Cost of Living in Freetown - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,677 per month with rent, or $385 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $1,388 per month with rent, or $717 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $1,098 per month with rent, or $1,050 without housing.

Overall, Freetown is 22–63% above the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are 77% above average – among the most expensive in the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.94 SLL 44.3K
$1.94 SLL 44.3K
$4.85 SLL 110.7K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$40.09 SLL 914.5K
$35.08 SLL 800.1K
$98.6 SLL 2.2M
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.85 SLL 179.1K
$5.83 SLL 132.9K
$9.88 SLL 225.3K
Cappuccino
$2.43 SLL 55.4K
$1.01 SLL 23.0K
$3.30 SLL 75.4K
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29 SLL 29.5K
$0.91 SLL 20.7K
$1.97 SLL 45.0K
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88 SLL 20.0K
$0.82 SLL 18.6K
$0.99 SLL 22.6K
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.70 SLL 38.9K
$0.97 SLL 22.2K
$3.19 SLL 72.8K
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98 SLL 68.1K
$2.72 SLL 62.0K
$5.22 SLL 119.1K
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.38 SLL 54.3K
$1.97 SLL 44.9K
$2.79 SLL 63.7K
White Bread (500g)
$0.64 SLL 14.6K
$0.46 SLL 10.4K
$0.97 SLL 22.1K
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.27 SLL 28.9K
$0.87 SLL 19.8K
$1.95 SLL 44.5K
Eggs
$1.84 SLL 42.1K
$1.53 SLL 34.9K
$2.17 SLL 49.5K
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.97 SLL 158.9K
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.12 SLL 231.0K
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.26 SLL 120.0K
$3.51 SLL 80.0K
$7.01 SLL 160.0K
Apples (1kg)
$4.02 SLL 91.6K
-
Banana (1kg)
$1.95 SLL 44.6K
-
Oranges (1kg)
$0.68 SLL 15.6K
-
Tomato (1kg)
$4.86 SLL 110.9K
-
Potato (1kg)
$2.02 SLL 46.2K
-
Onion (1kg)
$1.61 SLL 36.8K
$1.25 SLL 28.4K
$1.98 SLL 45.1K
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.32 SLL 30.1K
$0.69 SLL 15.8K
$1.96 SLL 44.6K
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.09 SLL 70.5K
-
Wine (Bottle)
$7.49 SLL 170.9K
$7.04 SLL 160.7K
$7.95 SLL 181.3K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23 SLL 28.1K
$1.02 SLL 23.2K
$1.44 SLL 32.9K
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 SLL 46.2K
$1.97 SLL 44.9K
$2.09 SLL 47.8K
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.45 SLL 10.3K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.52 SLL 11.9K
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.49 SLL 11.1K
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.26 SLL 28.8K
$1.26 SLL 28.8K
$1.38 SLL 31.5K
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$12.1K SLL 276.0M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.4K SLL 579.9M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$59.2 SLL 1.3M
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.96 SLL 227.2K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$10.18 SLL 232.1K
$10.18 SLL 232.1K
$10.18 SLL 232.1K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$8.18 SLL 186.7K
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$20.21 SLL 461.0K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$49.12 SLL 1.1M
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$947 SLL 21.6M
$612 SLL 14.0M
$1,224 SLL 27.9M
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,249 SLL 28.5M
$876 SLL 20.0M
$1,979 SLL 45.1M
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,540 SLL 80.8M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,310 SLL 29.9M
-

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

Last update: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $947, dropping to $1,249 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 72% of the average salary ($1,310) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $1,310 – below monthly costs of $1,677. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $239 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $40.00 – broadly in line with the African average.

