Yemen🇾🇪
At a Glance
How Yemen compares across key indices
Cost of Living
42 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
25/100
Healthcare
49/100
Quality of Life
58/200
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Yemen
Cost of Living
42
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
32
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
42
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
44
100 = NYC dining
Safety & Crime
Higher RiskHow safe residents feel in Yemen - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
25/100
Crime Index
80/100
Lower is better
Walking Safety
0 point drop from day to night
Cities in Yemen
Yemen has 25 cities with Freedom Abroad estimates. Monthly costs for a single person range from $833 in Bājil to $1,105 in Sanaa. Dhamār leads on safety, scoring 25/100. Sayyān ranks highest for quality of life at 62/200.
Bājil
$833/mo
Dhamār
25/100
Sayyān
62/200
Sanaa
62/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanaa | $1,105 | 19/100 | 59/200 | 62/100 | 79 |
| Aden | $969 | 22/100 | 61/200 | 55/100 | 74 |
| Taiz | $962 | 23/100 | 61/200 | 54/100 | 73 |
| Ibb | $954 | 23/100 | 61/200 | 54/100 | 72 |
| Al Ḩudaydah | $951 | 23/100 | 61/200 | 54/100 | 72 |
| Mukalla | $942 | 24/100 | 61/200 | 53/100 | 71 |
| Dhamār | $884 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 49/100 | 66 |
| ‘Amrān | $858 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 47/100 | 64 |
| Sayyān | $847 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 46/100 | 63 |
| Zabīd | $834 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 45/100 | 62 |
| Sa'dah | $834 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 45/100 | 62 |
| Bājil | $833 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 45/100 | 62 |
| Ḩajjah | $833 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 45/100 | 62 |
| Dhī as Sufāl | $833 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 45/100 | 62 |
| Al Bayda | $833 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 45/100 | 62 |
| Ataq | $833 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 45/100 | 62 |
| Bayt al Faqīh | $833 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 45/100 | 62 |
| Yarīm | $833 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 45/100 | 62 |
| Saḩar | $833 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 45/100 | 62 |
| Laḩij | $833 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 45/100 | 62 |
| Ghayl Bā Wazīr | $833 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 45/100 | 62 |
| Zinjibār | $833 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 45/100 | 62 |
| Al Ḩazm | $833 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 45/100 | 62 |
| Ma'rib | $833 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 45/100 | 62 |
| Mocha | $833 | 25/100 | 62/200 | 45/100 | 62 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for Yemen
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Environment
PollutedAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Yemen
Pollution Index
70/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
34.8ug/m3
Unhealthy for sensitive
Environmental Quality
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Yemen, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Yemen?
Yemen has a cost of living index of 42 relative to New York City (100). It is moderately affordable compared to the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $884 in Dhamār and reach $1,105 in Sanaa.
What is the cheapest city in Yemen for expats?
Dhamār is the most affordable city in Yemen in Freedom Abroad estimates, with estimated monthly costs of $884 for a single person including rent. Mukalla is the next most affordable at $942/mo.
Is Yemen safe for expats?
Yemen has a safety index of 25/100, making it worth researching carefully before committing for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Dhamār scores highest on safety at 25/100.
What is the best city in Yemen for expats and digital nomads?
Dhamār ranks highest for quality of life in Yemen, scoring 62/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $884/mo for a single person.
How good is healthcare in Yemen?
Yemen scores 49/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it adequate by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
Is Yemen cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Yemen's cost of living is roughly 58% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 68% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
What is the air quality and pollution like in Yemen?
Yemen has a pollution index of 70/100 (lower = cleaner). Pollution can be a concern in urban areas. Research specific cities before committing, as rural and coastal areas typically fare better.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for Yemen
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Cost of Living
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Cost of living, safety, school, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates or verified public records modeled from open sources. Data sources
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