Cost of Living in Ghana
Ghana provides good value for money compared to Western countries, though Accra has become noticeably more expensive in recent years. Your lifestyle determines costs significantly.
Monthly Budget Breakdown (Accra)
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | $400-600 | $800-1,200 | $1,500-2,500 |
| Utilities (incl. internet) | $80-120 | $120-180 | $200-300 |
| Groceries | $200-300 | $300-500 | $500-700 |
| Transportation | $50-100 | $150-250 | $300-500 |
| Dining/Entertainment | $150-250 | $300-500 | $600-1,000 |
| Health Insurance | $50-100 | $150-300 | $300-600 |
| Total | $930-1,470 | $1,820-2,930 | $3,400-5,600 |
Housing Costs
Accra neighborhoods (monthly rent):
- Budget areas (Dome, Madina, Adenta): GHS 1,500-3,500 ($130-320) for 1BR
- Mid-range (Osu, Labone, Dzorwulu): GHS 4,000-8,000 ($360-730) for 1-2BR
- Expat areas (East Legon, Airport Residential, Cantonments): GHS 10,000-25,000 ($900-2,300) for 2-3BR
- Luxury compounds (Villagio, Trassaco Valley): GHS 30,000-80,000 ($2,700-7,300)
Important: Landlords typically require 1-2 years rent advance - a major upfront cost. Furnished apartments cost 30-50% more.
Food and Dining
Local markets: Very affordable for fresh produce, meat, fish - expect GHS 200-400 ($18-36) weekly
Supermarkets (Shoprite, Marina Mall): Western products expensive - 2-3x local prices
Local restaurants: GHS 30-60 ($2.70-5.50) per meal
Mid-range restaurants: GHS 80-150 ($7-14) per meal
Expat restaurants: GHS 150-350 ($14-32) per meal
Transportation
Uber/Bolt: GHS 14-65 ($1.20-5.60) for 10-30 minute rides
Tro-tro (shared minibus): GHS 2-10 ($0.18-0.90) - cheapest option
Taxis: More expensive than ride-hailing, negotiate prices
Car ownership: Used cars from $5,000-15,000, fuel ~GHS 14/liter ($5/gallon equivalent)
Key Cost Considerations
Electricity: Varies widely - GHS 200-800 ($18-73) monthly depending on AC usage
Water: Usually included in rent or minimal (GHS 20-50/$1.80-4.50)
Internet: Fiber broadband GHS 200-500 ($18-45) for 10-50 Mbps
Mobile data: Relatively cheap - GHS 100 ($9) for 30GB
Cities Comparison
Kumasi: 20-30% cheaper than Accra for housing
Takoradi: Similar to Kumasi, oil industry presence
Cape Coast: Smaller, 30-40% cheaper than Accra
Tamale (Northern Region): 40-50% cheaper overall
Pro Tips
- •Negotiate rent advance - some landlords accept 6 months for expats
- •Shop at local markets instead of supermarkets for 50-70% savings
- •Mobile money (MoMo) is essential - set it up immediately
- •East Legon and Airport Residential have most expat infrastructure
- •Budget for generator or inverter - power outages still happen
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