Cost Highlights

Freetown has the 2nd most expensive 1-bedroom apartment, outside city center in Africa

Freetown has the 3rd most expensive 3-bedroom apartment, city center in Africa

Overall monthly cost (including rent) is more expensive than 98% of cities in Africa

Freetown Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Freetown - Frequently Asked Questions
How does affordability vary for travelers, expats, and digital nomads in Freetown?
Cost of Living in Freetown varies by neighborhood and lifestyle. In general, you’ll find that housing and short-term stays cluster in central and waterfront areas, which can feel pricier, while outer districts offer more breathing room for longer stays and local markets stretch your budget in sensible ways. Dining ranges from affordable street foods to cafes serving international fare, giving you flexible options depending on how often you cook or eat out. Compare the pace, services, and accessibility to decide where you fit best. Tip: Plan a few days in different areas to test daily rhythms.
What does daily life look like in Freetown for housing, food, transport, and errands?
Freetown living cost is felt most in housing choices and daily groceries, with options ranging from simple, affordable accommodations to more polished short-term rentals near the harbor. You’ll find markets and street stalls delivering fresh produce, fish, and staples, allowing you to keep meals flexible. For getting around, shared taxis, private taxis, and motorcycle-taxi options offer quick hops between neighborhoods. Co-working spaces and cafes provide reliable work zones for digital nomads. Plan errands by grouping trips to save time, and learn a few local phrases to smooth negotiations. Tip: Build a weekly route and combine tasks to minimize back-and-forth.
Which neighborhoods fit best for quality of life and long stays, and what budgeting approach helps manage costs across the year?
To balance quality of life with value, consider staying near the West End or central neighborhoods for easy access to markets and work hubs, while the eastern or suburban pockets can offer quieter streets and more breathing room. Use a simple budgeting framework like a monthly needs map: housing, food, transport, and activities; then track discretionary spends against your baseline. Seasonal shifts, like rain or humidity, can affect transport and outdoor routines, so have a flexible plan for activities and gear. Tip: Build a rotating list of affordable restaurants and free local events to keep costs predictable.
Is the cost of living in Freetown reasonable?
Freetown is mid-range – monthly costs with rent reach about $1,677. For most residents, that's a fair trade: urban amenities, services, and job access without major-hub prices.
Is Freetown affordable on an average income?
Freetown sits squarely in the middle of the price spectrum – not cheap, not expensive. Monthly costs with rent tend to hover around $1,677, which most working professionals can handle without feeling financially squeezed.
How does the average salary in Freetown compare to the cost of living?
The average net salary in Freetown is about $1,310, while comfortable living starts around $2,516. With total costs hitting $1,677 monthly, saving is possible if you earn above average – but it takes intentional budgeting.
Are apartments reasonably priced in Freetown?
Rent in Freetown is middle-of-the-road – 1-bedroom apartments fall between $1,249 and $947 per month. Not cheap, not outrageous, with reasonable options across most neighborhoods.
What should I budget for groceries in Freetown?
Grocery spending in Freetown lands around $239 per month for one person – not cheap, not expensive. Local produce and staples are fairly priced, though imported goods and specialty items cost more. Overall, food is a manageable part of the budget.
Is food shopping expensive in Freetown?
Groceries in Freetown run about $239 monthly for one person – a moderate figure that matches the city's overall cost level. Local markets and supermarkets cover most needs, and food costs are manageable without strict budgeting.
Does $3,000 cover living expenses in Freetown?
$3,000 is below the $1,677 average in Freetown, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
What is expat life like in Freetown?
Freetown has an established expat community and is welcoming to foreigners. vibrant nightlife, coastal lifestyle, beach access smooth the transition, and English-speaking landlords, expat-focused healthcare, and international services are all reasonably accessible. Monthly costs average $1,677 including housing.
Is Freetown affordable for the average person?
Freetown is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,677, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.
Can budget travelers get by in Freetown?
Freetown is doable for backpackers, though it takes more planning than cheaper destinations. Monthly costs average $1,677, so daily spending is moderate. Hostels, local food, and public transport keep things in check, but attractions and nightlife can push costs up.

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