Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Cost of Living in Tunisia
The cost of living in Tunisia is a topic of growing interest for expatriates considering settling in this North African country. With its Mediterranean flavors and rich cultural heritage, Tunisia offers an attractive living environment, but it’s essential to understand how daily expenses such as housing, food, transportation, and other routine costs shape up.
In this article, we will explore various aspects of life in Tunisia that impact expatriates’ budgets, revealing both the attractive economic benefits and potential financial challenges they might encounter.
Assessing the Cost of Living in Tunisia: Concrete Examples and Comparisons
Cost of Living in Tunisia in 2025: International Comparison and Expatriate Testimonials
| Expense Category | Tunisia (2025) | France (2025) | Morocco (2025) | Spain (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (downtown rental, 1 bedroom/month) | €346 | €1,231 | €370 | €800 |
| Food (monthly groceries) | €110 | €250 | €120 | €180 |
| Transportation (gasoline, 1L) | €0.70 | €1.85 | €1.12 | €1.60 |
| Restaurant (meal for 2, mid-range) | €19 | €50 | €23 | €35 |
| Entertainment (cinema, 1 ticket) | €4.60 | €12 | €5.50 | €9 |
Concrete Examples of Expenses in Tunisia
- Housing: A one-bedroom apartment in downtown Tunis costs on average €346/month. Expatriates report finding studios in the suburbs starting from €200/month, with moderate utilities. In Djerba or Monastir, prices are even lower.
- Food: The food basket is particularly affordable: a bottle of milk costs €0.40, a loaf of bread €0.20, and a kilogram of rice €1.30. Local markets allow for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at very competitive prices.
- Transportation: Gasoline is €0.70/L, while an urban bus ticket costs about €0.20. Taxis are frequent and accessible: an average city ride costs €2-3.
- Entertainment: A cinema ticket is €4.60, an hour of tennis €11, and gym membership starts at €20/month.
Comparison with Other Popular Expatriate Destinations
- Tunisia vs France: The cost of living is on average 52% lower than in France. Rent is 70% cheaper, food 56% cheaper, and entertainment 48% cheaper.
- Tunisia vs Morocco: Prices are very close, but Tunisia remains slightly more affordable for housing and food.
- Tunisia vs Spain: In Spain, prices are generally twice as high as in Tunisia, particularly for housing and dining out.
Elements That Make Tunisia Attractive for Expatriates
- Highly competitive housing and food costs
- Accessible and affordable healthcare services
- Dynamic cultural life at reduced cost (cinema, sports, outings)
- Simplified procedures for expatriates (resident status)
Expatriate Testimonials in Tunisia
- “We’ve been living in Tunis for two years, and our monthly budget for a family of 4 doesn’t exceed €1,000. Rent, groceries, and entertainment are significantly cheaper than in Europe.”
- “With my French retirement, I can afford a spacious apartment in Sousse, enjoy restaurants, and travel around the country without restrictions.”
- “The cost of living is low, but you need to adapt to certain cultural and administrative differences. Local markets are a real treasure for product quality.”
Key Points That Make Tunisia Financially Attractive
- Affordable housing (some of the lowest rental prices in the Mediterranean basin)
- Very inexpensive local food products
- Accessible public and private transportation
- Reduced-price entertainment and cultural activities
- Competitive private healthcare and education services for expatriates
Elements to Consider
- The local average salary remains low (€281/month), which explains prices adapted to local purchasing power.
- Expatriates with foreign income find Tunisia particularly advantageous.
- Prices may vary by city (Tunis, Sousse, Djerba), but remain generally attractive.
Key takeaway:
⭐ Tunisia offers a very competitive cost of living for expatriates, particularly for housing, food, and entertainment, making it a sought-after destination for affordable relocation. ⭐
Good to know:
A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about 10 TND, while a monthly public transportation pass amounts to 60 TND, figures significantly lower than those observed in Europe; monthly rents in Tunis can go as low as 800 TND for a downtown apartment, making it particularly attractive for expatriates.
Required Budget for an Expatriate: What to Plan For
Housing
Housing is the main expense category for an expatriate in Tunisia, but it remains significantly more affordable than in Europe. Here is a comparative table of average monthly rents for a one-bedroom apartment in city centers:
| City | 1-bedroom apt. (downtown) | 1-bedroom apt. (suburbs) | Family house (3-bedroom, garden) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tunis | 800-1,200 TND (€250-400) | 500-700 TND (€160-230) | 1,500-2,500 TND (€500-800) |
| Sousse | 600-1,000 TND (€200-330) | 400-600 TND (€130-200) | 1,200-2,000 TND (€400-650) |
| Monastir | 500-900 TND (€160-300) | 350-600 TND (€110-200) | 1,000-1,800 TND (€330-600) |
Utilities (water, electricity, internet) add on average 150-250 TND (€50-80) per month.
Practical Tips:
- Prioritize suburban rentals to reduce rent.
- Negotiate long-term leases for advantageous rates.
Food
Food costs in Tunisia are moderate:
- Groceries: 300 to 500 TND/month (€100-160) for a single person, depending on consumption habits.
- Restaurant meals:
- Local restaurant: 5-15 TND (€1.5-5) per meal.
- Mid-range restaurant: 15-40 TND (€5-13).
- International restaurant: 50-80 TND (€16-26).
To optimize your budget, it’s recommended to cook at home and take advantage of local markets for fruits, vegetables, and fresh products.
Healthcare
Healthcare is affordable for expatriates:
- General practitioner consultation: 40-60 TND (€13-20).
- Private health insurance: 100-300 TND/month (€32-100) depending on age and chosen coverage.
Health Insurance Options:
- International insurance (often more expensive but more comprehensive).
