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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $746 per month in Accra vs $62.0 in Tamale, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,304 per month in Accra vs $92.0 in Tamale, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,862 per month in Accra vs $122 in Tamale, rent included.

Accra costs about 1103% more than Tamale, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Accra and Tamale are more affordable than the global median – Accra 44% lower, Tamale 95% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Accra
Tamale
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.34 GHS 50.2
$2.97 GHS 34.28
46.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.15 GHS 556
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.70 GHS 89.0
$2.39 GHS 27.63
222.18%
Cappuccino
$3.50 GHS 40.43
$0.93 GHS 10.74
276.34%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.00 GHS 11.55
$0.47 GHS 5.39
112.77%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 GHS 3.98
$0.37 GHS 4.32
-5.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.53 GHS 17.62
$0.70 GHS 8.12
118.57%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.56 GHS 29.56
$0.95 GHS 11.03
169.47%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Accra
Tamale
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$3.37 GHS 38.94
-
-
White Bread (500g)
$1.46 GHS 16.84
-
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.47 GHS 28.49
-
-
Eggs
$2.27 GHS 26.20
-
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.22 GHS 130
-
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.54 GHS 52.5
-
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.87 GHS 67.8
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.90 GHS 33.47
-
-
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 GHS 16.86
-
-
Oranges (1kg)
$1.71 GHS 19.80
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$3.17 GHS 36.62
-
-
Potato (1kg)
$2.98 GHS 34.39
-
-
Onion (1kg)
$2.46 GHS 28.40
-
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.76 GHS 8.80
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48 GHS 5.54
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.58 GHS 18.28
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$7.30 GHS 84.4
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.16 GHS 13.38
$1.47 GHS 17.01
-21.09%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 GHS 22.68
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Accra
Tamale
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.05 GHS 12.10
$0.96 GHS 11.06
9.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$35.17 GHS 406
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.54 GHS 17.76
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.17 GHS 13.47
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.38 GHS 62.1
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.13 GHS 13.00
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$8,009 GHS 92.5K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$9,480 GHS 109.5K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Accra
Tamale
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$55.6 GHS 642
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.03 GHS 150
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.61 GHS 434
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Accra
Tamale
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$35.17 GHS 406
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.03 GHS 185
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.74 GHS 112
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Accra
Tamale
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$72.2 GHS 834
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,959 GHS 91.9K
$9,625 GHS 111.2K
-17.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Accra
Tamale
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$14.51 GHS 168
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.82 GHS 217
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$28.88 GHS 334
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.84 GHS 472
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Accra
Tamale
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$530 GHS 6,119
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$147 GHS 1,700
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,048 GHS 12.1K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$378 GHS 4,369
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,797 GHS 32.3K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,469 GHS 17.0K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Accra
Tamale
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$180 GHS 2,083
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
25.4
0
-

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

Last update for Accra: July 11, 2026

Last update for Tamale: July 12, 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
How do living costs in Accra and in Tamale compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $746 in Accra, $62.0 in Tamale – roughly 1103% apart. Accra costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Accra compared to Tamale?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,119 per month in Accra and $93.0 in Tamale. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Accra or Tamale?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $746 in Accra and $62.0 in Tamale. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 3081% more in Accra, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Tamale, where all-in costs run around $62.0, than in Accra at $746. In Tamale it covers expenses comfortably, while in Accra it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Accra or Tamale?
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.
How do I decide between Accra and Tamale?
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.

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