The top 10 African countries with the highest cost of living index scores will be highlighted in this article.
Bear in mind that these cities are also the most expensive areas to live in Africa, particularly for expatriates.
One of the biggest threats to wealth accumulation is inflation. It persistently and covertly devalues the currency. It is a persistent issue all over Africa.
Even if many of the people it impacts are ignorant of the harm it can do, they nevertheless experience its effects, such as rising prices and the cost of food, among other things.
Here is the consensus on the question of which African nation has the highest cost of living in the continent across time.
- Marrakech, Morocco
- Durban, South Africa
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Gaborone, Botswana
- Pretoria, South Africa
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Harare, Zimbabwe
- Abidjan, Ivory Coast
- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Dakar, Senegal
10. Marrakech, Morocco
One of the largest and most populous cities in the nation is Marrakech. In Marrakech, the average monthly rent is 7,954 dirhams, or $794.
This makes it 58 percent less expensive than Paris, the city with the highest cost of living in the world.
With a population of over a million, Marrakech is a significant economic hub in Morocco. Since it has the priciest 5-star hotels, gardens, and royal cuisines, it is referred to as the “city of luxury.”
The best view of Morocco is actually from the huge city. In Morocco, it is the top option for expats.
The cost of living index is 34.36.
9. Durban, South Africa
Many of the costliest cities in the world are found in South Africa and one of them is Durban.
The megacity is renowned for its laid-back vibe. Various people are drawn to Durban because of its many beaches, strong surf, and more intriguingly, its large container ports.
In Durban, the cost of living index is 40.33. The typical resident in this city makes a monthly expenditure of $585.
The cost of living is higher than the R23.19 per hour minimum wage that is now in effect in South Africa.
However, despite being one of the most expensive cities in the world, Durban is 86.95 percent less costly to live in than New York.
Also read: 5 Cultural Destinations To Visit In Africa
8. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town’s cost of living index is 40.98, which is 9.89 less expensive than Dakar, Senegal, the most expensive city in Africa to live in.
Table Mountain, Cape Point, the port, and the surrounding landscape make Cape Town famous.
Despite being a costly city to live in, it is a major destination for tourists from all over the world, and occasionally expats travel there for business or pleasure.
Cape Town’s cost of living has steadily increased over the last few years, and predictions for the future indicate that it may soon top this list.
7. Gaborone, Botswana
The capital of Botswana’s government and economy is known as Gaborone. It is well-known for having a game reserve (Gaborone Game Reserve). The country’s major city is there.
In Gaborone, the cost of living index is 42.7. In comparison to Paris, the most expensive city in the world, it is 69 percent less expensive to live there.
Without regard to rent, the average cost of living in the city is pegged at around 600 dollars.
6. Pretoria, South Africa
Pretoria’s cost of living index is 42.76, just a little higher than Gaborone’s. Living costs in the well-known South African metropolis are significantly lower than in New York.
According to statistics, a person would need to earn 140,464.80R (8,690.31$) in New York to maintain the same standard of living as they would with 39,000.00R in Pretoria.
Although Pretoria is among the priciest cities in Africa, it cannot be compared to New York.
5. Johannesburg, South Africa
Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa, has a cost of living index of 44.87, ranking it as the fifth most expensive city in Africa.
The city is renowned for its past involvement in gold mining and is regarded as South Africa’s financial hub.
The cost of living in Johannesburg is $5000 less than it is in New York. The Johannesburg Securities Exchange, South Africa’s sole stock exchange, is located in the city (JSE).
Given that the city is the most populous in South Africa, the high cost of living there is not surprising.
4. Harare, Zimbabwe
With a cost of living index of 45.69, Harare is the most populous city in Zimbabwe. The city is well-known for housing one of the largest concentrations of embassies in Southern Africa.
The World Health Organization’s African regional office is situated there. The high cost of living is not unexpected given the city’s overpopulation.
The cost of living in Harare ranks fourth in Africa. Compared to London, where living expenses are comparable, Harare is nearly $4000 less expensive to live in.
Borrowdale, one of Zimbabwe’s premier affluent residences, is also located in Harare.
3. Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
Abidjan, in Cote d’Ivoire, is one of the most expensive cities in Africa to live in. After the Vridi Canal was finished in 1951, the city gained recognition and grew to be a significant seaport for the continent and the entire world.
Abidjan’s cost of living index is 47.06, not too far from the highest in Africa. The most populous city in Cote d’Ivoire is Abidjan, which has 20% of the nation’s total population.
It also has a lot of tourist attractions, including the ziggurat-like La Pyramide. Abidjan is a lovely place to live despite its large population.
2. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Only 34% less money is spent on living expenses in Ethiopia than in the US. Only a few points separate Addis Ababa from the most expensive city in Africa with its cost of living index of 50.49.
Due to the city’s historical importance to the continent, many people refer to it as the political capital of all of Africa, therefore this is to be anticipated.
With its abundance of museums and significant universities, it serves as Ethiopia’s economic center.
In terms of cost of living, Addis Abeba is 72 percent less costly than New York, yet it is still well outside the top ten most expensive cities in the world.
1. Dakar, Senegal
The most expensive city in Africa to live in is Dakar, Senegal. A closer examination of the costs of consumer items in 2022 placed Dakar above Addis Ababa, whose cost of living is only somewhat less than Dakar’s.
The monthly cost of living in the city of Senegal is projected to be $639 for a single individual.
Dakar ranks first on the list of the most expensive cities to live in Africa with a cost of living index score of 50.87.
Despite this, Dakar cannot be compared to the city of New York because its cost of living index is lower—168.6—than that of New York.
Tel-Aviv, on the other hand, has a cost of living index that is significantly higher, making it the most expensive city in the world.
