2025's Top 20 Most Expensive Cities in Africa: Cost of Living Breakdown

Africa, a continent of striking diversity, faces stark contrasts in its economic landscapes. Among the 780 global locations ranked for cost of living as of 1 January 2025, the top 20 African cities illustrate unique challenges and dynamics driving their high costs. With New York City as the benchmark (index of 100), these cities show significant expense disparities influenced by infrastructure, geopolitics, and local economies.

The Highest Cost of Living: Chad, Liberia, and Gabon

The highest cost of living in Africa is in N'Djamena, Chad (86.8). Known for its limited infrastructure and dependency on imports, the city’s high cost of living is largely driven by logistics and scarcity of goods. Expatriates and locals alike face exorbitant prices for basic necessities, a consequence of Chad’s landlocked geography and political instability.

Monrovia, Liberia (86.4), follows closely. The country's reliance on imports, compounded by fragile local industries, results in high living costs. Despite its position as a coastal city, inadequate port infrastructure inflates prices, especially for consumer goods and housing.

Libreville, Gabon (85.9), ranks third. Gabon’s oil wealth contrasts with its high inequality, where limited domestic production forces reliance on imports. The city’s affluent expatriate community also drives up prices, particularly for accommodation and international schooling.

Central Africa’s Struggles: Kinshasa and Brazzaville

Kinshasa, Congo DRC (79.5), the fourth most expensive city, suffers from poor infrastructure, which exacerbates supply chain inefficiencies. The result is steep costs for imported goods, while security concerns further strain economic stability.

Neighbouring Brazzaville, Congo (69.5), shares similar issues. Its high prices reflect limited domestic agricultural and industrial output, making the city reliant on costly imports to meet demand.

West Africa’s Hotspots: Conakry, Abidjan, and Freetown

Conakry, Guinea (75.36), at fifth, experiences high living costs due to weak local production and high import tariffs. Meanwhile, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire (72.5), and Freetown, Sierra Leone (71.8), owe their positions to a mix of recovering post-conflict economies and growing urbanisation that has outpaced infrastructure development. Housing costs in these cities are notably steep as demand outstrips supply.

Southern Africa and Island Economies

Jamestown, Saint Helena (71.7), is uniquely positioned. This remote island’s isolation means its economy depends heavily on imports, making everyday goods significantly more expensive. Maseru, Lesotho (71.3), faces similar challenges due to limited industrialisation and reliance on neighbouring South Africa for many goods.

Victoria, Seychelles (65.1), combines the idyllic with the expensive. While tourism boosts its economy, it also inflates costs, particularly for real estate and imported goods required to maintain high service standards.

Nigeria: A Tale of Cities

Nigeria dominates with four cities: Abuja (69.8), Lagos (69.6), Kano (67.3), and Ibadan (65.3). The reasons vary from Abuja’s government-centred economy driving housing costs to Lagos’s role as a commercial hub with high population density. Kano and Ibadan, while cheaper, still suffer from infrastructure gaps and supply chain inefficiencies.

East Africa’s Challenges: Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya

Djibouti (67.6) and Mogadishu, Somalia (66.5), illustrate the East African cot of living. Both countries face high import reliance, with Djibouti’s strategic port inflating costs due to demand and Somalia’s instability exacerbating inefficiencies. Mombasa, Kenya (65.6), while relatively affordable, struggles with urbanisation pressures and the cost of imported goods.

Implications for Relocation

For anyone considering a move to these cities, the financial implications are significant. Expatriates often encounter elevated costs for housing, healthcare, and education. The need to import goods, from food to construction materials, further strains budgets. In cities like N'Djamena or Monrovia, expatriates may face challenges in accessing quality infrastructure and amenities, while locations like Victoria offer higher standards at a premium.

For businesses, these costs can deter investment unless offset by lucrative opportunities, such as resource extraction or strategic positioning. Employees, whether local or foreign, require significant adjustments to accommodate high costs relative to local incomes.

Conclusion

Africa’s most expensive cities underscore the interplay between geography, politics, and economics. While these cities present opportunities, their cost of living highlights the challenges of urbanisation, infrastructure deficits, and dependency on global supply chains. For prospective residents or investors, understanding these dynamics is crucial to navigating the continent’s unique economic landscape.

Use Xpatulator’s Cost of Living Calculators and Tools for informed decision-making about the cost of living and the salary / allowance / assignment package required to maintain the current standard of living.