How much are the rents in Mauritania right now? (2026)

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A team specialized in real estate investing in African countries

We are a team of financial experts, legal professionals, developers, and local real estate specialists dedicated to helping people like you avoid mistakes when investing in real estate in a foreign place, particularly in Mauritania. If you’d like to learn more about us, you can check our presentation page.

What are typical rents in Mauritania as of 2026?

What's the average monthly rent for a studio in Mauritania as of 2026?

As of 2026, the average monthly rent for a studio in Mauritania is about 6,500 MRU, which is around $165 or €140.

In practice, most studio rents in Mauritania range from about 4,500 MRU to 12,000 MRU per month, or roughly $115 to $300 and €100 to €260.

This range is wide because a basic studio in Arafat, Dar Naim or Sebkha is much cheaper than a furnished studio in Ksar, Tevragh Zeina or Ilot K.

What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Mauritania as of 2026?

As of 2026, the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Mauritania is about 12,000 MRU, which is around $300 or €260.

Most 1-bedroom apartments in Mauritania rent for about 8,000 MRU to 25,000 MRU per month, or roughly $200 to $625 and €175 to €545.

The cheapest 1-bedroom rents are usually in Arafat, Sebkha, Dar Naim and outer Nouakchott, while the highest are in Tevragh Zeina, Ksar and Ilot K.

What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom in Mauritania as of 2026?

As of 2026, the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Mauritania is about 22,000 MRU, which is around $550 or €480.

Most 2-bedroom apartments in Mauritania rent for about 14,000 MRU to 40,000 MRU per month, or roughly $350 to $1,000 and €305 to €870.

The cheapest 2-bedroom rents are usually found in outer Arafat, Dar Naim, Riyad and Sebkha, while the most expensive ones are in Tevragh Zeina, Ksar and Ilot K.

By the way, you will find much more detailed rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Mauritania.

What's the average rent per square meter in Mauritania as of 2026?

As of 2026, the average residential rent per square meter in Mauritania is about 300 MRU per month, which is around $8 or €7.

Across Mauritania, a realistic rent range is about 200 MRU to 550 MRU per m² per month, or roughly $5 to $14 and €4 to €12.

Nouakchott is much more expensive than smaller cities like Rosso, Atar and Kaédi, while Nouadhibou can be stronger because of port, fishing and mining-linked demand.

In Mauritania, air conditioning, backup water, better bathrooms, secure parking and a central Nouakchott address are the main reasons rent per m² rises above average.

How much have rents changed year-over-year in Mauritania in 2026?

As of 2026, average residential rents in Mauritania are probably up by about 5% to 8% year over year.

The main drivers are higher living costs, steady migration into Nouakchott, limited good apartment supply and stronger demand from government, NGO, mining and telecom tenants.

This 2026 rent increase in Mauritania looks stronger than the previous year for central Nouakchott, but still moderate in smaller towns and lower-income outer districts.

What's the outlook for rent growth in Mauritania in 2026?

As of 2026, rent growth in Mauritania is likely to finish the year around 4% to 7% nationally.

The strongest support comes from Nouakchott’s urban growth, limited quality apartment stock and continued demand from formal employers and international organizations.

The strongest 2026 rent growth in Mauritania is expected in Tevragh Zeina, Ksar, Ilot K, Socogim PS and main-road parts of Arafat.

The main risks are weaker household purchasing power, currency pressure, slower public spending, water or electricity problems and too many overpriced furnished units.

Which neighborhoods rent best in Mauritania as of 2026?

Which neighborhoods have the highest rents in Mauritania as of 2026?

As of 2026, the top high-rent areas in Mauritania are Tevragh Zeina at about 30,000 to 60,000 MRU per month, Ilot K at about 25,000 to 50,000 MRU and Ksar at about 22,000 to 45,000 MRU, or roughly $550 to $1,500 and €480 to €1,300 depending on size.

These Nouakchott neighborhoods command premium rents because they offer better roads, easier car access, more security, stronger power and water reliability and proximity to embassies, offices and clinics.

