🇬🇭 Accra vs 🇿🇦 Johannesburg

Cost of living comparison · 2026

🇬🇭

Accra

Ghana

$985–$1,559/mo

₵15,154 – ₵23,985 / month (local)

🇿🇦

Johannesburg

South Africa

$1,231–$1,949/mo

R22,382 – R35,436 / month (local)

Johannesburg is 25% more expensive

Accra wins on affordability

Cost breakdown

CategoryAccra (USD)Johannesburg (USD)Winner
Rent (1-bed, city center)$738–$1,149$923–$1,436🟢 Accra
Rent (1-bed, outside center)$390–$615$487–$769🟢 Accra
Utilities$31–$59$38–$74🟢 Accra
Groceries$156–$234$195–$292🟢 Accra
Eating out (mid-range meal)$21–$37$26–$46🟢 Accra
Public transport (monthly)$39–$47$49–$59🟢 Accra
Internet & Mobile$12–$21$15–$26🟢 Accra
Gym membership$14–$27$18–$33🟢 Accra
Cinema ticket$6–$7$7–$9🟢 Accra
Monthly total (single)$985–$1,559$1,231–$1,949🟢 Accra

See how your salary compares in both cities

Enter monthly take-home in USD. We compare to our estimated budget range for your household (not financial advice).

Quality of life comparison

Housing7.1 / 10 · 7.5 / 10
Accra
Johannesburg▲ better
Safety9.7 / 10 · 9.0 / 10
Accra▲ better
Johannesburg
Healthcare8.0 / 10 · 9.0 / 10
Accra
Johannesburg▲ better
Education7.6 / 10 · 8.6 / 10
Accra
Johannesburg▲ better
Environment8.4 / 10 · 9.4 / 10
Accra
Johannesburg▲ better
Economy6.7 / 10 · 7.7 / 10
Accra
Johannesburg▲ better
Culture7.3 / 10 · 8.3 / 10
Accra
Johannesburg▲ better
Internet7.7 / 10 · 8.7 / 10
Accra
Johannesburg▲ better

Who should choose which city?

Choose Accra if…

  • ✓You want lower typical monthly costs than Johannesburg
  • ✓Stability
  • ✓English
  • ✓Coast
  • ✓Cocoa

Choose Johannesburg if…

  • ✓You're happy to pay more for what Johannesburg offers vs Accra
  • ✓Business hub
  • ✓Mining finance
  • ✓English
  • ✓Mining

You might also like…

📊

Full Accra guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore Accra →

📊

Full Johannesburg guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore Johannesburg →