Sudan
Data updated Jun 19, 2026
Overall Score
16.5
Challenging
Avg. Rent (1BR)
$686.14
-60% vs US Avg
Safety Index
22.4
COL Index
20
Level 4 — Do Not Travel
Please check the latest official travel advisories for Sudan before planning your trip.
Sudan carries a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory from the U.S. State Department. That is the highest designation, reserved for active war zones. Since April 2023, fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced over 8 million internally, and rendered Khartoum itself a frontline city at various points in the conflict. There is no expat profile this suits for retirement, FIRE, or remote work. The conversation about cost of living or tax efficiency is irrelevant when the State Department is telling Americans to leave and the U.S. embassy in Khartoum suspended operations in April 2023.
The numbers in the data set are almost certainly stale or unverifiable. A Numbeo estimate of $550 per month excluding rent and a city-center one-bedroom at $686 per month may have reflected conditions before the war collapsed the Sudanese pound and disrupted supply chains. The currency has been in freefall for years, and parallel exchange rates have historically diverged sharply from official ones. Even if those nominal figures were accurate today, they would be meaningless in a city where basic services, banking infrastructure, and physical safety cannot be assumed. The healthcare index score of 20.7 out of 100 reflects a system that was already one of the weakest in Africa before the 2023 conflict destroyed roughly 70 to 80 percent of healthcare facilities in Khartoum according to WHO reporting.
The practical friction here is not bureaucratic. It is existential. Electricity and water have been intermittently cut across Khartoum since the fighting began. Internet infrastructure is severely degraded, which is why the Speedtest Global Index returned no data for Sudan. Banking is largely non-functional for international transfers. Foreigners who remained after the conflict began faced extreme difficulty evacuating, as commercial flights stopped and the U.S. government organized a limited military convoy operation in May 2023 for embassy staff and a small number of American citizens.
On taxes, the U.S. taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live, so standard obligations apply. Sudan has no tax treaty with the United States, meaning there is no framework for avoiding double taxation on income earned or sourced there. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, which allows qualifying Americans abroad to exclude up to $126,500 of earned income for tax year 2024, would technically be available if someone met the bona fide residence or physical presence test, but applying that framework to Sudan in its current state is a hypothetical with no practical relevance. Do not go to Sudan.
Recommended Destinations in Sudan
Best for Retirees
Best for Geoarbitrage
Best for Remote Workers
- Capital
- Khartoum
- Official Language
- Arabic, English
- Time Zone
- UTC+03:00
- Region
- Africa
- Population
- 43,849,269
- Healthcare Index
- 20.7
- Internet Speed
- 57.55 Mbps
- Climate Zones
- arid
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Explore data visually
🏙️ Top Cities in Sudan
Explore cost of living, walkability scores, and expat ratings for individual cities in Sudan.
CoL Index: 29
Est. Total: ~$850/mo
CoL Index: 20
Est. Total: ~$500/mo
CoL Index: 39
Est. Total: ~$1,250/mo
How far does $771.25 go in Sudan?
With a monthly budget of $1,500, you can live comfortably in Sudan. After accounting for an average rent of $686.14, you have approximately $813.86 remaining for daily expenses.
Calculate your FIRE timeline with these costs →💰 Cost of Living in Sudan
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means it's cheaper.
Cost Comparison Notes:
Summary of cost of living in Sudan: The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $1,998.8, excluding rent. The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $550.0, excluding rent. Cost of living in Sudan is, on average, 54.7% lower than in United States. Rent in Sudan is, on average, 63.1% lower than in United States.
🛒 Grocery & Family Costs
Family Costs
⚕️ Healthcare System
Our Top Pick for Nomads: SafetyWing
Flexible, subscription-based health cover for remote workers in Sudan.
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An estimation of the overall quality of the health care system. Higher is better.
Quality & Affordability:
Sudan's public sector health system has a three-tiered structure managed by federal and state ministries of health. However, the system faces challenges due to ongoing conflicts, leading to damaged facilities and reduced services.
Insurance Insights:
Private health insurance is advisable to ensure access to better-quality care and cover potential medical evacuations.
🛂 Visa & Residency Pathways
🛂 Visa Services
Ready to apply for a Sudan visa?