The tenants who rent in these high-rent neighborhoods in Mauritania are usually embassy staff, NGO workers, company-paid tenants, senior civil servants, higher-income families and returnees.

By the way, we’ve written a blog article detailing Sources and methodology: we used Mauri Home, Expat.com and World Bank mobility research. We focused on apartments, not large villas. Our own neighborhood scoring weighted access, security and tenant depth.

Where do young professionals prefer to rent in Mauritania right now?

Young professionals in Mauritania often prefer Ksar, Socogim PS and main-road parts of Arafat because these areas balance commute time, rent and daily convenience.

In these Nouakchott neighborhoods, young professionals usually pay about 8,000 to 22,000 MRU per month, or roughly $200 to $550 and €175 to €480, depending on size and furnishing.

These areas attract young renters because they offer easier access to offices, cafés, transport routes, mobile internet, air conditioning options and lower rents than prime Tevragh Zeina.

By the way, you will find a detailed tenant analysis in our property pack covering the real estate market in Mauritania.

Where do families prefer to rent in Mauritania right now?

Families in Mauritania usually prefer Tevragh Zeina, Ksar and Socogim PS when budgets allow, while more price-sensitive families also look at Arafat, Dar Naim and Riyad.

For 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom homes in these family-friendly parts of Nouakchott, typical rents are about 18,000 to 60,000 MRU per month, or roughly $450 to $1,500 and €390 to €1,300.

Families like these neighborhoods because parking, schools, clinics, larger rooms, security walls, water storage and car access matter a lot in the Mauritania rental market.

Important education options near family areas include the University of Nouakchott Al Aasriya area for older students and private schools around Tevragh Zeina and Ksar for younger children.

Which areas near transit or universities rent faster in Mauritania in 2026?

As of 2026, the fastest-renting areas near transit or universities in Mauritania are Ksar, the University of Nouakchott Al Aasriya area and main-road sections of Arafat and Sebkha.

Good rentals in these high-demand Nouakchott areas often stay listed for about 20 to 40 days, while weaker or overpriced units can take much longer.

A home close to a useful road, bus route or university area can earn a rent premium of about 2,000 to 6,000 MRU per month, or roughly $50 to $150 and €45 to €130.

Which neighborhoods are most popular with expats in Mauritania right now?

Expats in Mauritania mostly choose Tevragh Zeina, Ksar and Ilot K because these Nouakchott areas are close to embassies, international offices and higher-quality furnished rentals.

Expats usually pay about 25,000 to 80,000 MRU per month in these neighborhoods, or roughly $625 to $2,000 and €545 to €1,740, depending on size, furnishing and security.

These neighborhoods attract expats because furnished units, air conditioning, backup water, secure parking, better internet and easier access to offices are more common there.

The most visible expat groups in these areas include French-speaking West Africans, Europeans, North Africans, NGO staff, embassy staff and mining or energy-linked professionals.

And if you are also an expat, you may want to read our Sources and methodology: we used Expat.com, Airbnb monthly stays and Mauri Home. We discounted short-stay prices before estimating normal rents. Our own expat-demand checks focused on amenities, not just price.

Who rents, and what do tenants want in Mauritania right now?

What tenant profiles dominate rentals in Mauritania?

The top tenant groups in Mauritania are local salaried households, young professionals and students, and formal-sector or international tenants such as NGO, embassy and company-paid renters.

As a practical estimate, local salaried households represent about 45% of formal demand, young professionals and students about 30%, and international or company-paid tenants about 25%.

Local families usually want 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom homes, young renters often want studios or 1-bedrooms, and company-paid tenants usually want furnished 1-bedroom or 2-bedroom apartments.

If you want to optimize your cashflow, you can read our Sources and methodology: we used World Bank, IMF and Mauri Home. We estimated tenant shares from city function and listing types. Our own rental-demand model separates local and expat demand.

Do tenants prefer furnished or unfurnished in Mauritania?

In Mauritania, about 65% to 75% of normal long-term tenants prefer unfurnished or semi-furnished homes, while about 25% to 35% prefer furnished rentals.

