Last update: Oct 2026 Sierra Leone ⭐ Capital 951K

Cost of Living in Freetown

For one person, living costs in Freetown are estimated at $1,793 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than two thirds of the total. Other living expenses average about $16 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Freetown

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Freetown actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $1,793 per month with rent, or $480 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,793 /mo

A couple spends around $1,519 per month with rent, or $832 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,519 /mo

A family of three spends around $1,245 per month with rent, or $1,185 without housing.

$1,245 /mo

Overall, Freetown is 27–56% above the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are 98% above average – among the most expensive in the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.06 SLL 47.1K
$2.06 SLL 47.1K
$2.06 SLL 47.1K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.22 SLL 896.4K
$34.32 SLL 784.3K
$96.5 SLL 2.2M
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.95 SLL 250.3K
$9.96 SLL 227.5K
$11.95 SLL 273.0K
Cappuccino
$2.73 SLL 62.4K
$1.93 SLL 44.1K
$3.25 SLL 74.2K
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79 SLL 41.0K
$0.98 SLL 22.4K
$2.45 SLL 56.0K
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83 SLL 19.0K
$0.77 SLL 17.6K
$0.94 SLL 21.4K
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.18 SLL 49.9K
$1.46 SLL 33.3K
$3.18 SLL 72.7K
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.47 SLL 79.2K
$2.97 SLL 67.9K
$5.20 SLL 118.8K
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.47 SLL 56.3K
$2.04 SLL 46.6K
$2.89 SLL 66.1K
White Bread (500g)
$0.64 SLL 14.6K
$0.45 SLL 10.4K
$0.97 SLL 22.1K
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.27 SLL 29.0K
$0.87 SLL 19.9K
$1.96 SLL 44.7K
Eggs
$1.78 SLL 40.6K
$1.47 SLL 33.7K
$2.09 SLL 47.8K
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.21 SLL 164.7K
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.08 SLL 230.3K
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.16 SLL 117.9K
$3.44 SLL 78.6K
$6.88 SLL 157.2K
Apples (1kg)
$7.10 SLL 162.2K
$4.06 SLL 92.7K
$10.14 SLL 231.7K
Banana (1kg)
$3.07 SLL 70.0K
$2.04 SLL 46.7K
$4.09 SLL 93.4K
Oranges (1kg)
$0.73 SLL 16.7K
-
Tomato (1kg)
$5.05 SLL 115.5K
-
Potato (1kg)
$1.99 SLL 45.5K
-
Onion (1kg)
$1.60 SLL 36.5K
$1.24 SLL 28.2K
$1.96 SLL 44.8K
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.11 SLL 25.3K
$0.68 SLL 15.5K
$1.94 SLL 44.4K
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.93 SLL 66.9K
-
Wine (Bottle)
$8.07 SLL 184.5K
$7.16 SLL 163.5K
$15.14 SLL 346.0K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.58 SLL 36.0K
$1.01 SLL 23.1K
$2.29 SLL 52.4K
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 SLL 46.3K
$1.84 SLL 42.1K
$2.18 SLL 49.9K
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.41 SLL 9,405
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.49 SLL 11.1K
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.48 SLL 11.1K
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.30 SLL 29.8K
$1.27 SLL 29.1K
$1.76 SLL 40.3K
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$12.1K SLL 276.8M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.6K SLL 561.1M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$59.8 SLL 1.4M
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.02 SLL 229.0K
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$55.8 SLL 1.3M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$10.05 SLL 229.6K
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$20.11 SLL 459.5K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$49.40 SLL 1.1M
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$919 SLL 21.0M
$594 SLL 13.6M
$1,188 SLL 27.2M
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,254 SLL 28.7M
$879 SLL 20.1M
$1,987 SLL 45.4M
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,434 SLL 78.5M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,307 SLL 29.9M
-

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

Last update: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Freetown $1,793
Accommodation & Living
$1.3K
Groceries & Markets
$263 *
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$126
Eating Out
$110
Clothing & Footwear
$36 *
Getting Around
$4.6 *

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $919, dropping to $1,254 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 70% of the average salary ($1,307) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $1,307 – below monthly costs of $1,793. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $263 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $39.00 – 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

Freetown has the 6th most expensive overall monthly cost (including rent) in Africa

Good to know
🕒 Local time
20:58 8:58 PM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
951,000 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to SLL – Sierra Leonean Leone Converter

Sierra Leonean Leone exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 22,852 SLL (100,000 SLL = 4.38 USD). 1 EUR = 25,691 SLL (100,000 SLL = 3.89 EUR).

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Freetown Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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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 $1,793. 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 $1,793, 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 $1,307, while comfortable living starts around $2,690. With total costs hitting $1,793 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 $1,254 and $919 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 $263 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 $263 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 $1,793 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 $1,793 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 $1,793, 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 $1,793, 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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