🇸🇳 Senegal · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Dakar? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
Furnished 2-bed, Mermoz / Sacré-Cœur / Point EXOF 400,000–900,000 / mo · Almadies villas well above 1,000,000
Unfurnished studio or F2, Liberté / Grand YoffXOF 100,000–250,000 / mo
Ceebu jën at a neighbourhood gargoteXOF 1,000–2,000
Senelec bill, 2-bed with air-conditioningXOF 15,000–40,000 / mo, higher in the hot season
Est. single-person monthly (excl. rent)XOF 200,000–350,000 local · 600,000+ expat
Good to know
Population
1.18 million in Dakar department, about 4 million in the region — 22% of Senegal on 0.28% of its land (2023 census)
Languages
French (sole official); Wolof is what the city actually speaks, plus Pulaar and Serer
Currency
West African CFA franc (XOF) — pegged at €1 = 655.957
Time zone
GMT (UTC+0, no daylight saving) — level with London in winter, an hour behind it in summer
Power plug
Type C / E, 230V 50Hz
Climate
Hot semi-arid, cooled by the Atlantic; one rainy season July–October, dry the rest of the year
Westernmost point
Pointe des Almadies — the far edge of continental Africa
Driving side
Right
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Dakar checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Dakar
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.