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

Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

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

Tema costs about 431% more than Tamale, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.17 GHS 81.0

$3.62 GHS 40.85

98.07%

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)

$0.92 GHS 10.34

$0.86 GHS 9.71

6.98%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 GHS 3.52

$0.42 GHS 4.73

-26.19%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.42 GHS 38.62

$0.91 GHS 10.23

275.82%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.72 GHS 30.68

$1.35 GHS 15.23

101.48%

Milk (1 liter)

$3.40 GHS 38.44

$3.09 GHS 34.97

10.03%

White Bread (500g)

$1.65 GHS 18.69

$1.70 GHS 19.24

-2.94%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.12 GHS 23.99

$3.84 GHS 43.36

-44.79%

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)

$2.28 GHS 25.78

$1.31 GHS 14.85

74.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.19 GHS 36.01

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.75 GHS 19.79

$0.90 GHS 10.19

94.44%

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)

$2,686 GHS 30.4K

$9,010 GHS 101.8K

-70.19%

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 Tema: August 30, 2026

Last update for Tamale: August 29, 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

Tema vs Tamale: 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 $1,160 per month in Tema and $218 in Tamale. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $773 in Tema and $146 in Tamale. 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 $773 in Tema and $146 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, Tema makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.