Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Senegal Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Dakar's property market is included in our pack
Dakar's 2026 rental market is shaped by strong demand, high renter share, and wide price gaps between neighborhoods.
Below, we break down rental prices in Dakar and explain which areas command the highest rents.
We constantly update this post with the latest data.
And if you're planning to buy property here, download our pack covering the real estate market in Dakar.
Insights
- Nearly half of Dakar households rent, creating persistent upward pressure and limiting chances of price drops.
- A 2-bedroom in Almadies costs over three times as much as in Mamelles, showing how much location matters.
- Furnished apartments in Dakar command 30% to 50% premiums, driven by expat and corporate demand.
- Properties with generator and AC fetch 15% to 25% higher rents due to electricity reliability concerns.
- Prime expat zones like Almadies have 3% to 6% vacancy, while outer districts reach 10% to 18%.
- Rent growth in Dakar in 2026 is expected at 4% to 7%, strongest in expat-heavy coastal zones.
- Well-priced central Dakar rentals find tenants in 10 to 20 days; overpriced units sit 60+ days.
- Peak demand hits August through October, driven by back-to-school moves.
What are typical rents in Dakar as of 2026?
What's the average monthly rent for a studio in Dakar as of 2026?
As of early 2026, typical studio rent in Dakar is around 400,000 CFA ($665/€615).
Studios range from 150,000 CFA ($250/€230) in affordable areas to 700,000 CFA ($1,165/€1,075) in premium furnished coastal units.
Main factors are location (coastal Almadies costs far more than Grand Dakar), furnishing, and amenities like AC, generator, or security.
What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Dakar as of 2026?
As of early 2026, average 1-bedroom rent in Dakar is approximately 380,000 CFA ($630/€585).
Range spans 150,000 CFA ($250/€230) in outer neighborhoods to 800,000 CFA ($1,330/€1,230) in prime city-centre.
Grand Dakar, HLM, and Parcelles Assainies are cheapest; Almadies, Plateau, and Mermoz are priciest.
What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom in Dakar as of 2026?
As of early 2026, average 2-bedroom rent in Dakar is around 700,000 CFA ($1,165/€1,075).
Range spans 350,000 CFA ($580/€540) mid-market to 1,300,000 CFA ($2,165/€2,000) in prime zones.
Mamelles offers 300,000 to 600,000 CFA; Almadies exceeds 1,300,000 CFA for modern secured units.
More detailed ranges in our property pack for Dakar.
What's the average rent per square meter in Dakar as of 2026?
As of early 2026, typical rent per m² in Dakar is 8,000 to 12,000 CFA/month ($13 to $20/€12 to €18).
Range spans 6,000 CFA ($10/€9) in affordable districts to 25,000 CFA ($42/€38) in premium coastal buildings.
Dakar commands higher rents per m² than other Senegalese cities due to concentrated economic activity.
Premium drivers: sea views, modern construction, 24/7 security, generator, embassy proximity in Almadies or Plateau.
How much have rents changed year-over-year in Dakar in 2026?
As of early 2026, Dakar rents increased 5% to 8% year-over-year, with premium furnished seeing firmest gains.
Main drivers: persistent urban growth, high renting share, limited new international-standard supply.
This continues last year's upward trend as demand outpaces supply in sought-after neighborhoods.
What's the outlook for rent growth in Dakar in 2026?
As of early 2026, projected rent growth in Dakar is 4% to 7%, stronger in expat-heavy coastal areas.
Key factors: continued urban migration, security-equipped apartment shortage, steady international organization demand.
Almadies, Ngor, and Mermoz expect strongest growth due to limited premium supply and high expat demand.
Risks: economic slowdown, expat hiring changes, or new construction easing supply constraints.
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Which neighborhoods rent best in Dakar as of 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the highest rents in Dakar as of 2026?
As of early 2026, highest-rent Dakar neighborhoods are Almadies, Ngor, and Plateau, with 2-bedrooms exceeding 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 CFA/month ($1,665 to $2,500/€1,540 to €2,300).
