Cost of Living in Freetown - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,718 per month with rent, or $386 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $1,408 per month with rent, or $779 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $1,098 per month with rent, or $1,173 without housing.

Overall, Freetown is 27–62% above the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are 87% above average – among the most expensive in the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.05 SLL 46.7K
$2.05 SLL 46.7K
$5.12 SLL 116.8K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$40.07 SLL 913.4K
$35.06 SLL 799.2K
$98.6 SLL 2.2M
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.89 SLL 179.8K
$5.85 SLL 133.5K
$9.92 SLL 226.2K
Cappuccino
$2.43 SLL 55.4K
$1.01 SLL 23.0K
$3.31 SLL 75.4K
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.32 SLL 30.2K
$0.93 SLL 21.2K
$2.02 SLL 46.1K
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83 SLL 18.9K
$0.77 SLL 17.6K
$0.94 SLL 21.4K
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.72 SLL 39.2K
$0.98 SLL 22.4K
$3.22 SLL 73.4K
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01 SLL 68.7K
$2.74 SLL 62.5K
$5.28 SLL 120.3K
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.39 SLL 54.6K
$1.98 SLL 45.1K
$2.81 SLL 64.0K
White Bread (500g)
$0.64 SLL 14.5K
$0.45 SLL 10.3K
$0.96 SLL 22.0K
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.32 SLL 30.1K
$0.91 SLL 20.6K
$2.03 SLL 46.4K
Eggs
$1.79 SLL 40.7K
$1.48 SLL 33.7K
$2.10 SLL 47.9K
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.19 SLL 163.9K
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.95 SLL 226.8K
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.29 SLL 120.6K
$3.53 SLL 80.4K
$7.05 SLL 160.8K
Apples (1kg)
$4.07 SLL 92.7K
-
Banana (1kg)
$2.04 SLL 46.4K
-
Oranges (1kg)
$0.73 SLL 16.6K
-
Tomato (1kg)
$4.97 SLL 113.4K
-
Potato (1kg)
$1.98 SLL 45.2K
-
Onion (1kg)
$1.65 SLL 37.7K
$1.28 SLL 29.1K
$2.03 SLL 46.2K
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.38 SLL 31.5K
$0.73 SLL 16.6K
$2.05 SLL 46.7K
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.93 SLL 66.7K
-
Wine (Bottle)
$7.62 SLL 173.7K
$7.17 SLL 163.4K
$8.09 SLL 184.3K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 SLL 28.3K
$1.02 SLL 23.4K
$1.46 SLL 33.2K
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11 SLL 48.2K
$2.05 SLL 46.8K
$2.19 SLL 49.8K
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.41 SLL 9,363
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.52 SLL 11.9K
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.52 SLL 11.8K
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.33 SLL 30.3K
$1.33 SLL 30.3K
$1.45 SLL 33.1K
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.9K SLL 272.1M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.9K SLL 566.7M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$61.0 SLL 1.4M
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.08 SLL 229.7K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$10.16 SLL 231.7K
$10.16 SLL 231.7K
$10.16 SLL 231.7K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$8.03 SLL 183.0K
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$20.07 SLL 457.5K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$49.44 SLL 1.1M
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$944 SLL 21.5M
$610 SLL 13.9M
$1,220 SLL 27.8M
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,263 SLL 28.8M
$886 SLL 20.2M
$2,003 SLL 45.7M
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,543 SLL 80.8M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,320 SLL 30.1M
-

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

Last update: August 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $944, dropping to $1,263 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 71% of the average salary ($1,320) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $1,320 – below monthly costs of $1,718. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $242 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

Freetown has the 9th most expensive overall monthly cost (including rent) in Africa

Freetown Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
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 $1,718. 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 $1,718, 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 $1,320, while comfortable living starts around $2,577. With total costs hitting $1,718 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 $1,263 and $944 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 $242 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 $242 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 $1,718 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 $1,718 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 $1,718, 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 $1,718, 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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