Skyline of Sittwe
Cost of Living: 68 350,000

Sittwe, Myanmar

Sittwe is a major city in Myanmar with a population of 350,000.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Sittwe is a city in Rakhine with a population of 350,000. Sittwe is a major city in Myanmar with a population of 350,000. Housing is more affordable than the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 7b growing zone supports Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees. A relatively small share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree. The population skews young, with a median age of 29.0.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 68

Below Average vs Myanmar Avg (100)

Housing Index 72

Affordable

Median Income K 2,800,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Sittwe vs Myanmar Average

Cost of Living
Sittwe: 68
Myanmar Avg: 100
Housing Index
Sittwe: 72
Myanmar Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 5.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: K 2,800,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 350,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 220/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 65°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: K55,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: K150000/mo

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Cost of Living

Sittwe's cost of living index is 68 (Myanmar average = 100).

CategorySittweNational AverageDifference
Overall68100-32.0%
Housing72100-28.0%

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

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceK55,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)K150000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)K187,500/mo
Price per Sq FtK36,666

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

K
%
$90,000 down
%
%
K

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Sittwe:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityK30000
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)K19Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterK10000Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)K30000Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesK70019Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

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

Remote Work Score

Sittwe scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 68
Rent
— K150000
Sunny Days
— 220
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 5.0%
Climate
— 88°F / 65°F
Safety
— 3.5 homicides/100k
Population
— 350,000
Internet Speed
— 15 Mbps

Climate

Sittwe has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January85°F65°F2.5"
April73°F80°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F83°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7b

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Sittwe faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake High Risk

Active seismic zone with significant earthquake risk.

Cyclone High Risk

Significant cyclone risk.

Flood High Risk

Monsoon floods and Irrawaddy delta flooding.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Coastal areas with tsunami risk.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 5%
  • 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 – 3:30 PM
Academic Year June to March
Term System Semester — 1st (Jun-Oct), 2nd (Nov-Mar)
Summer Break March to June (12 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (1 week)
Spring Break Thingyan (Water Festival) in April (1 week)

School year starts in June. Long summer break during the hottest months.

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

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

Demographics

The population of Sittwe is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Bamar
68.0%
Karen
7.0%
Other
16.0%
Shan
9.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.0%
High school graduate
25.0%
Less than high school
50.0%
Some college
10.0%

Religion

Buddhist
88.0%
Christian
6.0%
Muslim
4.0%
Other
2.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Department of Population (2014)

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 Sittwe, Myanmar?

The cost of living index in Sittwe is 68, which is Lower the Myanmar national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Sittwe is K55,000,000. The housing index is 72.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Sittwe is approximately K150000/mo.

Does Sittwe, Rakhine have income tax?

Sittwe is in Rakhine, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Sittwe?

Sittwe enjoys approximately 220 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 65°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: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.