They command premiums through coastal proximity, modern construction, strong security, and embassy access.
Typical tenants: expat professionals, diplomats, NGO staff, and executives prioritizing security.
See our article on best areas to invest in Dakar.
Where do young professionals prefer to rent in Dakar right now?
Top neighborhoods: Mermoz/Sacré-Coeur, Ouakam, and Fann/Point E, offering centrality and newer apartments.
They typically pay 250,000 to 600,000 CFA ($415 to $1,000/€385 to €925) for 1BR or small 2BR.
Attractions: cafés, restaurants, coworking, good business access without Almadies premium prices.
Detailed tenant analysis in our Dakar property pack.
Where do families prefer to rent in Dakar right now?
Top family neighborhoods: Mamelles, Almadies/Ngor, and Fann/Amitié/Point E, offering space and school access.
Families pay 500,000 to 1,500,000 CFA ($830 to $2,500/€770 to €2,300) for 2 to 3-bedrooms.
Attractions: larger apartments, secure compounds, parking, services, quieter atmosphere.
Top schools: International School of Dakar, Cours Sainte Marie de Hann, Lycée Jean Mermoz.
Which areas near transit or universities rent faster in Dakar in 2026?
As of early 2026, fastest-renting areas: Fann/Point E (near Cheikh Anta Diop University), Grand Dakar, Sacré-Coeur/Liberté.
Well-priced rentals stay listed 10 to 25 days here versus 30 to 45 days elsewhere.
Transit/university proximity commands 50,000 to 100,000 CFA ($85 to $165/€75 to €155) monthly premium.
Which neighborhoods are most popular with expats in Dakar right now?
Most popular: Almadies, Ngor, Plateau; alternatives: Fann/Point E, Mermoz.
Expats pay 600,000 to 1,500,000 CFA ($1,000 to $2,500/€925 to €2,300) for furnished 1 to 2BR with security.
Attractions: international restaurants, secure compounds, generator backup, embassy proximity, beach access.
Main communities: French, American, Lebanese, European, plus UN/World Bank/NGO staff.
Read our expat guide for Dakar.
Get to know the market before buying a property in Dakar
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Who rents, and what do tenants want in Dakar right now?
What tenant profiles dominate rentals in Dakar?
Top profiles: local households (60-70%), young professionals (15-20%), expats (10-15% but dominating premium stock).
Locals seek unfurnished 2 to 3BR; young professionals want central studios/1BR; expats prefer furnished with security and generator.
Read our guide on buying and renting out in Dakar.
Do tenants prefer furnished or unfurnished in Dakar?
In Dakar, 70-75% prefer unfurnished; 25-30% prefer furnished (dominated by expats).
Furnished premium: 100,000 to 300,000 CFA ($165 to $500/€155 to €460) over unfurnished.
Furnished seekers: expat professionals, diplomats, NGO workers, business travelers valuing convenience.
Which amenities increase rent the most in Dakar?
Top rent boosters: generator/AC, 24/7 security, water storage, parking, elevator.
Premiums: generator 50,000-150,000 CFA ($85-$250/€75-€230), security 30,000-100,000 CFA, water storage 20,000-50,000 CFA, parking 25,000-75,000 CFA, elevator 20,000-60,000 CFA.
Best landlord investments in our Dakar property pack.
What renovations get the best ROI for rentals in Dakar?
Top ROI: generator/AC, kitchen/bath modernization, water storage, security upgrades, basic furnishing for expats.
Generator/AC: 1.5M-4M CFA cost, adds 75,000-150,000 CFA/month. Kitchen/bath: 1M-2.5M CFA, adds 50,000-100,000 CFA. Security: 500K-1.5M CFA, adds 30,000-75,000 CFA.
Poor ROI: overly luxurious finishes, extensive structural changes, high-end landscaping.
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How strong is rental demand in Dakar as of 2026?
What's the vacancy rate for rentals in Dakar as of 2026?
As of early 2026, Dakar vacancy is 8% to 12% citywide, varying by neighborhood.
