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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $62.0 per month in Tamale vs $624 in Tema, rent included.

A couple spends around $92.0 per month in Tamale vs $995 in Tema, rent included.

A family of three spends $122 per month in Tamale vs $1,365 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 53% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.97 GHS 34.28

$7.19 GHS 83.0

-58.69%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$27.76 GHS 321

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.39 GHS 27.63

$7.82 GHS 90.3

-69.44%

Cappuccino

$0.93 GHS 10.74

$1.46 GHS 16.84

-36.30%

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

$0.47 GHS 5.39

$1.04 GHS 12.05

-54.81%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 GHS 4.32

$0.31 GHS 3.57

19.35%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.70 GHS 8.12

$1.74 GHS 20.04

-59.77%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.95 GHS 11.03

$2.67 GHS 30.81

-64.42%

Milk (1 liter)

$3.05 GHS 35.25

White Bread (500g)

$1.62 GHS 18.66

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.56 GHS 18.06

Eggs

$2.19 GHS 25.24

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.66 GHS 42.30

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.64 GHS 30.46

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$2.41 GHS 27.83

Apples (1kg)

$2.83 GHS 32.68

Banana (1kg)

$2.02 GHS 23.38

Oranges (1kg)

$2.09 GHS 24.13

Tomato (1kg)

$2.86 GHS 32.98

Potato (1kg)

$1.82 GHS 20.99

Onion (1kg)

$1.99 GHS 22.93

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.64 GHS 7.39

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.88 GHS 10.13

Wine (Bottle)

$7.04 GHS 81.3

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.47 GHS 17.01

$0.88 GHS 10.11

67.05%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.96 GHS 11.06

$2.10 GHS 24.28

-54.29%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.03 GHS 462

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.36 GHS 15.76

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.76 GHS 8.76

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 GHS 13.81

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

$31.32 GHS 362

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

$12.42 GHS 143

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$64.6 GHS 746

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$19.29 GHS 223

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

$83.0 GHS 958

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,625 GHS 111.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$24.46 GHS 282

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.21 GHS 280

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$45.56 GHS 526

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$61.8 GHS 714

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$118 GHS 1,364

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$65.8 GHS 760

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$136 GHS 1,575

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$9,960 GHS 115.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,047 GHS 69.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$414 GHS 4,777

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: July 12, 2026

Last update for Tema: July 13, 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 907% 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 $93.0 per month in Tamale and $937 in Tema. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $62.0 in Tamale and $624 in Tema. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 2386% 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 $62.0 in Tamale and $624 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.