Cost of Living Comparison Between Accra and Tamale Cost of Living Comparison Between Accra and Tamale

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $766 per month in Accra vs $61.8 in Tamale, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,317 per month in Accra vs $91.0 in Tamale, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,867 per month in Accra vs $121 in Tamale, rent included.

Accra costs about 1140% more than Tamale, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Accra and Tamale are more affordable than the global median – Accra 43% lower, Tamale 95% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.29 GHS 50.4

$2.83 GHS 33.26

51.59%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$46.88 GHS 550

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 GHS 91.9

$2.41 GHS 28.34

224.48%

Cappuccino

$3.45 GHS 40.53

$0.95 GHS 11.15

263.16%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.94 GHS 11.07

$0.51 GHS 5.93

84.31%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 GHS 4.03

$0.41 GHS 4.78

-17.07%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.58 GHS 18.53

$0.71 GHS 8.28

122.54%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.52 GHS 29.59

$0.95 GHS 11.17

165.26%

Milk (1 liter)

$3.37 GHS 39.62

White Bread (500g)

$1.43 GHS 16.81

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.43 GHS 28.52

Eggs

$2.29 GHS 26.90

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.36 GHS 133

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.62 GHS 54.2

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.03 GHS 70.8

Apples (1kg)

$2.90 GHS 34.10

Banana (1kg)

$1.44 GHS 16.89

Oranges (1kg)

$1.64 GHS 19.29

Tomato (1kg)

$3.08 GHS 36.13

Potato (1kg)

$3.13 GHS 36.71

Onion (1kg)

$2.42 GHS 28.44

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.82 GHS 9.58

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 GHS 6.06

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.58 GHS 18.50

Wine (Bottle)

$7.07 GHS 83.0

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.12 GHS 13.15

$1.45 GHS 17.02

-22.76%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.93 GHS 22.66

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.04 GHS 12.21

$0.93 GHS 10.89

11.83%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$34.78 GHS 408

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.56 GHS 18.30

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.18 GHS 13.83

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.40 GHS 63.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.07 GHS 12.55

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$8,145 GHS 95.6K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$9,815 GHS 115.2K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$56.4 GHS 662

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$13.00 GHS 153

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.61 GHS 441

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.58 GHS 418

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.03 GHS 188

Cinema Ticket

$9.60 GHS 113

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$72.0 GHS 845

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,954 GHS 93.4K

$9,681 GHS 113.7K

-17.84%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$14.88 GHS 175

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$18.54 GHS 218

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$28.78 GHS 338

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$40.81 GHS 479

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$529 GHS 6,212

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$150 GHS 1,764

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,038 GHS 12.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$365 GHS 4,287

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,841 GHS 33.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,501 GHS 17.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$172 GHS 2,025

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

25.4

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Accra: May 31, 2026

Last update for Tamale: June 2, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Accra vs Tamale: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $766 in Accra, $61.8 in Tamale – roughly 1140% apart. Accra costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,150 per month in Accra and $92.7 in Tamale. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $766 in Accra and $61.8 in Tamale. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 3136% more in Accra, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Tamale, where all-in costs run around $61.8, than in Accra at $766. In Tamale it covers expenses comfortably, while in Accra it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Tamale – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Tamale. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Accra makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.