Get help with your application — tourist, long-stay, and residency visas processed online.
General Overview
Process & Requirements:
Due to the outbreak of widespread armed conflict in 2023, Sudan does not have a functioning, safe, or predictable immigration system. The 'difficult' score reflects the reality of an active war zone. State institutions, including immigration services, are severely disrupted or non-operational in many parts of the country. Foreign embassies have evacuated, and international travel is subject to extreme risk and warnings. There is no viable way for a foreign national to seek or obtain long-term residency at this time. Any pre-existing legal frameworks are currently irrelevant due to the conflict.
Residency & Citizenship Notes:
There is no viable pathway to permanent residency or citizenship. The state institutions that would manage such processes are not functioning. Long-term settlement in Sudan is not a feasible or safe option for the foreseeable future.
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🛡️ Safety & Stability
An estimation of overall safety level. Higher is better.
An estimation of the overall level of crime. Lower is better.
Reflects perceptions of political stability. Higher is better.
Safety Notes:
Crime Rate: High. Active conflict zones exacerbate risks of violence and lawlessness.
Types of Crime: Armed robbery, carjacking, and terrorism-related activities.
Kidnapping Risk: High; frequent in conflict areas, particularly Darfur and border regions.
🏦 Taxation & Finance
Recommended Partner
Fidelity →Recommended Partner
IBKR →Recommended Partner
bordr →Recommended Partner
My Expat Taxes →Recommended Partner
Greenback Expat Tax →Recommended Partner
Taxes For Expats →Recommended Partner
Send money to Sudan with Wise Money Transfer →Recommended Partner
Fidelity →Recommended Partner
SoFi →🏦 Tax Snapshot
Tax Treaties Notes:
No US-Sudan tax treaty. Sanctions and conflict disrupt tax systems.
Retiree Tax Benefits:
Extreme risk; retirement impossible.
Cost Savings vs. U.S.:
Hyperinflation and scarcity make costs volatile.
☀️ Climate & Environment
Climate Zones:
Our proprietary index for drinking water quality and sanitation. Higher is better.
Seasonal Variations:
Sudan experiences a desert climate in the north and a tropical climate in the south. The rainy season occurs from June to September, with the rest of the year being predominantly dry.
😊 Quality of Life
Cultural Amenities:
Museums & Cultural Institutions
Sudan is home to several museums, including the Sudan National Museum in Khartoum, which showcases the country's rich history and archaeological finds.
The Khalifa House Museum in Omdurman offers insights into Sudanese culture and the Mahdist period.
Performing Arts
Sudan has a vibrant music scene, with traditional genres like Al-Mahrajan and modern pop influencing the cultural landscape.
The Sudanese National Theatre in Khartoum hosts various performances, including plays and musical shows.
Cultural Festivals
The Sudanese Independence Day on January 1st is celebrated with various cultural events and performances.
The Khartoum International Film Festival showcases films from Sudan and around the world.
Culinary Culture
Sudanese cuisine includes dishes like ful medames (stewed fava beans), kisra (fermented bread), and tagine.
The country's cuisine reflects its diverse ethnic groups and regional influences.
🌐 Infrastructure & Connectivity
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GetRentacar.com →Recommended Partner
Drimsim →Our proprietary ranking of public transit accessibility and reliability.
Internet Reliability:
Sudan has limited internet infrastructure with significant challenges due to political instability and economic issues.
Speed & Quality: Fixed broadband averages around 18 Mbps where available, primarily in Khartoum.
Availability: Limited infrastructure, concentrated in major cities. Rural areas have minimal coverage.
Cost: Expensive and subject to economic instability, typically $20-50/month.
Reliability for Remote Work: Challenging for remote work due to limited infrastructure, slow speeds, and political instability affecting service reliability.
Transportation Network:
Sudan has deteriorating transportation infrastructure affected by economic crisis, sanctions, and ongoing conflict.
Roads: Road network exists but maintenance is poor and many routes are unsafe due to conflict.
Rail: Extensive rail network but aging equipment and poor maintenance affect reliability.
Domestic Travel: Limited domestic flights due to economic issues; most transport relies on buses and trains with poor conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sudan
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