Cost of Living in Aleppo, Syria

Aleppo, Syria's second largest city, is one the most ancient cities in the modern world. As a center for trade along the Silk Route, it still retains the feel of an Arabian bazaar. If you're considering moving to Syria, the reasonable cost of living will certainly not drive you away.

Housing

Many expatriates living in Aleppo choose to live in spacious two or three bedroom flats. Monthly rent ranges from about $300/month to $500/month. You pay for what you get, so if you want something in better condition and with more space, you can expect to pay more. You can hire house help at about $100/month if you want someone to come do a thorough clean and help with the laundry three times a week.

Food

A mix of local fare and a few more expensive imported products generally costs a couple or small family around $100/week of $400/month. If you tend to buy more imported foods, this will drive your food budget up, but if you are content to cook with fresh local produce you can eat well in Aleppo.

Utilities

Utilities in Syria are cheap compared to many Western countries. Water bills run around $5 per month, while most families pay about $30 per month for electricity. Gas for cooking is bought in canisters, and will probably cost you about $5 per month. If you like to keep your home warm in the winter months, you can expect to pay $400 per year for heating.

Transportation

Buying a car in Syria can be expensive due to customs regulations and the numerous sanctions the country is currently under. If you plan to self-drive, you'll probably spend about $50 a month on petrol.

In the city center, you can get around by walking and won't need to shell out any cash to get from one area to another. You can take buses to different parts of the city from the station behind Mirage Palace Hotel, off of Sharia Bab Antakya. A ticket will cost about 10 Syrian pounds, which is less than US 25 cents. For taxi rides across the city, you'll pay between 25 and 50 Syrian pounds, or just 50 cents to $1. Make sure you know where you're going, as cab drivers may drop you off without even being near your location.

For a couple planning to live in Syria, you can expect your basic necessities plus a gym membership and house help to cost you around $12,000 to $13,000 a year. Budget a little more for traveling to nearby Damascus, Lebanon, Turkey, or Jordan, and your life in Aleppo will certainly be rewarding.