A furnished apartment in Mauritania often earns an extra 5,000 to 18,000 MRU per month, or roughly $125 to $450 and €110 to €390, compared with a similar unfurnished unit.

Furnished rentals are mainly preferred by expats, NGO workers, embassy staff, company-paid tenants, short-term professionals and returnees who do not want to buy furniture immediately.

Which amenities increase rent the most in Mauritania?

The five amenities that increase rent the most in Mauritania are air conditioning, backup water storage, generator or inverter setup, secure parking and modern bathrooms or kitchens.

Each strong amenity can add about 1,500 to 8,000 MRU per month, or roughly $40 to $200 and €35 to €175, with the largest premiums in Tevragh Zeina and Ksar.

In our property pack covering the real estate market in Mauritania, we cover what are the best investments a landlord can make.

What renovations get the best ROI for rentals in Mauritania?

The best rental ROI renovations in Mauritania are split-unit air conditioning, water tanks, bathroom upgrades, kitchen cabinets and repainting with heat-resistant exterior fixes.

Typical costs run from about 150,000 to 400,000 MRU, or roughly $3,750 to $10,000 and €3,260 to €8,700, and can raise rent by about 10% to 20% when the unit was previously basic.

Low-ROI renovations in Mauritania usually include luxury flooring, expensive imported décor, oversized furniture and villa-style upgrades in areas where tenants mainly want reliable services and fair rent.

How strong is rental demand in Mauritania as of 2026?

What's the vacancy rate for rentals in Mauritania as of 2026?

As of 2026, the formal residential vacancy rate in Mauritania is probably around 8% to 12% nationally.

In central Nouakchott, well-priced apartments in Ksar, Tevragh Zeina and Ilot K may have vacancy near 5% to 8%, while weaker outer areas or smaller cities can be closer to 12% to 18%.

Compared with the recent historical norm, 2026 vacancy in Mauritania looks slightly lower in prime Nouakchott but still normal or high in thinner rental markets outside the capital.

Finally please note that you will have all the indicators you need in our property pack covering the real estate market in Mauritania.

How many days do rentals stay listed in Mauritania as of 2026?

As of 2026, a normal rental in Mauritania stays listed for about 35 to 60 days before finding a tenant.

Good central Nouakchott apartments can rent in 20 to 40 days, while overpriced furnished units, weak outer-neighborhood units and smaller-city properties can take 45 to 90 days.

Compared with one year ago, days on market in prime Nouakchott look slightly shorter in 2026, while slow-moving units outside the best areas have not improved much.

Which months have peak tenant demand in Mauritania?

Peak tenant demand in Mauritania usually comes from August to October, then again from January to February.

These busy months are linked to school moves, university activity, government and NGO relocations, new work contracts and families trying to settle before the year’s main routines begin.

The slowest months in the Mauritania rental market are often Ramadan periods, Eid periods and parts of the hottest season, when viewings and negotiations can slow down.

What will my monthly costs be in Mauritania as of 2026?

What property taxes should landlords expect in Mauritania as of 2026?

As of 2026, a small landlord in Mauritania should often reserve about 5% to 10% of annual rent for property-related taxes and basic compliance, which is about 13,000 to 26,000 MRU per year on a 22,000 MRU monthly rent, or roughly $325 to $650 and €285 to €565.

Depending on the property, municipality and landlord profile, annual property-related tax exposure can be closer to 8,000 to 60,000 MRU, or roughly $200 to $1,500 and €175 to €1,300.

Property and rental tax treatment in Mauritania depends on the taxpayer, the property, the municipality, the lease structure and whether the tenant is a formal company that may withhold tax.

Please note that, in our property pack covering the real estate market in Mauritania, we cover what exemptions or deductions may be available to reduce property taxes for landlords.

What utilities do landlords often pay in Mauritania right now?

In Mauritania, landlords most often pay shared building cleaning, shared security, pump or septic maintenance and sometimes internet or electricity in furnished serviced rentals.

Typical landlord-paid shared costs can be about 1,000 to 5,000 MRU per month, or roughly $25 to $125 and €20 to €110, depending on building size and service level.