Premium zones (Almadies, Ngor): 3% to 6%. Price-sensitive outer districts: 10% to 18%.
Aligns with historical average; structural demand keeps vacancy stable in good locations.
All indicators in our Dakar property pack.
How many days do rentals stay listed in Dakar as of 2026?
As of early 2026, average Dakar rental stays listed 20 to 45 days if correctly priced.
Prime furnished (Almadies/Mermoz): 10-20 days. Overpriced/lower-quality: 60+ days.
Similar to last year: well-priced moves fast, stale inventory is mostly mispriced.
Which months have peak tenant demand in Dakar?
Peak: August-October. Secondary peaks: January-February, May-June.
Drivers: back-to-school (September), corporate rotations (January), pre-rainy-season moves (May-June).
Lowest: November-December, March-April.
Don't buy the wrong property, in the wrong area of Dakar
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What will my monthly costs be in Dakar as of 2026?
What property taxes should landlords expect in Dakar as of 2026?
As of early 2026, budget for property taxes; amounts depend on commune, value, and status; collection is more systematic.
Range: 50,000-200,000 CFA ($85-$335/€75-€310) for smaller properties; up to 500,000 CFA ($830/€770) for larger/prime.
Calculated on assessed values and commune rates per DGID; verify with local tax office.
Tax deductions in our Dakar property pack.
What maintenance budget per year is realistic in Dakar right now?
Budget 1-2% of property value: roughly 500,000-1,500,000 CFA ($830-$2,500/€770-€2,300) annually.
Range: 300,000 CFA ($500/€460) newer apartments to 2,500,000 CFA ($4,165/€3,850) older with generator/AC.
Landlords typically set aside 8-15% of rental income for repairs, servicing, and upgrades.
What utilities do landlords often pay in Dakar right now?
Landlords commonly pay internet (furnished) and sometimes water; electricity usually tenant-paid or capped.
Costs when covered: internet 20,000-40,000 CFA ($35-$65/€30-€60) per Orange; water 10,000-30,000 CFA ($17-$50/€15-€45).
Unfurnished: tenants pay all. Furnished: landlords bundle internet/water; electricity capped or separate.
How is rental income taxed in Dakar as of 2026?
As of early 2026, declare rental income as "revenus fonciers"; progressive tax results in 15-25% effective rate for most.
Deductions: maintenance, insurance, property taxes, sometimes loan interest.
Common mistake: late filing or underreporting, now riskier as collection improves.
More in our Dakar property risks and pitfalls.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Senegal versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
In our articles and Dakar property pack, we use strong methodology and don't throw out numbers randomly.
Below are our authoritative sources and how we used them.
| Source | Why authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Numbeo | Crowdsourced database with averages and ranges. | We anchored city-centre vs outside-centre rents, scaled into all unit types. |
| Expat-Dakar | Major Senegal marketplace with neighborhood snapshots. | We cross-checked rent levels and ranked districts. |
| Keur-Immo | Major portal with active listings and filters. | We spot-checked asking rents and district spreads. |
| Loger-Dakar | Dakar rental portal across price segments. | We checked lower/middle rent distribution. |
| CoinAfrique | West African classifieds for lower-price segment. | We sanity-checked studio pricing floors. |
| CAHF | Housing finance institution with official data. | We used renter profiles and structural demand analysis. |
| Ministry of Finance | Official landlord filing obligations. | We explained rental income declaration. |
| Service Public | E-government portal in citizen-friendly language. | We confirmed timing and steps. |
| DGID | Tax authority for property taxes. | We sourced property tax concepts. |
| Senegal Services | Public service tax directory. | We flagged waste collection charges. |
| SENELEC | National electricity utility tariffs. | We framed utility costs and amenity value. |
| SEN'EAU | Water operator official tariffs. | We included water in cost planning. |
| Orange Senegal | Largest telecom with published pricing. | We gave internet reference price. |
| PwC | Professional firm tax summary. | We explained personal income tax framework. |
| Le Monde | Major newspaper on collection reforms. | We contextualized compliance importance. |
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