Living in Accra
What it really costs to live in Accra, what you can earn, the visas that get you in, and the taxes you'll pay — for Ghana, updated 2026. As Ghana's capital, Accra commands the country's highest rents — but also its deepest job market. Accra lies in Western Africa. The main language is English. The currency is the cedi. Ghana borders Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Togo.
Cost of Living in Accra
Full Monthly Breakdown for Accra
How Accra Compares to Other Ghana Cities
Accra is not the only option in Ghana. Here is how its single-person monthly cost (€540) stacks up against the other cities we track — Kumasi is the cheapest, Accra the priciest.
| City | Single / month | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Kumasi | €317/mo | -41% vs Accra |
| Takoradi | €392/mo | -27% vs Accra |
What You Can Earn in Ghana
Typical gross annual salaries in Ghana by sector (entry · median · senior). Accra pay usually sits around the national median.
| Sector | Entry | Median | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| it | €8 500 | €12 000 | €17 000 |
| retail | €1 500 | €2 000 | €3 000 |
| finance | €4 500 | €6 500 | €9 000 |
| education | €2 000 | €3 000 | €4 500 |
| healthcare | €3 000 | €4 000 | €6 000 |
| engineering | €4 000 | €6 000 | €8 000 |
| hospitality | €1 500 | €2 500 | €3 500 |
| construction | €2 500 | €4 000 | €5 500 |
Living in Accra: Safety, Health & Climate
Accra shares Ghana's wider quality-of-life profile. Accra has a tropical climate. Here is what daily life looks like on the things that matter most when you relocate.
Visa Routes to Ghana
Affording Accra is only half the question — you also need a visa that lets you stay in Ghana. The main routes:
- A job offer is normally required for the main work route.
- Permanent residence after about 5 years.
- Citizenship after ~6 years — dual nationality allowed.
- Investment route from about €40 650 (USD).
Taxes in Ghana
Top marginal rate 15%, VAT 15%. Special regime — Requires legal source verification
Settling into Accra
- Foreigners can open a local bank account in Ghana.
- Budget around €950 for first-month setup in Accra.
- Regulated professions needing credential recognition: Medicine, Law, Engineering, Architecture, Pharmacy.
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Personalised visa options, costs and a 90-day plan for Ghana.
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How much does it cost to live in Accra?
A single person in central Accra should budget about €540/month, roughly €459 outside the centre. A family of four needs around €1 242/month.
Can I get a visa to live in Ghana?
Yes — the main route usually needs a job offer, with permanent residence reachable in about 5 years. See the full Ghana visa comparison for the route that fits you.
Sources: salaries, taxes, safety, healthcare and visa data from World Bank, OECD, the Global Peace Index and official government portals. Cost-of-living figures are community-sourced benchmarks — a guide, not a quote. Last reviewed 2026-05.
Related: Ghana Guide · Visa Comparison · All Countries