For normal long-term unfurnished rentals in Mauritania, tenants usually pay electricity, water, internet and gas directly, while landlords mainly cover repairs and shared building costs.

How is rental income taxed in Mauritania as of 2026?

As of 2026, rental income in Mauritania is taxable, so landlords should plan for a practical tax reserve of about 10% to 20% of rental receipts or net rental income depending on structure.

Possible deductions may include accepted repairs, maintenance, certain property charges and costs linked to earning rent, but landlords should confirm the exact treatment with a Mauritanian tax adviser.

Common Mauritania-specific mistakes include not declaring rental income, ignoring withholding when a company pays rent, mixing villa and apartment income assumptions and relying only on informal cash records.

We cover these mistakes, among others, in our Sources and methodology: we used Direction Générale des Impôts, General Tax Code and PwC withholding tax guidance. We translated rules into a planning range. Our own model flags tenant type because formal tenants can change tax handling.

We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Mauritania 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?

Whether it’s in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Mauritania, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can and we don’t throw out numbers at random.

We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we’ve listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.

Source	Why this source matters	How we used it
ANSADE	ANSADE is Mauritania’s official national statistics agency.	We used it as the official base for inflation and national statistical context. We treated it as the first reference point before using private rental listings.
IMF Mauritania country page	The IMF gives regularly updated macroeconomic projections for Mauritania.	We used it to anchor 2026 growth and inflation assumptions. We used those assumptions to check whether rent-growth estimates were realistic.
IMF DataMapper	IMF DataMapper gives comparable country-level macro indicators.	We used it to cross-check Mauritania’s 2026 inflation, population and income context. We used it to avoid relying only on local listing prices.
World Bank Mauritania country page	The World Bank is a strong source for population, urbanization and development context.	We used it to explain why rental demand is concentrated in cities. We especially used it to support the Nouakchott-led reading of the market.
World Bank Mauritania Transport Policy Note	This report directly studies Nouakchott’s urban mobility and access problems.	We used it to understand why better-connected neighborhoods rent faster. We also used it to interpret demand near main roads and transport routes.
Direction Générale des Impôts	This is Mauritania’s official tax administration.	We used it for the tax framework that affects landlords. We treated it as more authoritative than private tax summaries.
Mauritania General Tax Code	This is an official legal source for Mauritanian taxation.	We used it to understand the legal basis for property and rental-income taxation. We cross-checked it with tax-practitioner summaries for readability.
PwC Mauritania personal tax summary	PwC is a major international tax adviser with country-specific tax summaries.	We used it to translate Mauritanian tax rules into plain language. We compared it with official tax sources before using it in the article.
PwC Mauritania withholding taxes	This is a recognized professional summary of withholding-tax rules.	We used it to flag that withholding can matter when rent is paid by companies. We did not use it as a substitute for local tax advice.
Société Mauritanienne d’Électricité	SOMELEC is Mauritania’s electricity utility.	We used it to understand that electricity is normally a metered utility. We used it in the landlord-cost and tenant-cost sections.
Agence Mauritanienne d’Information	AMI is Mauritania’s official news agency.	We used it for the June 2026 water-tariff update. We used it to estimate what landlords may or may not include in rent.
University of Nouakchott Al Aasriya on WHED	WHED is a recognized international database for higher education institutions.	We used it to locate student and staff demand around the university. We used it to name areas where rentals can move faster.
Société de Transport Public	This is Mauritania’s public transport operator.	We used it to understand public transport improvements in Nouakchott. We used it to explain why main-route areas matter more in 2026.
Mauri Home	Mauri Home is a Mauritania-focused rental portal with visible Nouakchott listings.	We used it as market evidence, not as official statistics. We cross-checked its listing direction with macro data and expat-facing platforms.
Expat.com Mauritania housing	Expat.com gives visible expat-facing rental listings for Mauritania.	We used it to check furnished and expat-oriented asking rents. We treated it as skewed toward higher-quality stock.
Airbnb Nouakchott monthly stays	Airbnb is useful for furnished short-stay and medium-stay supply.	We used it to understand furnished demand and amenity expectations. We discounted it when estimating normal long-term rents.