Cost of Living Comparison Between Tamale and AccraCost of Living Comparison Between Tamale and Accra
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $146 per month in Tamale vs $1,094 in Accra, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $220 per month in Tamale vs $1,741 in Accra, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $294 per month in Tamale vs $2,388 in Accra, rent included.
🙂Tamale is about 87% cheaper than Accra, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Tamale and Accra are more affordable than the global median – Tamale89% lower, Accra20% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tamale
Accra
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.62GHS 40.67
$8.04GHS 90.5
-54.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$54.2GHS 609
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.87GHS 122
$10.76GHS 121
1.02%
Cappuccino
-
$4.47GHS 50.2
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86GHS 9.67
$1.63GHS 18.37
-47.24%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42GHS 4.71
$0.49GHS 5.47
-14.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.91GHS 10.18
$1.84GHS 20.74
-50.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35GHS 15.17
$2.37GHS 26.69
-43.04%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tamale
Accra
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.09GHS 34.82
$3.71GHS 41.78
-16.71%
White Bread(500g)
$1.70GHS 19.15
$1.72GHS 19.36
-1.16%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.84GHS 43.17
$3.13GHS 35.19
22.68%
Eggs
-
$2.69GHS 30.23
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$12.30GHS 138
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$7.43GHS 83.6
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$9.93GHS 112
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$3.79GHS 42.64
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.47GHS 16.56
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$1.82GHS 20.49
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$3.68GHS 41.41
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$2.80GHS 31.52
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$2.74GHS 30.82
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.76GHS 8.59
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.61GHS 6.90
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$2.70GHS 30.37
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$7.38GHS 83.1
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.31GHS 14.78
$1.26GHS 14.12
3.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.43GHS 27.35
-
🚌 Getting Around
Tamale
Accra
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90GHS 10.15
$1.59GHS 17.87
-43.40%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$41.38GHS 466
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.79GHS 20.19
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.31GHS 14.78
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$4.47GHS 50.3
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.39GHS 15.60
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$7,977GHS 89.7K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$10.3KGHS 115.4K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tamale
Accra
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$74.7GHS 840
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$19.81GHS 223
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$44.54GHS 501
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tamale
Accra
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$72.1GHS 811
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.03GHS 214
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$13.47GHS 151
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tamale
Accra
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$463GHS 5,210
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,010GHS 101.4K
$18.9KGHS 212.7K
-52.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tamale
Accra
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$14.82GHS 167
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$18.92GHS 213
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$36.59GHS 412
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$54.9GHS 617
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tamale
Accra
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$685GHS 7,706
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$286GHS 3,217
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,121GHS 12.6K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$474GHS 5,332
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,867GHS 32.3K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,429GHS 16.1K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tamale
Accra
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$181GHS 2,039
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
26.75
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tamale: August 29, 2026
Last update for Accra: August 31, 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
Tamale vs Accra: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Tamale and in Accra compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $146 in Tamale, $1,094 in Accra – roughly 651% apart. Accra costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Tamale compared to Accra?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $218 per month in Tamale and $1,640 in Accra. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tamale or Accra?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $146 in Tamale and $1,094 in Accra. 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 308% 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 $146, than in Accra at $1,094. In Tamale it covers expenses comfortably, while in Accra it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Tamale or Accra?
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 Tamale and Accra?
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.