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Sanaa🇾🇪

Yemen · Cost of living & nomad guide 2026

Population
3,000,000
Timezone
Asia/Aden
Nomad community
Small

City metrics

📊 Data estimated — figures are based on published regional averages and are updated quarterly. Last verified: May 24, 2026

Financial

Rent 1BR (centre)$150/mo
Rent 1BR (outside)$90.00/mo
Rent 3BR (centre)$350/mo
COL index20 (vs Switzerland=101)
Cheap meal$3.00
Mid-range meal for 2$8.00
Monthly groceries~$180

Infrastructure

Internet speed5 Mbps
Internet reliability20/100
Healthcare index25/100
Coworking spaces~1

Lifestyle

Safety index10/100
Air quality125 AQI — Unhealthy
Walkability35/100
Climate score60/100
English proficiencylow
Source: OpenAQ · Global Peace Index · regional statistical agencies · Updated Live + annual

Nomad

Nomad communitySmall
Visa easeimpossible
Budget score82/100
Lifestyle score20/100
Overall nomad score
22/100
Source: NoodlePants composite (World Bank ICP, Ookla, OpenAQ) · Updated Quarterly

What it's actually like here

Let's be blunt: as a digital nomad, this isn't your next Bali or Lisbon. The genuine affordability is striking – a 1-bedroom in the city center for $150? Groceries for under $200? Yes, it's incredibly cheap. But that's where the typical nomad dreams end. This location primarily suits aid workers or highly specialized professionals *already* working there, not someone looking for a new remote work base. Infrastructure is a significant challenge. Internet at 5 Mbps with a reliability score of 20? Expect frequent outages and slow speeds. There's only one coworking space, and English proficiency is low. Safety is a major concern (index 10), and air quality is poor. Visa ease? "Impossible" pretty much sums it up. The honest caveat? This is no place for a casual digital nomad. It's a challenging environment demanding a very specific, and typically non-touristic, purpose for being there.

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Who this suits

Budget nomad

Featured neighbourhoods

Neighbourhood guides coming soon for Sanaa.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to live in Sanaa as a digital nomad?+

As of 2026, a 1-bedroom apartment in the centre of Sanaa averages around $150 per month, and the overall cost-of-living index sits at 20 (vs Switzerland = 101). Nomads typically budget extra for coworking, eating out, and travel.

Is Sanaa safe for digital nomads?+

Sanaa scores 10/100 on our composite safety index, which blends the Global Peace Index, crime stats and traveller-advisory data. Stick to well-known nomad neighbourhoods and avoid walking alone late at night.

How fast is the internet in Sanaa?+

Headline average internet speed in Sanaa is around 5 Mbps based on Ookla Speedtest data. That's enough for video calls, large file uploads and most remote-work needs in central neighbourhoods — coworking spaces and serviced apartments usually run faster than that.

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