Skyline of Malakal
Cost of Living: 72 150,000

Malakal, South Sudan

Malakal is a major city in South Sudan with a population of 150,000.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 72

Below Average vs South Sudan Avg (100)

Housing Index 78

Affordable

Median Income SSP 300,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Malakal vs South Sudan Average

Cost of Living
Malakal: 72
South Sudan Avg: 100
Housing Index
Malakal: 78
South Sudan Avg: 100

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: SSP 300,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 150,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 280/year
  • Summer High: 95°F
  • Winter Low: 68°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: £8,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: £20000/mo

Cost of Living

Malakal's cost of living index is 72 (South Sudan average = 100).

CategoryMalakalNational AverageDifference
Overall72100-28.0%
Housing78100-22.0%

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

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price£8,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)£20000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)£25,000/mo
Price per Sq Ft£5,333

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 Malakal:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity£50000
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)£83Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water£15000Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)£50000Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities£115083Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

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

Remote Work Score

Malakal scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
72
Rent
£20000
Sunny Days
280
Tax
None
Unemployment
5.0%
Climate
95°F / 68°F
Safety
7.0 homicides/100k
Population
150,000
Internet Speed
3 Mbps

Climate

Malakal has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January88°F68°F2.5"
April80°F83°F2.8"
July95°F70°F1.5"
October75°F86°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7b

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Malakal faces the following natural hazards:

Drought Extreme Risk

Sahel region with extreme drought conditions.

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

Nile River and Sudd wetland flooding.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms.

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 – 1:30 PM
Academic Year February to November/December
Term System Trimester — 1st (Feb-May), 2nd (Jun-Aug), 3rd (Sep-Nov)
Summer Break November/December to February (10 weeks)
Winter Break August (3 weeks)
Spring Break May (2 weeks)

School year starts in February.

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 Malakal, South Sudan?

The cost of living index in Malakal is 72, which is Lower the South Sudan national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Malakal is £8,000,000. The housing index is 78.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Malakal is approximately £20000/mo.

Does Malakal, Upper Nile have income tax?

Malakal is in Upper Nile, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Malakal?

Malakal enjoys approximately 280 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 95°F, while winter lows can drop to around 68°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.