Cost of Living in Ghana
for Expats 2026

Accra dominates the expat rental market, with furnished one-bedroom apartments in popular neighborhoods like East Legon, Airport Residential, and Osu ranging from $400–$800 monthly. Unfurnished apartments in the same areas rent for $300–$600, reflecting Ghana's lower property costs. Expat-friendly compounds in East Legon—the de facto expat hub with reliable utilities, security, and Western-style amenities—command premium prices of $800–$1,200 for a 2-3 bedroom home with backup generators and water tanks.

Ghana's dual-economy food market offers dramatic savings for expats willing to shop locally. A meal at a traditional chop bar or street-food stand—jollof rice, waakye (rice and beans), or grilled tilapia—costs $1–$3 per serving, making lunch or dinner incredibly affordable. Imported groceries from supermarkets like Shoprite, Maxmart, or Pick n Pay are 40–60% more expensive than local equivalents; a box of imported cereal or European chocolate may cost 2–3 times a US supermarket price.

Tro-tro minibuses (the backbone of Accra transport) charge flat rates of $0.20–$0.50 per ride depending on distance, making daily commuting extremely cheap. Uber and Bolt are available in Accra and operate at roughly 40–50% of US prices; a 5 km ride costs $2–$4 instead of $12–$16. Metered taxis exist but require negotiation; ride-hailing apps eliminate this friction. A monthly transport budget for urban commuting is $30–$60 using mix of tro-tro and occasional ride-hailing.

Ghana's public healthcare system is affordable but variable; private clinics and hospitals—preferred by expats—charge $20–$50 for a GP consultation, with diagnostics and medicines adding $30–$100. Major hospitals like Ridge Hospital (Accra) and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital serve both local and expat patients. International health clinics catering to expatriates like European Clinic and Euromedical offer higher-standard care at $50–$100+ per visit but provide English-speaking doctors and familiar protocols.