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Average Salary in Hargeysa: Are the Wages Worth the Costs?

@Hugo Barrett2/12/2026blog

so i was thinking about moving to hargeysa because i heard the salaries were decent. like, i know it's not london or nyc but maybe it's good enough. but then i started asking people about it and everyone had their story. some said it's perfect, others said it's a trap. i don't know. i guess that's me.

first off, let's talk about the data. i looked up the average salary in hargeysa and it's around $300-500 a month. that sounds okay, right? but then you add rent, which is like $100-200 for a tiny place. and then there's food, utilities, and that weird tax they have. honestly, it feels like you're just barely scraping by. i mean, $300 is not nothing, but if you're used to paying $1,000 for a place in a city, it's like living in a cave.

but here's the thing. i sat down with a guy who used to work in accounting in hargeysa and he said, 'don't let the numbers fool you.' he said the salaries are structured in a way that makes you feel like you're earning more than you actually are. like, if you make $400 a month, you might think that's good, but then you realize half of it goes to rent. and the other half? well, that's for everything else. it's like a constant game of catch-up.

i also found this thing called the cost of living index. it's not super accurate, but it says hargeysa is cheaper than most african cities. but that's not the whole story. for example, the job market is shaky. most jobs are in government or small businesses, and the pay isn't always reliable. i talked to a freelance photographer who said she only gets paid when a client drops by. and even then, it's not consistent. so if you're relying on a salary, you might be in for a surprise.

now, don't get me wrong. hargeysa has its perks. the safety is better than some places, and the people are friendly. but then i heard from a local that the traffic is a disaster. i couldn't believe it. they said it's like driving in a video game where everything is moving in different directions. and the weather? it's that weird mix of heat and humidity that makes you want to scream. i asked someone about it, and they said it's like the sun is trying to decide if it's summer or a horror movie.

but here's the real kicker. i overheard a conversation at a coffee shop between two people who had just moved there. one said, 'i came here thinking it was affordable, but now i'm wondering if i'll ever save enough for a vacation.' the other nodded and said, 'don't worry, i'll just borrow money from my friends.' that's not a joke. people here are so used to scraping by that they don't even think about it.

i also saw some reviews on tripadvisor that made me laugh. one said, 'the cafes in hargeysa are like they're trying to pretend they're in a different country.' another said, 'the local markets are great if you like bargaining. i once bought a bag of rice for 50 cents and felt like i won the lottery.' i don't know if that's true, but it sounds like a story worth telling.

then there's the neighbors. i live next to a guy who plays his music so loud it sounds like a вторжение. i've tried to talk to him, but he just says, 'this is my culture.' i don't know if i'm exaggerating, but it's a real thing. and the weather? let's just say it's a constant reminder that you're not in a place with a consistent climate.

i asked a yoga instructor about the job market, and she said, 'it's not bad if you're in the right field. but if you're in something that's not in demand, you're basically a ghost.' she mentioned that tech and education are growing, but even then, it's not steady. i also met a digital nomad who said she moved here to escape the cost of living in her home country, but now she's stuck because she can't find work that matches her skills. it's a tough spot.

but here's the thing. maybe hargeysa isn't about the money. maybe it's about something else. like, the community or the culture. i heard from a local that the people here are incredibly welcoming. even if you're a foreigner, they'll help you find a place or introduce you to people. but then again, that might be just what i want to hear.

i also saw some data about safety. hargeysa is generally safe, but there are areas you should avoid. one review said, 'don't walk alone at night in the old parts of the city. it's not worth the risk.' another said, 'the police are there, but they don't do much unless you're in a big mess.' it's a mix of honesty and caution, which is kind of the vibe of hargeysa.

so, are the wages worth the costs? i don't know. for some people, yes. for others, no. it depends on what you value. if you're all about saving money and living simply, hargeysa might work. but if you're expecting a high salary or a stable job, you might be disappointed.

i found a local subreddit that had some interesting takes. one person wrote, 'i moved here to start a business, but it's harder than i thought. the bureaucracy is a nightmare.' another said, 'the weather is the worst. i wish i had a heater.' and someone else said, 'if you can handle the heat and the chaos, it's a unique experience.'

here are some links if you want to check it out. the tripadvisor page for hargeysa has reviews that might give you an idea of what to expect: [tripadvisor link]. there's also a yelp page for a local coffee shop that's supposedly the best in town: [yelp link]. and if you want to read more, this subreddit has discussions about living in hargeysa: [reddit link].

i also saw an image of a man in a black jacket standing in a field. it looked like he was ready for a rebellion. i don't know what that means, but it felt like a metaphor for hargeysa. maybe it's about surviving the chaos.

another picture showed the sun setting over the city. it was beautiful, but also a reminder that even the best places have their challenges.

i guess the bottom line is that hargeysa isn't for everyone. but if you're willing to embrace the mess, maybe it's worth it. or maybe it's not. either way, it's a place that doesn't pretend to be perfect. and that, maybe, is part of the charm.

remember, this is just one person's take. i'm not an expert. just a disillusioned consultant who still hasn't figured out how to pay my bills. but hey, at least i'm not in a cave.

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About the author: Hugo Barrett

Just a human trying to be helpful on the internet.

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