Skyline of Dili
Cost of Living: 100 250,000

Dili, Timor-Leste

Dili is a major city in Timor-Leste with a population of 250,000.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs Timor-Leste Avg (100)

Housing Index 115

Above Average

Median Income $ 12,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Dili vs Timor-Leste Average

Cost of Living
Dili: 100
Timor-Leste Avg: 100
Housing Index
Dili: 115
Timor-Leste Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 0.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $ 12,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 250,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 260/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 72°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: $200,000
  • 1BR Rent: $500/mo

Cost of Living

Dili's cost of living index is 100 (Timor-Leste average = 100).

CategoryDiliNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing115100+15.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$200,000
Median Rent (1BR)$500/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$625/mo
Price per Sq Ft$133

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Dili:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$20
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)$64Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$10Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$30Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities$124Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Dili scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
$500
Sunny Days
260
Tax
None
Unemployment
5.0%
Climate
88°F / 72°F
Safety
4.0 homicides/100k
Population
250,000
Internet Speed
10 Mbps

Climate

Dili has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January92°F72°F2.5"
April73°F87°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F90°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7b

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Dili faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake High Risk

Active seismic zone with significant earthquake risk.

Flood High Risk

Monsoon floods and coastal flooding.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Coastal areas with tsunami risk.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Forest fires.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Mountainous terrain with landslides.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 0%
  • Property Tax: ~0.1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Sep-Jan), Spring (Feb-Jun)
Summer Break June to September (12 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break March/April (1-2 weeks)

Standard academic calendar.

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Dili, Timor-Leste?

The cost of living index in Dili is 100, which is Lower the Timor-Leste national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Dili?

The median home price in Dili is $200,000. The housing index is 115.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Dili is approximately $500/mo.

Does Dili, Dili have income tax?

Dili is in Dili, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Dili?

Dili enjoys approximately 260 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 72°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.