Cost of Living in Africa: A Comparative Analysis
The cost of living in Africa varies significantly depending on the city, with Abidjan, Cairo, and Tunis having distinct price tags. The new 2026 ranking by Numbeo, a global reference platform for cost of living, highlights surprising disparities between major cities on the continent. With inflation, pressure on food prices, and income disparities, this ranking provides a concrete picture of the daily life of residents.
Numbeo bases its comparisons on a reference index set at 100 for New York. The higher the index, the higher the cost of living.
The 5 Most Expensive Countries to Live in Africa
The top-ranked African countries are primarily economic capitals where the prices of basic products, services, and food weigh heavily on household budgets.
- Côte d'Ivoire: With Abidjan having an index of 45.2, Côte d'Ivoire takes the top spot. The Ivorian economic capital has a high level of commercial activity, but also high prices, particularly for imported food products.
- Ethiopia: With Addis Ababa having an index of 42.6, Ethiopia follows closely. Despite low average incomes, the cost of groceries and certain services remains high, exacerbating pressure on urban households.
- South Africa: South Africa has three cities in the top 5: Pretoria (41.6), Johannesburg (40.4), and Cape Town (39.6). These cities have prices comparable to those of more developed emerging countries, particularly in terms of restaurants and services, although the purchasing power is higher than in the rest of the continent.
The 5 Least Expensive Countries to Live in Africa
At the other end of the ranking, some African cities remain significantly more affordable for daily expenses.
- Egypt: Egypt dominates this category, with Giza (20.9), Alexandria (21.6), and Cairo (23.2) among the cities with the lowest cost of living. Food prices, transportation, and services remain relatively contained, despite recent economic tensions.
- Rwanda: With Kigali (25.9), and Uganda: With Kampala (27.6), these cities still benefit from moderate costs for essential goods, although the increase in rents is starting to be felt in some neighborhoods.
Focus on Tunisia
Tunis ranks 15th in Africa in 2026, with a Cost of Living Index of 30.7. This places Tunisia in an intermediate zone, where the cost of living is higher than in Egypt or Rwanda but remains significantly more affordable than in cities like Abidjan or Addis Ababa.
Methodology Behind the Numbeo Ranking
The Numbeo ranking is based on actual data from the field, rather than theoretical estimates. It takes into account:
- Food prices
- Restaurant costs
- Transportation
- Basic services
- Local purchasing power
This comprehensive approach provides a realistic picture of the cost of living in various African cities.
