When people talk about moving to Ghana, one of the first questions that comes up is: what’s the real cost of living in Ghana? I’ve been here for a while now, and I want to share my first-hand experience. From housing and utilities to food, transport, and even leisure, I’ll break it all down so you know exactly what to expect.
The short answer? Living in Ghana can be affordable, but it really depends on the lifestyle you choose. Live like a local and you’ll save a lot. Chase the comforts of the West and costs will add up quickly. For me, the first few months were expensive because I was just settling in and hadn’t yet figured out how to cut expenses. The good news is, with time you learn how to budget in a way that makes life here both affordable and comfortable—it’s all about your choices.
Housing
One thing that helped me was not having to pay rent. I was fortunate to have connections through a friend who provided a place for me to stay. That meant a huge chunk of my budget was saved.
However, if you’re planning to rent, prices vary a lot. In Accra, rent can be on the higher side, especially for apartments in central areas. Outside the city, you can find more affordable options. Many landlords also ask for one or two years’ rent upfront, which can be a big shock for first-timers.
So while I can’t give you my own rental numbers, I know that skipping this expense makes my monthly budget much lighter compared to the average newcomer.
Utilities and Internet
Utilities are part of everyday life costs, and they’re not too bad here. On average, I spend:
Electricity: about 200–250 cedis per month.
Water: around 100 cedis per month.
Occasionally, there are power cuts or low water pressure, but nothing too life-changing. You learn to adjust.
For internet, I use a package that costs about 400 cedis for 250 MB, which lasts me around three to three and a half months. It has worked well so far. Internet quality can vary, but in general, it’s stable enough for work and streaming if you plan your usage.
Food and Groceries
Food is where a big chunk of my spending goes. I shop mainly in local markets for items like yam, meat, tomatoes, and peppers. On average, I spend 400 cedis per week. That adds up to 1500–2000 cedis per month just on groceries.
I admit, I spend more than the average Ghanaian. I eat a lot of fruits, and sometimes I pay higher prices because I’m a foreigner. Imported items also cost much more, so sticking to local produce is key if you want to save money.
If you compare with the West, some fruits are similarly priced, but local staples like cassava, plantains, and maize are definitely cheaper.
Eating Out
Eating out is convenient, but it adds up quickly. A good meal at Accra Mall can cost me around 150 cedis, while a meal at a local restaurant in Afienya is about 100 cedis. Street food, on the other hand, is much cheaper. You can get something filling for 60 cedis or less, and a buffloat (a fried dough snack) costs just 4 cedis.
If you want to save on the cost of living in Ghana, embrace street food. It’s tasty, affordable, and part of the culture. Cooking at home is also a smart choice once you know how to shop locally.
Transportation
Getting around Ghana depends on whether you use public transport or private rides. Your mode of transportation will greatly influence your cost of living in Ghana depending on how you chose to get around.
Tro tros (shared minibuses): These are the cheapest, never more than 20 cedis for a ride one way.
Uber/Bolt: More expensive. For example, a ride from Afienya to Accra costs me about 150 cedis.
On average, I spend around 30 cedis daily on transport, though I don’t travel every day. I also walk a lot, which helps me explore the community and saves money.
Healthcare
So far, I haven’t had to visit a doctor, clinic, or pharmacy. But healthcare is available if you have money or insurance. Costs can vary depending on whether you go to a private or public facility. It’s always wise to budget something extra for health, even if you don’t use it right away.
Entertainment and Lifestyle
Living in Ghana isn’t just about survival — it’s about enjoying the culture and places.
I visited the Kwame Nkrumah Museum: 100 cedis for foreigners, 25 cedis for Ghanaians.
I went to the Shai Hills Reserve: about 100 cedis for an hour tour.
As for nightlife, I don’t go out much where I stay. But in Accra, the nightlife is very vibrant. If you enjoy bars, clubs, and parties, budget around 500 cedis per month for entertainment.
Hidden and Unexpected Costs
One thing to keep in mind is hidden costs. For example, I paid 300 cedis for a visa extension. It wasn’t a huge amount, but it’s something travelers often forget to budget for.
Another cost-saving tip: choose pure water (sold in small plastic sachets) over bottled water. A sachet costs about 10 cedis, while bottled water can cost 35 cedis for roughly the same quantity. If you’re comfortable with sachet water, it’s a huge savings.
The Lifestyle Factor
The biggest thing I’ve learned is this: the cost of living in Ghana depends heavily on your lifestyle.
If you live like a local, buying from markets, drinking sachet water, riding tro tros, and eating street food — your costs will be much lower.
If you live like a Westerner, relying on Uber, eating out at malls, and buying imported goods, your costs will be much higher.
For me, the balance is still a work in progress. But overall, I’d say my lifestyle costs are higher than they could be because I’m still adjusting.
Final Thoughts
So, what’s the real cost of living in Ghana? From my first-hand experience, I’d say:
Utilities: 300–350 cedis per month.
Food: 1500–2000 cedis per month (less if you cook like a local).
Transport: 30 cedis per day on average.
Entertainment: 100–500 cedis depending on your lifestyle.
Miscellaneous (like visas): 300 cedis or more.
Overall, the cost of living in Ghana can be much lower if you’re willing to adapt to local life. For me, it’s been a learning curve, but a rewarding one. Ghana gives you the option to live simply and affordably, or luxuriously at a higher cost. The choice is yours.
