For one person, living costs in Lome are estimated at $563 a month, including rent and utilities – 17% below the national average. Rent and utilities take less than a third of the total.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Lome actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Living costs for one person come to about $563 monthly including rent, or $416 excluding housing.
$563 /mo
Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $992 with rent, or $700 without housing.
$992 /mo
Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,422 including rent, or $985 for daily expenses alone.
$1,422 /mo
📊
Lome sits 50–58% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are well below average (38% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$147F CFA 85.8K
$122F CFA 70.9K
$173F CFA 100.7K
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.43F CFA 12.5K
$12.08F CFA 7,043
$24.00F CFA 14.0K
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$42.93F CFA 25.0K
$25.76F CFA 15.0K
$51.5F CFA 30.0K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$59.2F CFA 34.5K
$33.49F CFA 19.5K
$83.7F CFA 48.8K
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.47F CFA 4,942
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.35F CFA 2,537
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,184F CFA 690.4K
$1,015F CFA 591.8K
$1,522F CFA 887.6K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$290F CFA 168.9K
$204F CFA 119.0K
$425F CFA 247.9K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$293F CFA 170.9K
-
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.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Lome$563
Lome$1,422
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$212 37.6%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$140 * 24.9%
🍽Eating Out
$138 24.5%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$68 12.1%
🚌Getting Around
$5.8 * 1%
🏠Accommodation & Living
- * 0%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$233 16.4%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$327 * 23%
🍽Eating Out
$416 29.3%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$144 10.1%
🚌Getting Around
$12 * 0.8%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$290 20.4%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
Cost Breakdown
💰Average take-home pay sits at $293, while typical expenses reach $563. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.
🛒Expect to spend about $140 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $30.00 for two – well below the African average of $41.00.
Cost Highlights
⭐Lome has the 5th most expensive cappuccino in Africa
⭐Gym membership is more expensive than 94% of cities in Africa
⭐Local beer is cheaper than 92% of cities in Africa
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
French is commonly spoken or the national language
Cost of Living in Lome - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lome affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to other West African cities?
Overall, Lome offers a compelling mix of value and city life for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You’ll find everything from budget guesthouses to mid-range apartments in livelier neighborhoods, with markets and street food keeping daily costs reasonable. Cost of Living in Lome is often described as moderate for a capital city by the gulf of Guinea, especially if you blend local meals with occasional western staples and shop around for utilities or coworking spaces. The city’s rhythm is relaxed by day and lively by night, and transport options keep trips affordable if you plan ahead. Tip: Test a few neighborhoods on short stays before committing long term.
What does daily life look like in Lome in terms of housing search, food options, transport, coworking spaces, and errands?
Daily life blends warm market days with a compact urban core. In housing terms, many newcomers start in modest apartment blocks in Plateau or nearby neighborhoods, then widen search to include shared flats or longer-term rentals in quieter streets. Food options range from street stalls to small family-run cafés, with fresh produce at markets shaping the budget more than brands. For transport, motos and shared taxis move you quickly, while walking remains practical in central areas. Co-working spaces vary by vibe and price, and errands typically flow through the same markets you shop. Lome living cost considerations guide your move. Tip: Map a month-by-month budget.
How can you budget effectively for quality of life in Lome, including seasonal changes, neighborhood fit, and savings strategies?
Quality of life in Lome scales with neighborhood fit and a practical budgeting framework. If you favor proximity to the coast and nightlife, look at central districts, but expect a livelier pace and slightly higher rent than inland areas. A simple budgeting framework helps you compare housing, food, and transport across months: set a weekly food plan, cap dining out, and factor in shared workspace if you work remotely. Seasonality matters for outdoor plans and market crowds; plan for rainy days with indoor activities and flexible transport options. Build a neighborhood trial into your first month to see commute times, noise, and safety. Tip: use a simple envelope budget and renegotiate when leases end.
Why is Lome considered affordable?
Compared to most cities worldwide, Lome is just cheap – all-in costs average $563 monthly. Both housing and daily necessities sit below the international median, which explains its popularity with budget travelers, nomads, and locals on modest incomes.
Is Lome expensive to live in?
Your money goes further in Lome than in most cities its size. Expect to spend roughly $563 per month with housing included – groceries, transport, and eating out are all priced well below what you'd pay in comparable urban centers.
Can you save money on an average salary in Lome?
At $293 take-home, most residents in Lome can cover the $563 monthly cost of living. Those earning $845 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
Is food expensive in Lome?
Groceries in Lome cost around $140 monthly – well below what you'd pay in most cities. Fresh produce, staples, and locally made goods are all well-priced, so eating well on a budget is straightforward here.
How expensive is a gym membership in Lome?
Fitness in Lome is cheap at around $59.2 monthly for a standard gym. It's one of the lighter items in the budget, making it easy to stay active without worrying about the cost.
Can you live on $800 a month in Lome?
$800 stretches far in Lome – all-in monthly costs average only $563. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
What is quality of life like in Lome?
Lome offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value vibrant nightlife, coastal lifestyle, beach access, and at around $563 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.
Can you save money living in Lome?
Monthly expenses in Lome run around $563, so putting money aside takes more than $845 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
Is Lome good for backpackers on a budget?
Budget travelers love Lome – low prices across accommodation, food, and transport make it one of the most backpacker-friendly cities around. Long-stay costs come to just $563 monthly; short-term visitors can get by on even less with hostels and local food.