- Local Tunisian insurance (less expensive, good coverage for routine care).
- Care in reputable private clinics known for their quality.
Transportation
- Public transportation (bus, light metro in Tunis): 0.5-1.5 TND (€0.15-0.50) per trip.
- Monthly pass: 30-50 TND (€10-16).
- Taxi: 0.8 TND/km (€0.25/km), minimum 4-7 TND per ride (€1.3-2.3).
- Car:
- Used car purchase: 20,000-50,000 TND (€6,500-16,000).
- Fuel: 2.5 TND/liter (€0.80/L).
- Insurance + maintenance: 200-300 TND/month (€65-100).
Tips:
- Public transportation is economical and well covers major cities.
- Car purchase may be relevant for families or outside urban centers.
Entertainment and Cultural Activities
- Cinema: 10-20 TND (€3-6) per ticket.
- Museum/monument: 5-15 TND (€1.5-5).
- Gym: 50-120 TND/month (€16-40).
- Restaurant/bar outing: 20-60 TND (€6-20) per person depending on the establishment.
Tunisia offers affordable access to numerous cultural and recreational activities.
Unexpected Expenses and Savings
It’s advisable to set aside a monthly reserve of 300-500 TND (€100-160) for unexpected expenses (healthcare, repairs, administrative procedures…).
For savings, aiming for 10 to 20% of the monthly budget helps secure your relocation.
Estimated Monthly Budget for a Single Expatriate
| Expense Category | Low Range | High Range |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (utilities included) | 950 TND (€310) | 1,450 TND (€480) |
| Food | 300 TND (€100) | 500 TND (€160) |
| Healthcare | 100 TND (€32) | 300 TND (€100) |
| Transportation | 50 TND (€16) | 300 TND (€100) |
| Entertainment | 100 TND (€32) | 300 TND (€100) |
| Unexpected/savings | 300 TND (€100) | 500 TND (€160) |
| Total Estimated | 1,800 TND (€590) | 3,350 TND (€1,100) |
Key Points:
- The cost of living in Tunisia is approximately 60% lower than in France.
- A single person can live comfortably on 2,000 to 3,000 TND/month (€600-1,000).
- To optimize your budget, prioritize local purchases, compare insurance offers, and use public transportation.
Good to know:
In Tunis, monthly apartment rent can range from 800 to 1500 TND, while healthcare costs require private insurance, often around 100 TND per month.
Destination Comparison: Tunisia vs Other Host Countries
| Country | Cost of Living Index (2025) | Average Weekly Budget | Housing | Food | Transportation | Healthcare | Entertainment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tunisia | 27.5 | €477 | Very Affordable | Very Affordable | Very Affordable | Inexpensive | Low Cost |
| Morocco | 29.98 | €290 | Affordable | Affordable | Affordable | Inexpensive | Low Cost |
| Egypt | ~28-30 | €210-315 | Very Affordable | Very Affordable | Very Affordable | Inexpensive | Low Cost |
| Turkey | ~39.5 | €542 | Moderate to Afford. | Affordable | Affordable | Higher | Moderate |
Main Comparison Elements:
- Housing: Rent in Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt is generally very low for expatriates, especially outside major tourist cities. In Turkey, housing remains affordable but can increase in cities like Istanbul or Antalya.
- Food: Local markets and dining are very economical in Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt. Turkey remains reasonable but slightly more expensive, particularly for imported products.
- Transportation: Public transportation is very accessible in all four countries. Taxis and ride-sharing services are particularly inexpensive in Tunisia and Egypt.
- Healthcare: Tunisia and Egypt offer low-cost healthcare, often used for medical tourism. Morocco remains competitive, but Turkey offers more private options with higher costs for premium care.
- Entertainment Services: Entertainment (restaurants, cinemas, fitness) is affordable in all countries, with a slight advantage to Egypt and Tunisia.
Consumer Price Indices (Numbeo, 2025):
- Tunisia: 27.5
- Morocco: 29.98
- Egypt: ~28-30
- Turkey: 39.5
The lower the index, the lower the cost of living.
Financial Advantages for Expatriates in Tunisia:
- Low overall cost: Tunisia is one of the cheapest countries for expatriates among these destinations, just after Morocco for the overall index, but ahead of Egypt and significantly ahead of Turkey.
- Price stability: Routine expenses (food, transportation, services) are stable and predictable.
- Good value for money for medical services and housing.
Potential Disadvantages:
- Some imported products or luxury services remain more expensive due to customs duties or limited availability.
- The choice of premium entertainment or international infrastructure may be more limited than in Turkey.
Impact on Expatriates’ Overall Budget:
- In Tunisia, an expatriate can cover all basic needs (housing, food, transportation, healthcare, entertainment) with a budget lower than required in Morocco, Egypt, or Turkey.
- Turkey, while remaining affordable, requires a higher monthly budget, especially in major cities or for an internationalized lifestyle.
- Cost of living differences allow expatriates in Tunisia to save more or access a higher standard of living with the same budget, particularly compared to Turkey.
Key Takeaways:
Tunisia offers one of the best cost/quality of life ratios for expatriates, with particularly low routine expenses, especially in housing, food, and healthcare. Only Turkey shows a notably higher cost, while Morocco and Egypt fall within the same range, with slight variations depending on the chosen consumption basket.
Good to know:
Compared to Morocco and Egypt, housing costs in Tunisia are often more affordable, but healthcare services may be less accessible than those offered in Turkey, impacting expatriates’ overall budget. Additionally, although food and transportation remain economical in Tunisia, entertainment is generally more expensive than in Egypt, which may influence destination choice for budget-conscious expatriates.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
