Getting by in Africa’s cities is becoming increasingly expensive. From groceries to transport, everyday costs are rising faster than wages, forcing residents to stretch tight budgets just to make ends meet.
According to the latest Numbeo data, Abidjan tops the continent with a cost of living index of 45.7. Numbeo, a global platform tracking price trends in cities worldwide, calculates this index based on essentials like food, dining, transportation, and utilities, but excludes housing costs such as rent or mortgages, offering a clear snapshot of the true cost of daily life.
1. Abidjan, Ivory Coast (45.7)
Abidjan tops the ranking with a cost of living index of 45.7, a rent index of 21.4, and a cost of living plus rent index of 34.6. Grocery prices are high at 43.1, while restaurant prices are at 40.9, and local purchasing power is just 12.5, indicating that the city’s growing commercial importance is making daily life increasingly expensive for residents.
2. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (42.7)
Addis Ababa follows with a cost-of-living index of 42.7, a rent index of 21.3, and a combined index of 32.9. Groceries are among Africa’s priciest, with a 46.0 index, while restaurants stand at 24.1. With local purchasing power at only 11.4, rising prices continue to outpace incomes for most households.
3. Pretoria, South Africa (41.9)
Pretoria records a cost of living index of 41.9, supported by a low rent index of 12.8 and a cost of living plus rent index of 28.6. Grocery prices stand at 34.3, restaurants at 32.6, while local purchasing power reaches 104.5.
4. Johannesburg, South Africa (40.9)
Johannesburg posts a cost-of-living index of 40.9, a rent index of 13.2, and a combined index of 28.2. Groceries are priced at 35.6, restaurant costs at 38.0, and local purchasing power peaks at 112.4, the strongest among the top ten, though inequality leaves many households still struggling.
5. Cape Town, South Africa (40.4)
Cape Town’s cost of living index is 40.4, with a high rent index of 20.8 pushing its combined index to 31.5. Grocery prices reach 35.9, restaurant prices 38.9, and local purchasing power stands at 99.2, showing why the city’s lifestyle appeal is increasingly pricing out local workers.
6. Harare, Zimbabwe (38.7)
Harare has a cost of living index of 38.7, a low rent index of 11.4, and a combined index of 26.2. Groceries cost 37.5, restaurant prices are 37.9, while local purchasing power is only 29.8, reflecting Zimbabwe’s prolonged economic strain and weak household spending power.
7. Windhoek, Namibia (37.7)
Windhoek records a cost of living index of 37.7, with a rent index of 14.7 and a combined index of 27.2. Grocery prices stand at 35.9, restaurant costs at 36.6, and local purchasing power is 72.4, relatively strong but still challenged by high food and housing expenses.
8. Accra, Ghana (36.8)
Accra posts a cost-of-living index of 36.8, a low rent index of 10.9, and a combined index of 25.0. Groceries are expensive at 42.6, restaurant prices are at 39.3, while local purchasing power is just 12.7, leaving many residents struggling to cope with inflation.
9. Tangier, Morocco (36.5)
Tangier shows a cost-of-living index of 36.5, a rent index of 10.6, and a combined index of 24.7. Grocery prices are 38.1, restaurant costs are 28.9, and local purchasing power stands at 39.5, reflecting moderate affordability as the city expands as a logistics and tourism hub.
10. Durban, South Africa (35.6)
Durban closes the top ten with a cost of living index of 35.6, a rent index of 11.2, and a combined index of 24.5. Groceries are priced at 32.3, restaurants at 32.2, while local purchasing power is strong at 101.6.
