Tema, a prominent city in Ghana, is known for its bustling port and industrial activities. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone planning to move or invest in the area.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Tema, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $3.74 on average.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $31.21.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $4.06.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer averages $0.75, imported beer $1.37, cappuccino $0.75, and Coke/Pepsi $0.62.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced at $1.37 per liter.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.94 and $1.12, with an average price of $1.03.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs average $1.25.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.56 per kg, while oranges are $1.25 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced at $0.94 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.31 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs $1.25.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced at $0.75 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $0.37, with a cost of $0.37 per km.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $93.62.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $53.05.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment outside the centre averages $109.22.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment average $18.72.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $24.96 to $56.17, with an average cost of $40.57.

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for Ghana are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Ghana, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 5 user contributions, as of the most recent update in March, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$3.74
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$31.21
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$4.06
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.75
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.37
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.62
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.19
Cappuccino (regular)
$0.75
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.37
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$1.03
Eggs (regular) (12)
$1.25
Local Cheese (1kg)
$1.87
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.44
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$4.06
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.44
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$1.69
Apples (1kg)
$1.56
Oranges (1kg)
$1.25
Potato (1kg)
$0.94
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.31
Rice (white), (1kg)
$0.62
Tomato (1kg)
$1.25
Banana (1kg)
$1.25
Onion (1kg)
$0.94
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$1.25
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$1.25
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.75
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.37
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$0.37
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$93.62
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$53.05
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$109.22
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$18.72
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$40.57
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$9.36
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.72
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$12.48
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$24.96
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$43.69
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$216.72
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
25%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$93.62
Tema Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Tema offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many global cities, with low housing and dining costs.

Transportation and utilities are also reasonably priced, making it a budget-friendly option for residents.

To save money, consider living outside the city centre where rent is significantly lower.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Tema presents an attractive option for those seeking affordable living in Ghana. With low costs in housing, dining, and transportation, it is well-suited for both locals and expatriates.

Potential residents should weigh these factors when considering a move to Tema, ensuring they can enjoy the city's amenities without breaking the bank.