📌Living costs for one person come to about $1,049 monthly including rent, or $650 excluding housing.
📌Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,501 with rent, or $1,126 without housing.
📌Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,954 including rent, or $1,602 for daily expenses alone.
📊Lome sits 21–31% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are slightly above average (4%) – still relatively affordable for the region.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$14.1KF CFA 8.1M
$14.1KF CFA 8.1M
$14.1KF CFA 8.1M
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8KF CFA 14.8M
$21.1KF CFA 12.1M
$35.2KF CFA 20.2M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$178F CFA 102.4K
$126F CFA 72.3K
$229F CFA 131.7K
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.67F CFA 12.4K
$12.14F CFA 6,970
$24.28F CFA 13.9K
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$43.41F CFA 24.9K
$26.05F CFA 15.0K
$52.1F CFA 29.9K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.00F CFA 28.1K
$17.34F CFA 9,956
$86.7F CFA 49.8K
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.73F CFA 5,013
$8.73F CFA 5,013
$8.73F CFA 5,013
Cinema Ticket
$4.29F CFA 2,465
$3.44F CFA 1,973
$8.59F CFA 4,930
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$173F CFA 99.3K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,151F CFA 3.0M
$3,512F CFA 2.0M
$8,429F CFA 4.8M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.78F CFA 14.2K
$14.15F CFA 8,126
$35.40F CFA 20.3K
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.41F CFA 15.7K
$10.61F CFA 6,094
$44.21F CFA 25.4K
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$40.82F CFA 23.4K
$20.84F CFA 12.0K
$60.8F CFA 34.9K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$96.1F CFA 55.2K
$32.04F CFA 18.4K
$160F CFA 92.0K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$363F CFA 208.6K
$123F CFA 70.6K
$527F CFA 302.7K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$221F CFA 126.6K
$79.4F CFA 45.6K
$318F CFA 182.4K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$757F CFA 434.6K
$372F CFA 213.4K
$1,062F CFA 610.0K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$302F CFA 173.4K
$213F CFA 122.4K
$444F CFA 255.0K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$261F CFA 149.9K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $363 for a central one-bedroom, or $221 outside the center. At 139% of the average salary ($261), housing is the biggest financial pressure.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $261, while typical expenses reach $1,049. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.
🛒Expect to spend about $250 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $32.00 for two – well below the African average of $42.00.
🚌Public transport is priced at around $53.9 per month – above the African average of $29.00.
Cost Highlights
⭐Lome has the 6th most expensive cappuccino in Africa
⭐Public transport monthly pass is more expensive than 95% of cities in Africa
⭐Milk is more expensive than 94% of cities in Africa
Lome Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)
Mobile
Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
Fixed Broadband
Download
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Upload
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Latency
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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
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.
Is Lome worth the cost of living?
At around $1,049 monthly all-in, Lome offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.
Is Lome expensive to live in?
Everyday life in Lome is moderately priced at about $1,049 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.
Can you save money on an average salary in Lome?
At $261 take-home, most residents in Lome can cover the $1,049 monthly cost of living. Those earning $1,574 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
What are typical rents in Lome?
Where you live in Lome makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $363; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $221. Overall, the market runs from $221 to $363 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How expensive is a gym membership in Lome?
A regular gym membership in Lome costs around $49.00 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.
What is a typical grocery budget in Lome?
Expect to spend around $250 per month on groceries in Lome. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.
Can a person live on $1,000 monthly in Lome?
Living on $1,000 in Lome means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,049. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
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 $1,049 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 $1,049, so putting money aside takes more than $1,574 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?
Budget travel in Lome works but takes effort. Hostels, street food, and local restaurants keep daily costs reasonable. All-in monthly expenses run about $1,049 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.