.24 $ 36.6%
Somalia is 36.6% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 1.12 $ 2.70 $ 58.5%
Somalia is 58.5% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 1.07 $ 3.66 $ 70.8%
Somalia is 70.8% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 2.25 $ 3.51 $ 35.9%
Somalia is 35.9% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 5.00 $ 11.48 $ 56.4%
Somalia is 56.4% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 4.50 $ 12.22 $ 63.2%
Somalia is 63.2% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 6.74 $ 14.97 $ 55.0%
Somalia is 55.0% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 2.92 $ 4.20 $ 30.5%
Somalia is 30.5% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 1.61 $ 1.44 $ 11.8%
Somalia is 11.8% more expensive
Oranges (1kg) 2.71 $ 3.85 $ 29.6%
Somalia is 29.6% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 1.18 $ 4.14 $ 71.5%
Somalia is 71.5% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 1.15 $ 2.67 $ 56.9%
Somalia is 56.9% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 1.28 $ 2.66 $ 51.9%
Somalia is 51.9% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 0.97 $ 2.55 $ 62.0%
Somalia is 62.0% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 25.00 $ 76.38 $ 67.3%
Somalia is 67.3% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 1.20 $ 14.56 $ 91.8%
Somalia is 91.8% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 0.30 $ 2.55 $ 88.2%
Somalia is 88.2% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 1.50 $ 3.42 $ 56.1%
Somalia is 56.1% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 0.60 $ 1.59 $ 62.3%
Somalia is 62.3% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 4.50 $ 28.35 $ 84.1%
Somalia is 84.1% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 1.03 $ 1.17 $ 12.0%
Somalia is 12.0% cheaper
New Economy Car 5,750.00 $ 24,739.68 $ 76.8%
Somalia is 76.8% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 8,500.00 $ 20,433.99 $ 58.4%
Somalia is 58.4% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 100.00 $ 150.84 $ 33.7%
Somalia is 33.7% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 7.00 $ 45.41 $ 84.6%
Somalia is 84.6% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 31.89 $ 61.96 $ 48.5%
Somalia is 48.5% cheaper
Gym Membership 26.25 $ 42.65 $ 38.5%
Somalia is 38.5% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 9.25 $ 17.42 $ 46.9%
Somalia is 46.9% cheaper
Movie Ticket 5.00 $ 11.36 $ 56.0%
Somalia is 56.0% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 34.38 $ 802.92 $ 95.7%
Somalia is 95.7% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 581.67 $ 11,932.95 $ 95.1%
Somalia is 95.1% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 14.75 $ 55.66 $ 73.5%
Somalia is 73.5% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 19.67 $ 41.19 $ 52.2%
Somalia is 52.2% cheaper
1 Pair of Running Shoes 20.43 $ 88.39 $ 76.9%
Somalia is 76.9% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 28.38 $ 107.04 $ 73.5%
Somalia is 73.5% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 137.75 $ 1,339.05 $ 89.7%
Somalia is 89.7% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 74.74 $ 1,186.00 $ 93.7%
Somalia is 93.7% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 364.36 $ 2,143.71 $ 83.0%
Somalia is 83.0% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 190.00 $ 1,856.86 $ 89.8%
Somalia is 89.8% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 8,636.21 $ 6,761.35 $ 27.7%
Somalia is 27.7% more expensive
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 20,436.74 $ 4,732.37 $ 331.9%
Somalia is 331.9% more expensive
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 326.36 $ 2,865.96 $ 88.6%
Somalia is 88.6% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 9.43 6.35 48.5%
Somalia is 48.5% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Canada. Enter your monthly expenses in Somalia to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Somalia and Canada goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Somalia vs Canada

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Somalia

Canada

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.
  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in Somalia Cost of living in Canada

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