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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $146 per month in Tamale vs $773 in Tema, rent included.

A couple spends around $220 per month in Tamale vs $1,223 in Tema, rent included.

A family of three spends $294 per month in Tamale vs $1,673 in Tema, rent included.

Tamale is about 81% cheaper than Tema, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Tamale and Tema are more affordable than the global median – Tamale 89% lower, Tema 44% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.62 GHS 40.85

$7.17 GHS 81.0

-49.51%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.28 GHS 320

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.87 GHS 123

Cappuccino

$5.21 GHS 58.9

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

$0.86 GHS 9.71

$0.92 GHS 10.34

-6.52%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.42 GHS 4.73

$0.31 GHS 3.52

35.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.91 GHS 10.23

$3.42 GHS 38.62

-73.39%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.35 GHS 15.23

$2.72 GHS 30.68

-50.37%

Milk (1 liter)

$3.09 GHS 34.97

$3.40 GHS 38.44

-9.12%

White Bread (500g)

$1.70 GHS 19.24

$1.65 GHS 18.69

3.03%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.84 GHS 43.36

$2.12 GHS 23.99

81.13%

Eggs

$2.44 GHS 27.57

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.52 GHS 51.1

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.31 GHS 37.35

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.49 GHS 39.39

Apples (1kg)

$2.60 GHS 29.38

Banana (1kg)

$2.25 GHS 25.42

Oranges (1kg)

$2.24 GHS 25.26

Tomato (1kg)

$3.59 GHS 40.57

Potato (1kg)

$3.62 GHS 40.93

Onion (1kg)

$2.93 GHS 33.05

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.42 GHS 4.79

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.74 GHS 8.37

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.31 GHS 14.76

Wine (Bottle)

$8.77 GHS 99.1

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.31 GHS 14.85

$2.28 GHS 25.78

-42.54%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.19 GHS 36.01

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 GHS 10.19

$1.75 GHS 19.79

-48.57%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$43.36 GHS 490

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.26 GHS 25.57

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.42 GHS 4.78

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 GHS 13.16

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

$80.8 GHS 913

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

$15.84 GHS 179

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$85.2 GHS 963

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$24.86 GHS 281

Cinema Ticket

$8.86 GHS 100

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

$177 GHS 2,005

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,010 GHS 101.8K

$2,686 GHS 30.4K

235.43%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.47 GHS 152

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$16.06 GHS 181

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$44.07 GHS 498

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$32.93 GHS 372

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$135 GHS 1,531

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$73.4 GHS 829

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$441 GHS 4,988

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$219 GHS 2,471

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$9,991 GHS 112.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,102 GHS 69.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$429 GHS 4,847

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Tamale: August 29, 2026

Last update for Tema: August 30, 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 431% 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 $218 per month in Tamale and $1,160 in Tema. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $146 in Tamale and $773 in Tema. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 222% 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 $146 in Tamale and $773 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.