Cost of living in Tunisia, prices and what it is like to live for an Expat, quality of life / hardship, and compare cost of living for Expatriates as at October 2023.

What is it like to live in Tunisia?

Climate: The climate is temperate in the north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers, with desert in the south.

Language: The official language is Arabic. French is used in business and government and is mostly spoken. While only a few Tunisians are proficient in English, the number of English speakers is increasing.

Religion: Islam.

Economy: The economy of Tunisia is in the process of economic reform and liberalization after decades of heavy state direction and participation in the economy. Economic and fiscal planning have resulted in moderate but sustained growth for over a decade. Tunisia's economic growth historically has depended on oil, phosphates, agri-food products, car parts manufacturing, and tourism.

Inflation: 9.2% for Tunisia as at August 2023.

Money: The currency of Tunisia is the Tunisian Dinar (TND). ATMs are widely available in major urban areas not all international cards are accepted. Major credit cards are generally accepted (but not all) at most shops, restaurants and hotels.

Tax: In Tunisia is based on the current personal income tax rates which are progressive up to 36%.

Population: 11.8 Million (2022 est.)

Expat Life: Expatriate dress code is conservative typically a lightweight suit. Women should be aware that extremists demand the observance of strict Muslim dress codes. The safety risk for expatriates in Tunisia is low overall, but high in the south and the interior. Risks include ongoing economic challenges, petty crime, strikes, protests and incursions by armed groups along the border with Libya, as well as terrorism.

Health Care: Health care facilities are generally adequate but not at international standards. The cost of treatment for expatriates can be high. Usually immediate payment is required. Serious or complex health care treatment may require evacuation which can be expensive.

Tunisia covers all areas within the country other than Tunis.

Cost Of Living

What is the cost of living in Tunisia?

The cost of living for expatriates in Tunisia as at October 2023 is very low in comparison to other places in the world, with an overall Cost of Living Index (COLI), for all 13 basket groups, of 37.58 (New York =100). We have collected prices for the same items, world wide, based on Expat spending norms, in or closest to the location, and converted them to $USD so that we can compare the cost of 13 different baskets in 780 global locations. For each basket, compared to New York, the equivalent cost in Tunisia is as follows:

1) Alcohol and/or Tobacco: Cost is low for items such as beer, spirits, wine and tobacco related products such as cigarettes. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$610. Average price in a store for a midrange bottle of wine is USD$6.33, domestic/local beer (500ml) USD$1.69, imported/international beer (330ml) USD$1.37 and a pack of 20 cigarettes is USD$4.23.

2) Clothing: Cost is low for items such as business, casual and children's clothing and footwear. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$590. Average price for an international brand of mens jeans is USD$39, a quality international brand of running shoes USD$88, mens leather shoes suitable for office wear USD$59 while a medium size international summer dress from a global chain store is USD$46.

3) Communication: Cost is very low for various communication costs such as home telephone rental, internet subscription, mobile service provider tariff and data costs. A basket costing USD$200 in New York costs USD$86. Average price for a monthly standard plan internet subscription is USD$20, while the benchmark mobile tariff is USD$9.75 per minute.

4) Education: Cost is low for items such as creche / pre-school fees, primary school fees, high school fees and tertiary study fees. A basket costing USD$30,000 in New York costs USD$16200. Average annual private international school fee (excluding extras) USD$10,488 for Primary School, and USD$11,671 for High School.

5) Furniture & Appliances: Cost is very low for items such as dining table and chairs, home entertainment, kitchen appliances, and sofas. A basket costing USD$2,500 in New York costs USD$1150. Average price for a 6kg front loader Washing Machine is USD$558, and USD$479 for a 46+'' LED UHD TV.

6) Groceries: Cost is very low for items such as consumables, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruit & vegetables, general food products, snacks, soft drinks. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$440. Average grocery prices in a major international retail store for 1 kg apples is USD$0.94, 1 kg oranges USD$0.51, 1 head lettuce USD$0.44, 1 kg potatos USD$0.33, 1 kg boneless, skinless, chicken breast USD$2.78, 1 kg cheddar cheese USD$5.30, 1 dozen large eggs USD$1.64, 500g loaf white bread USD$0.17, 1 L full cream milk USD$2.24, and 1.5 L water USD$0.34.

7) Healthcare: Cost is very low for general heath care, doctor visits, hospital stays, non-prescription medicine, and medical insurance. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$450. Average healthcare cost for a private practice Doctor visit for an uninsured patient is USD$36, and a private hospital stay per day including nursing care, medications, diagnostic tests, food, and related costs is USD$1,122.

8) Household Accommodation: Cost is very low for items such as apartment rent, house rent, property purchase, mortgage rate, and utilities. A basket costing USD$5,000 in New York costs USD$950. Average expatriate house / apartment rent for a secure upmarket unfurnished apartment (3 bedrooms) is USD$1,232 in a central location, and USD$710 in a suburban location, per month, excluding utilities.

9) Miscellaneous: Cost is average for items such as dry cleaning, linen, magazines, newspapers, office supplies, and postage stamps. A basket costing USD$500 in New York costs USD$365. Average price for dry cleaning (1 mens 2 pc suit) is USD$7.09, while an international newspaper is USD$2.18.

10) Personal Care: Cost is very low for items such as cosmetics, hair care, and toiletries. A basket costing USD$500 in New York costs USD$185. Average cost for a mens haircut and blow dry is USD$15, while a womens hair colour, cut and blow dry - medium length is USD$73.

11) Recreation & Culture: Cost is low for items such as books, cinema, sport and theatre tickets. A basket costing USD$500 in New York costs USD$230. Average price for a latest release international cinema ticket (average of on and off peak where applicable) for one adult is USD$6.33, and an international fitness, recreation or sports club membership cost for one adult is USD$32 per month.

12) Restaurants Meals Out and Hotels: Cost is very low for items such as hotel daily room rates, meals and beverages in a restaurant, and take away food and beverages. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$290. Average cappuccino price (regular, medium) is USD$0.99, coke/pepsi (330ml) USD$0.69, burger meal (international franchise or similar) USD$5.07, and a mid-range international restaurant meal for 2 USD$21.11.

13) Transport: Cost is very low for items such as fuel (petrol/gasoline), car hire, public transport, vehicle purchase and maintenance. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$390. Average average price over the last year for highest available octane petrol / gasoline (1L) is USD$2.72, while the benchmark car sedan purchase price including taxes/duties for a compact / small / economy vehicle (1.4 L) is USD$29,235.

How does the cost of living in Tunisia compare?

Tunisia is -44.2% cheaper than USA for groceries, -67.5% cheaper for household costs than UK, and -22.2% cheaper for transport costs than India.

What is the quality of life / hardship in Tunisia?

Tunisia is ranked as a high degree of hardship location.The hardship premium for Tunisia for an expat from Australia, is for example 20%, i.e. host location (Tunisia) premium of 30% minus home (Australia) location premium of 10%.

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