Cost of Living Comparison Between Tamale and Tema Cost of Living Comparison Between Tamale and Tema

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $61.8 per month in Tamale vs $611 in Tema, rent included.

A couple spends around $91.0 per month in Tamale vs $989 in Tema, rent included.

A family of three spends $121 per month in Tamale vs $1,367 in Tema, rent included.

Tamale is about 90% cheaper than Tema, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Tamale and Tema are more affordable than the global median – Tamale 95% lower, Tema 54% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.83 GHS 33.26

$7.50 GHS 88.0

-62.27%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$27.73 GHS 326

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.41 GHS 28.34

$8.18 GHS 96.0

-70.54%

Cappuccino

$0.95 GHS 11.15

$1.46 GHS 17.14

-34.93%

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

$0.51 GHS 5.93

$1.00 GHS 11.78

-49.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.41 GHS 4.78

$0.33 GHS 3.93

24.24%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.71 GHS 8.28

$1.74 GHS 20.38

-59.20%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.95 GHS 11.17

$2.69 GHS 31.63

-64.68%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.98 GHS 34.94

White Bread (500g)

$1.68 GHS 19.69

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.55 GHS 18.22

Eggs

$2.18 GHS 25.64

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.72 GHS 43.73

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.73 GHS 32.08

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$2.44 GHS 28.63

Apples (1kg)

$2.71 GHS 31.76

Banana (1kg)

$2.08 GHS 24.38

Oranges (1kg)

$2.07 GHS 24.27

Tomato (1kg)

$2.89 GHS 33.97

Potato (1kg)

$1.84 GHS 21.60

Onion (1kg)

$1.97 GHS 23.15

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.61 GHS 7.16

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.82 GHS 9.63

Wine (Bottle)

$7.21 GHS 84.7

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.45 GHS 17.02

$0.82 GHS 9.66

76.83%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.93 GHS 10.89

$2.03 GHS 23.87

-54.19%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$39.80 GHS 467

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.42 GHS 16.64

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.77 GHS 9.00

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 GHS 13.98

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

$30.84 GHS 362

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

$12.26 GHS 144

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$64.6 GHS 759

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$19.37 GHS 227

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

$82.4 GHS 967

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,681 GHS 113.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$25.07 GHS 294

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.67 GHS 290

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$45.82 GHS 538

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$60.6 GHS 712

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$117 GHS 1,371

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$66.6 GHS 782

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$139 GHS 1,629

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$10.0K GHS 117.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,030 GHS 70.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$390 GHS 4,576

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

32.5

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

Last update for Tamale: June 2, 2026

Last update for Tema: May 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 Tema: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Tema costs about 888% more than Tamale, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $92.7 per month in Tamale and $916 in Tema. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $61.8 in Tamale and $611 in Tema. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 2419% more in Tema, 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 $61.8 in Tamale and $611 in Tema, 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, Tema makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.