How Much Does It Cost to Live In Accra?
Accra is the capital city of Ghana and the important political, financial, commercial and industrial center.
When you come to this city, you will definitely be able to get a chocolate suntan on the sandy beach and see modern architecture during a walking tour.
Accra has motorways and railways, and silver and gold refinery is the most developed branch of industry.
A major trading port plays a leading role in the Accra economy.
Ghana : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
Time out in Accra can be spent with pleasure in one of the local restaurants and cafes.
You will find something special in the French, Italian and Asian eateries.
There definitely is a salad bar for green eaters and healthy food seekers.
The prices are very low.
MARKETS
Would you like some snails for dinner?
Accra has a few open-air markets in the main streets of the city where you will find these tiny creatures to later fry them and eat.
There is a great variety of low-cost yet high-quality vegetables, fruits, cocoa beans, green coconuts, and even ready-made foods in market cafes.
TRANSPORTATION
First and foremost, you should be very attentive in the streets since Accra has increased street crime, especially at night.
The best way to get around the city is by taxi.
The bus is cheaper but it does not always have a fixed route and stops, so you have to search for them elsewhere.
The cheapest way is tro-tro but you can get into a road accident or get pickpocketed.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
A few large companies that are managing electricity supply, water, and waste collection, are located in Accra, Ghana.
Some of the houses have gas and the others use electricity only.
The prices for the basic comforts are rather high in terms of the average salary.
The Internet is expensive too.
SPORTS & LEISURE
Accra gives you the opportunity to swim and surf, and do other water sports.
Besides, the whole of the country is in love with football so you can often see the young men playing football in the stadium.
You can watch a match in the central stadium that seats 40,000 spectators.
Among the other activities, there are golf, horse-riding, swimming pools, diving and fitness clubs.
CLOTHING & SHOES
When you go shopping in Accra, you should be ready to see a great variety of the most colorful clothes and shoes that you have ever seen in your life.
In every district of the city, you will find lots of stores with imported outwear and local manufacturers’ things.
The prices are 40-50% lower than in most of the same chain stores in the European countries.
RENT PER MONTH
Monthly rent in Accra is extremely high for the local people and depends a lot on the location of the apartment, utilities, and furniture.
While the price for one bedroom apartment outside the city center is $197.74, the same apartment in the downtown is rented out for $1051.41 per month.
You will have to have a good sweat to find a good home for a long time.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Accra
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $3.58 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.05 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.39 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.88 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $0.92 |
| Eggs (12) | $2.09 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $0.63 |
| Monthly Pass | $111.43 |
| Gasoline | $0.88 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $71.53 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.05 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $47.11 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $49.18 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $7.17 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $5.82 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $44.81 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $29.77 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $51.61 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $1051.41 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $197.74 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $2556.77 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Accra?
An average person spends most of the money on monthly rent, naturally.
There are no laws that could regulate the prices for living premises.
If you need accommodation in Accra for several months or years, you will have to search well to find a good price-quality ratio.
Markets are the second place where people in Accra leave a significant portion of their income.
Only 2.2% is spent on clothing and shoes, while 11.8% goes to transportation expenses.
Restaurants are mostly visited by tourists or temporary visitors to the city.
The percentage of 8.2% of the money spent in restaurants is relevantly high.
Nevertheless, it seems like an average person in Accra is more likely to enjoy sports and leisure time.
Judging by the statistics, they give 5.9% of the money on health and recreation, while monthly utility bills are covered by 4.6% of the earned.
Average Costs Breakdown
Accra: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
The national minimum wage or the sum of money that a worker without qualification or with little experience can earn is set at the level of $75.1 per month.
The average monthly net salary is $255.39 per employee.
Although the spread of salaries is uneven all over the country.
Your salary depends a lot on the branch of industry that you work in.
The longest working week is 40 hours and there are about eleven official holidays in Accra when people do not go to work.
A mortgage is only profitable when you are able to pay out the apartment at 27.60% per annum for 20 years.
That can be the reason why the rental prices are so high.
