The Real Cost of Living in Accra — Beyond Rent

When people talk about the cost of living in Accra, they often talk about rent first. But rent is only part of the story. The real cost of living in Accra is a combination of rising food prices, inconsistent transport fares, utility increases, and the pressure to keep up with a certain lifestyle. For many residents, the city is becoming unaffordable—not because of rent alone, but because everything else keeps getting more expensive.

The Big Picture: Inflation and the Cost of Everything

Accra is now the eighth most expensive city in Africa, according to Numbeo’s 2026 Cost of Living Index . The city’s cost of living index of 36.6 puts it ahead of several North and East African capitals. For the average Accra resident, this is not abstract data. It means that every day, the cost of getting by is rising.

In April 2026, Ghana’s year-on-year inflation rose to 3.4% . The items driving inflation are exactly what ordinary people buy every day: charcoal, river fish, smoked herrings, green plantain, ginger, and cooked rice . Greater Accra alone contributed 37.3% to the national inflation figure .

The result is a city where many workers are being priced out. As one Accra resident put it in a viral social media post: “I love living in Accra, but the prices here are starting to look crazy. Even simple weekend activities are becoming more expensive. But the average salary here does not match those prices” .

For a single person in Accra, monthly costs excluding rent are roughly £501 (about GH¢7,600) . For a family of four, the figure is £1,821 . But these are averages. For many, the reality is higher.

The Hidden Weight of Food Prices

The Channel One TV Market Price Barometer tracks monthly prices across Accra’s major markets . The data shows a picture of persistent pressure on household food budgets.

In April 2026, cassava per large sack averaged GH¢600—one of the highest-priced staples in the basket . Tomatoes per mini paint container averaged GH¢122.25 . By August 2026, tomatoes had fallen to GH¢193 per 4.5-litre bucket—a 30.8% decline—but onions had risen to GH¢82 per bucket, up 10.8% . This means that while some items become cheaper, others become more expensive, so the overall food bill does not drop.

The price of imported rice (5kg bag) was GH¢73.50 in April, falling slightly to GH¢76 in August . Eggs per crate average GH¢50-51.50, and frozen chicken ranges between GH¢33.40 and GH¢34 per kilogram . For a household cooking with palm oil, the price per litre averaged GH¢36.25 in April, falling to GH¢34 by August .

For many Accra residents, the choice is not about where to eat—it is about whether they can afford to eat well. Celebrity chef Chef Abbys lamented on social media: “Eish Chale Accra prices are finishing me” . Public figures report spending GH¢500 to GH¢5,000 daily on food, fuel, and lifestyle maintenance .

Transport: The Unpredictable Expense

Transport is one of the most unpredictable costs in Accra, and it is a major burden for the thousands who commute daily. A single person in Accra can expect to spend around £26 per month on transport under normal circumstances . But “normal” has become the exception.

Commercial transport operators are charging fares above approved rates . Reports show commuters are paying between 20% and 30% more on certain routes . For example, the fare from Atomic Junction to Sakumono Estate Junction has risen from GH¢11 to GH¢13, while the Atomic Junction-Ashaiman fare has increased from GH¢13 to GH¢16 .

At Kwame Nkrumah Circle, passengers travelling to Fadama are paying GH¢7 instead of the approved GH¢5 . The Circle to Lapaz fare has reportedly risen to GH¢8, up from GH¢5.60 .

The situation is even worse on routes with vehicle shortages. On the Nungua-Accra route, commuters report paying as much as GH¢20 for a journey that ordinarily costs GH¢6 . As one commuter explained: “Normally, I pay GH¢6 to Accra, but sometimes I pay GH¢20. Transport is already one of my biggest daily expenses, and if this continues, many workers will struggle to meet other household needs” .

Some operators are splitting long-distance journeys into shorter trips to charge more. A commuter on the Circle-Kasoa route, who should pay GH¢11, could reportedly end up paying about GH¢20 . These practices are not isolated incidents—they are a systemic problem that the Ghana Private Road Transport Union and Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council have been unable to control .

