Skyline of Nouakchott
Cost of Living: 100 1,200,000

Nouakchott, Mauritania

Nouakchott is a major city in Mauritania with a population of 1,200,000.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs Mauritania Avg (100)

Housing Index 110

Above Average

Median Income UM 180,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Nouakchott vs Mauritania Average

Cost of Living
Nouakchott: 100
Mauritania Avg: 100
Housing Index
Nouakchott: 110
Mauritania Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 16.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: UM 180,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 1,200,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 290/year
  • Summer High: 95°F
  • Winter Low: 62°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7a

Housing

  • Median Home: UM2,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: UM5000/mo

Cost of Living

Nouakchott's cost of living index is 100 (Mauritania average = 100).

CategoryNouakchottNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing110100+10.0%

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

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceUM2,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)UM5000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)UM6,250/mo
Price per Sq FtUM1,333

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

UM
%
$90,000 down
%
%
UM

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Nouakchott:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityUM500
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)UM53Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterUM200Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)UM500Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesUM1253Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

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

Remote Work Score

Nouakchott scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
UM5000
Sunny Days
290
Tax
None
Unemployment
5.0%
Climate
95°F / 62°F
Safety
5.0 homicides/100k
Population
1,200,000
Internet Speed
8 Mbps

Climate

Nouakchott has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January82°F62°F2.5"
April80°F77°F2.8"
July95°F70°F1.5"
October75°F80°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7a

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Nouakchott faces the following natural hazards:

Drought Extreme Risk

Sahel region with extreme drought conditions.

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat in the Sahara.

Sandstorm High Risk

Frequent sandstorms in the Sahara.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 16%
  • Property Tax: ~0% 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 October to July
Term System Semester — Fall (Oct-Jan), Spring (Feb-Jul)
Summer Break July to October (12 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Eid al-Fitr break (1-2 weeks)

Arabic and French education systems.

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

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 Nouakchott, Mauritania?

The cost of living index in Nouakchott is 100, which is Lower the Mauritania national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Nouakchott is UM2,000,000. The housing index is 110.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Nouakchott is approximately UM5000/mo.

Does Nouakchott, Nouakchott have income tax?

Nouakchott is in Nouakchott, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Nouakchott?

Nouakchott enjoys approximately 290 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 95°F, while winter lows can drop to around 62°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.