For one person, living costs in Monrovia are estimated at $1,286 a month, including rent and utilities, which take less than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $34 a day.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Monrovia actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Living costs for one person come to about $1,286 monthly including rent, or $1,044 excluding housing.
$1,286 /mo
Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,903 with rent, or $1,574 without housing.
$1,903 /mo
Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,519 including rent, or $2,104 for daily expenses alone.
$2,519 /mo
📊
Monrovia sits 5–11% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are 42% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.9KLRD 3.4M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.1KLRD 2.6M
$10.1KLRD 1.7M
$20.2KLRD 3.4M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148LRD 25.2K
$100LRD 17.0K
$196LRD 33.3K
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.11LRD 3,754
$14.74LRD 2,502
$29.48LRD 5,005
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$181LRD 30.8K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$63.1LRD 10.7K
$50.5LRD 8,574
$75.8LRD 12.9K
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.16LRD 1,724
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.13LRD 871
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$100LRD 17.0K
$50.0LRD 8,493
$150LRD 25.5K
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$989LRD 167.9K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.91LRD 4,228
$19.93LRD 3,382
$29.89LRD 5,073
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.76LRD 5,560
$20.16LRD 3,422
$45.36LRD 7,699
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$55.1LRD 9,348
$50.1LRD 8,498
$60.1LRD 10.2K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$93.5LRD 15.9K
$60.6LRD 10.3K
$126LRD 21.4K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$253LRD 43.0K
$203LRD 34.4K
$304LRD 51.6K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$93.5LRD 15.9K
$83.6LRD 14.2K
$98.4LRD 16.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$639LRD 108.4K
$393LRD 66.7K
$884LRD 150.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$267LRD 45.4K
$150LRD 25.5K
$401LRD 68.1K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$689LRD 117.0K
-
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.
Monrovia$1,286
Monrovia$2,519
🛒Groceries & Markets
$458 35.6%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$352 27.4%
🍽Eating Out
$173 13.5%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$93 7.3%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$93 7.2%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$73 5.7%
🚌Getting Around
$44 3.4%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$1.1K 43.2%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$374 14.8%
🍽Eating Out
$335 * 13.3%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$267 10.6%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$206 8.2%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$157 6.2%
🚌Getting Around
$93 3.7%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $253 for a central one-bedroom, or $93.5 outside the center. At 37% of the average salary ($689), housing leaves real financial breathing room.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $689, while typical expenses reach $1,286. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.
🚌Public transport is priced at around $20.29 per month – among the cheapest in Africa (average $30.00).
Cost Highlights
⭐Monrovia has the most expensive rice in Africa
⭐Monrovia has the 5th most expensive monthly cost (excluding rent) in Africa
⭐Monrovia has the 9th most expensive fast food meal in Africa
English is commonly used in services, signage, and daily life
Cost of Living in Monrovia - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Monrovia stack up for overall affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Monrovia offers an approachable balance for travelers and expats. If you measure value by access to services, climate, and a cosmopolitan vibe, Cost of Living in Monrovia sits in a mid-range spot for the region. Local markets yield affordable meals, while foreign-inspired amenities can push expenses higher in center districts. Housing tends to follow safety and access to essential amenities, with options ranging from simple rooms to more modern flats. Practical budgeting comes from prioritizing locally sourced goods, choosing modest lodging, and using public transit or shared rides when available. Tip: Map your priorities and test a couple of neighborhoods before committing.
What does daily life look like for housing search, food options, transport, and coworking in Monrovia?
When you search daily, focus on neighborhoods that balance safety with access to markets, a short commute, and reliable power. For housing, consider mid-range blocks near commercial corridors rather than luxury towers; many options are walkable to groceries and cafes. Food choices range from bustling markets with fresh produce to affordable eateries and expatriate-friendly spots. Transport leans toward taxis or ride-hailing when available, with walking as a frequent option for short hops. Co-working spaces exist in business districts and tech hubs, offering flexible plans. Monrovia living cost can shift with seasonality and demand, so track your expenses as you go. Tip: pair a weekly plan with a short trial stay in a neighborhood.
What budgeting framework and seasonal patterns help you maximize quality of life and neighborhood fit in Monrovia?
Adopt a simple budgeting framework: separate fixed essentials (shelter, food) from flexible expenses (entertainment, travel). Build a month-long plan that matches your energy and work needs, then adjust by season; the dry season can bring cooler evenings and busier social calendars, while the rainy season affects transport and outdoor plans. To maximize value, mix neighborhoods: anchor with a primary area for work and groceries, and keep a secondary spot for weekend exploration. Embrace gradual housing searches, because availability shifts and short-term stays let you sample safety, conveniences, and community vibes. Tip: set a flexible target for meals and transport, and keep a list of preferred coworking spots and routes.
What is the average cost of living in Monrovia in 2026?
As of 2026, monthly living costs in Monrovia come to around $1,286 including rent, or roughly $1,044 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.
Is Monrovia worth the cost of living?
At around $1,286 monthly all-in, Monrovia 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.
What is the average salary in Monrovia?
The typical net salary in Monrovia lands around $689 monthly. Some sectors pay significantly more, but this number gives you a realistic sense of what most full-time workers earn and how far it stretches against local costs.
What are typical rents in Monrovia?
Where you live in Monrovia makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $253; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $93.5. Overall, the market runs from $93.5 to $253 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How expensive is a gym membership in Monrovia?
A regular gym membership in Monrovia costs around $63.1 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 Monrovia?
Expect to spend around $458 per month on groceries in Monrovia. 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 Monrovia?
Living on $1,000 in Monrovia means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,286. 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 Monrovia?
Monrovia offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value coastal lifestyle, beach access, great local cuisine, and at around $1,286 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 Monrovia?
Monthly expenses in Monrovia run around $1,286, so putting money aside takes more than $1,929 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
Is Monrovia good for backpackers?
Budget travel in Monrovia works but takes effort. Hostels, street food, and local restaurants keep daily costs reasonable. All-in monthly expenses run about $1,286 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.