Utilities: The Steady Creep Upwards

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) approved a 3.49% increase in electricity tariffs and a 0.85% increase in water tariffs effective July 1, 2026 . For lifeline electricity users consuming up to 30 kilowatt-hours per month, the tariff rose from 86.9Gp to 89.93Gp per kilowatt-hour .

The net effect of PURC’s reviews since January 2025 is a cumulative increment of 26.82% on electricity prices . This has drawn criticism from politicians who argue that the increase will hurt industry, SMEs, and household budgets .

For an 85m² apartment, basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) cost an average of £46 per month, with internet adding another £28 . For many Accra residents, this amount is significant when combined with food and transport costs.

The Aspiration Gap: Lifestyle Inflation

Beyond the basics of food, transport, and utilities, there is another cost that is harder to quantify but real: the pressure to maintain a certain lifestyle.

Content creator Afua Nash revealed she spends around GH¢5,000 a day to maintain her lifestyle, covering feeding, fuel, call credit, internet data, and outfit for the day . On days she does not drive, she spends up to GH¢1,800 on transportation alone . Her most expensive dress cost GH¢5,400 and her most expensive wig was GH¢12,000 .

While these figures are outliers, they reflect a broader trend. The person in the viral video explained: “In the US or Europe, someone with a low income can still enjoy life a little bit. They can go out, they can eat well, nothing crazy. But in Accra, a lot of normal workers simply can’t do the same things” .

The urban lifestyle has its own price tag. Dining out at an inexpensive restaurant costs around £5, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs around £33 . For the average salary of £122 per month, dining out is a luxury that many cannot afford.

The Widening Divide

The gap between what it costs to live in Accra and what people earn is widening. The average monthly net salary in Accra is around £122 . Yet for a single person, the estimated monthly cost of living excluding rent is £501 . To afford the basics, a single person in Accra would need to earn four times the average net salary.

This gap explains why so many Accra residents are struggling. It explains why so many workers spend more than 50% of their income on food and transport. It explains why the city’s upscale restaurants and entertainment venues are increasingly accessible only to tourists, expatriates, and diaspora visitors—not ordinary residents .

As the person in the viral video concluded: “If local people cannot afford to enjoy the city that they helped build every day, then something’s really wrong” .

Quick Facts: The Real Cost of Living in Accra (2026)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the real cost of living in Accra in 2026?
A single person in Accra needs approximately £501 per month (about GH¢7,600) excluding rent. A family of four requires about £1,821 per month excluding rent . This covers food, transport, utilities, and other basic expenses.

2. How much does a single person spend on food in Accra?
Monthly groceries average around £183 . However, food prices have been volatile. Items like tomatoes (GH¢193 per bucket in August 2026), imported rice (GH¢76 per 5kg bag), and eggs (GH¢50 per crate) are significant costs .

3. How much do Accra residents pay for transport?
A single person spends about £26 per month on transport under normal circumstances . However, unofficial fare increases are common. Some commuters pay 20-30% above approved fares , and on certain routes, fares can be three times the official rate .

4. Why is Accra so expensive in 2026?
Accra has been ranked the eighth most expensive city in Africa with a cost of living index of 36.6 . The combination of inflation (3.4% in April 2026) , high food prices, transport fare increases, utility hikes, and the pressure of an urban lifestyle has made the city increasingly unaffordable for ordinary residents.

5. How much do utilities cost in Accra?
Basic utilities (electricity, water, garbage) for an 85m² apartment average £46 per month, with internet costing another £28 . Electricity tariffs increased by 3.49% from July 1, 2026 , contributing to a cumulative hike of 26.82% since January 2025 .

6. Is it possible to live in Accra on an average salary?
The average net monthly salary in Accra is around £122 . This is significantly below the estimated monthly cost of living (£501 for a single person excluding rent). This means many workers struggle to afford basic needs, leading some residents to describe Accra as “becoming too expensive for ordinary people

Source: Accra Street Journal

Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.

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