Djerba vs Manouba: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Manouba costs roughly 4.2x less than Djerba. Djerba scores significantly higher on safety — worth weighing against the cost gap. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Djerba is approximately 71% less expensive than Manouba based on cost of living including rent. This makes Djerba a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Djerba has a FIRE Score of 78/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 65, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Djerba is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Djerba
Djerba is a budget traveler's fantasy, where a one-bedroom in the center costs just $117/mo and a three-course meal for two runs $20, yet the local average salary of $278/mo means you'll live like a king on expat income. The island's Mediterranean climate and low crime index (35/100) are solid draws, but the limited English and small expat community will test your patience if you're not fluent in French or Arabic. With a FIRE score of 78/100, it's a top pick for early retirees on a shoestring, though the fair healthcare and 25 Mbps internet keep it from being a digital nomad haven. Skip it if you need urban energy; embrace it if you want cheap beach living with zero pretense.
About Tunisia
Best for retirees on a tight budget, as Tunisia offers a retirement visa (Carte de séjour). A one-bedroom apartment in the city center averages just $241.52/month, making it a very affordable option in Africa. However, limited English proficiency and a low English-speaking doctor availability create significant daily hurdles for non-Arabic speakers.
$2,741/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Manouba
Manouba is a cheap place to live, with a 1-bedroom in the center at $200/mo and a single person's monthly costs outside rent around $320/mo, but local salaries average $450/mo, so remote income is close to mandatory. The 79/100 overall expat score and 81/100 FIRE score flatter a town of 59 thousand with limited English, fair healthcare, and a safety index of 50/100 that will not suit everyone. It sits 3 km from TUN airport, which is genuinely convenient, yet the digital nomad score of 57/100 and retiree score of 54/100 suggest Manouba works best as a quiet, low-cost base rather than a destination. Choose it for the arithmetic, not the atmosphere.
About Tunisia
Best for retirees on a tight budget, as Tunisia offers a retirement visa (Carte de séjour). A one-bedroom apartment in the city center averages just $241.52/month, making it a very affordable option in Africa. However, limited English proficiency and a low English-speaking doctor availability create significant daily hurdles for non-Arabic speakers.
$2,618/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Djerba | Manouba |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $116.86 | $200.21 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $66.77 | $150.15 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $273.35 | $266.94 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $206.74 | $200.21 |
| Safety Index | 65 | 50 |
| Internet Speed | 25Mbps | 30Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Djerba | Manouba |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $259/mo | $399/mo |
| Excluding rent | $192/mo | $249/mo |
| Rent | $67.00/mo | $150/mo |
| Groceries | $84.00/mo | $94.00/mo |
| Dining out | $28.00/mo | $33.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $33.00/mo | $48.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $47.00/mo | $74.00/mo |
| Transport | N/A | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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Djerba vs Manouba -- Frequently Asked Questions
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