Cost of Living Comparison Between Elmina and Tamale Cost of Living Comparison Between Elmina and Tamale

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $532 per month in Elmina vs $61.8 in Tamale, rent included.

A couple spends around $903 per month in Elmina vs $91.0 in Tamale, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,274 per month in Elmina vs $121 in Tamale, rent included.

Elmina costs about 761% more than Tamale, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Elmina and Tamale are more affordable than the global median – Elmina 60% lower, Tamale 95% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.31 GHS 50.7

$2.83 GHS 33.26

52.30%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.20 GHS 554

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.91 GHS 92.9

$2.41 GHS 28.34

228.22%

Cappuccino

$3.49 GHS 40.97

$0.95 GHS 11.15

267.37%

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

$0.93 GHS 10.87

$0.51 GHS 5.93

82.35%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 GHS 4.05

$0.41 GHS 4.78

-17.07%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.56 GHS 18.37

$0.71 GHS 8.28

119.72%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.56 GHS 30.01

$0.95 GHS 11.17

169.47%

Milk (1 liter)

$3.45 GHS 40.52

White Bread (500g)

$1.43 GHS 16.81

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.35 GHS 27.59

Eggs

$2.30 GHS 26.98

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.32 GHS 133

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.79 GHS 56.2

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.00 GHS 70.5

Apples (1kg)

$2.89 GHS 33.93

Banana (1kg)

$1.43 GHS 16.81

Oranges (1kg)

$1.69 GHS 19.83

Tomato (1kg)

$3.19 GHS 37.48

Potato (1kg)

$3.10 GHS 36.34

Onion (1kg)

$2.43 GHS 28.55

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.77 GHS 9.00

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 GHS 6.03

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.59 GHS 18.62

Wine (Bottle)

$7.05 GHS 82.8

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.12 GHS 13.16

$1.45 GHS 17.02

-22.76%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.93 GHS 22.68

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.93 GHS 10.89

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.55 GHS 18.18

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.21 GHS 14.18

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.40 GHS 63.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.07 GHS 12.59

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

$7,843 GHS 92.1K

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

$9,458 GHS 111.0K

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

$54.7 GHS 642

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

$13.44 GHS 158

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.50 GHS 440

Cinema Ticket

$9.70 GHS 114

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

$73.4 GHS 861

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,040 GHS 94.4K

$9,681 GHS 113.7K

-16.95%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$14.53 GHS 171

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$18.52 GHS 217

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$29.62 GHS 348

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$40.75 GHS 478

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 Elmina: June 1, 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

Elmina vs Tamale: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Elmina is pricier by about 761%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $798 per month in Elmina 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 $532 in Elmina and $61.8 in Tamale. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 3156% more in Elmina, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $532 in Elmina and $61.8 in Tamale, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

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, Elmina makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.