Cost of Living in Ghana: Rent, Housing & Income

Ghana is one of West Africa's more stable economies, and Accra draws returning families, remote workers and company transfers. Prices there are not the same as in the rest of the country, and the averages below blend the capital with smaller towns. The amounts are crowd-sourced estimates from Numbeo and Livingcost, converted to US dollars. The Ghanaian cedi has moved a lot against the dollar in recent years, so a converted figure can age quickly.

They were last checked on Oct 13, 2026.

The World Bank's price level ratio for Ghana was 37.8 in 2025, with the U.S. at 100. At market exchange rates, the same basket of goods and services cost about 38% of its U.S. price.

GDP per capita, adjusted for purchasing power, was 8,610 international dollars in 2025 (U.S.: 90,027 international dollars in 2025). Consumer prices rose 14.2% in 2025 (U.S.: 2.9% in 2024).

Numbeo estimates $706.30/mo for a single person before rent and $2,607.80/mo for a family of four. Livingcost reports $459/mo without rent and $700/mo with it.

The sources differ by a wide margin on the rent-free total. Numbeo's figure is the higher one, which may reflect a basket that includes more imported items, though that is a guess about method and neither site says so.

The center-versus-outside gap is the among the widest in this series. A one-bedroom apartment in a city center is $255 – $1,200/mo, while outside the center it is $100 – $510/mo. The central range reaches $1,200/mo, which points to furnished, gated apartments aimed at foreigners and companies.

A three-bedroom is $510 – $2,500/mo in the center and $200 – $850/mo outside. Landlords sometimes ask for rent for a year or more in advance, so ask about payment terms before you commit. Confirming that in writing protects you.

Basic utilities for an 85 square meter apartment are $42.50 – $155/mo. Broadband is $29.75 – $85/mo and a mobile plan $12.75 – $25/mo. A monthly public transport pass is listed at $25.50 – $45.51/mo.

Electricity supply can be uneven, and some households pay for a generator or an inverter as well. Prepaid meters are common, so your bill depends on how much you load. Public transit is informal in many areas, with shared taxis and minibuses, so a pass may not match how people actually travel.

An inexpensive restaurant meal averages $6.80 each. A liter of milk is $3.28 each and a dozen large eggs $2.60 each.

Milk is expensive next to the meal price probably because much of it is imported or processed. Local produce and market food follow a different pattern, and your food bill will track how much of your diet is local.

Numbeo lists an average monthly net salary after tax of $245.55/mo.

That is far below the single-person total, which tells you that the budgets on this page describe a foreigner or returnee lifestyle and not the typical household. Anyone planning to earn a local salary should confirm what an actual employer offers and whether housing is included.

• Health insurance and emergency evacuation coverage.
• Visa, residence permit and work permit fees. Check the official Ghanaian immigration pages.
• Flights, shipping and furnishing.
• School tuition. International schools are a major cost for families.
• Taxes. Ask a licensed advisor about your situation.

Visit neighborhoods before you rent and look at road access, water supply and power reliability. A short first lease gives you time to learn the area. Ask the landlord what the rent covers and whether the building has security and backup power. Working with a local contact or an agent you trust can help you avoid listings that are priced for newcomers.

Because the gap between sources and between center and outside is so large, plan with ranges. Pick the rent you would realistically pay, add the monthly bills from the table, and keep a margin for generator fuel, water delivery and transport. Revisit the budget after your first full month.

The utility range of $42.50 – $155/mo assumes steady service. In practice, residents often pay extra for bottled or delivered water, generator fuel or a solar and battery setup. Ask the landlord who owns the backup system and who buys the fuel. Two apartments at the same rent can differ by a meaningful amount a month once these costs are added.