What’s a Good Salary for Living in Ghana? NYC Comparison for Remote Workers

One Person (Solo)

On the other hand, if you want an NYC-style lifestyle – frequent dining out, gym memberships, travel, etc. – you’d budget higher. We estimate that a solo remote worker aiming for a “New York standard” comfort level in Accra would need on the order of $1,000–$1,500 per month. This includes a nice one- or two-bedroom apartment in a decent neighborhood (often $500–$800), regular groceries and restaurant meals, plus entertainment and a health plan. (For reference, a mid-range dinner for two in Accra might cost on the order of GHS531 (~$38).)

• Housing: A modest one-bedroom outside the city center can run ~$500–$650. In popular expat areas (East Cantonments, Airport Residential), a nice 2–3 bedroom might be $1,200–$1,800 (c. GH₵20,000–27,000). For a solo worker, sharing or living slightly out of town can lower this.
• Transportation: Fuel in Ghana is about GHS13–14 per liter (roughly $1.00/L). Driving moderately, expect $100–$200/mo on gas. Many expats use rideshares or hire drivers; budget $50–$100 for local taxis/tro-tro if not owning a car.
• Food: Groceries for one might be $150–$250/mo. Eating out at casual restaurants costs ~$3–5 per meal. For someone treating themselves now and then, figure $200–$300 on food.
• Entertainment: A movie ticket pair is about GHS168 (~$12), and a dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant GHS530 ($38). Adding occasional outings or clubbing, budget $50–$100 monthly if modest; lavish nightlife raises it more.
• Utilities: Water is cheap (~GHS30–50 = $5–$9/mo). Electricity and generator use can be GHS200–400 ($35–$70/mo). Internet (fiber) plans run about GHS100–300 ($18–$53/mo). In total, a household might pay on the order of $70–$150 monthly for all utilities.
• Healthcare: Ghana has free public clinics, but expats typically use private care or insurance. A basic private insurance plan (for a single person) might be $50–$100/mo; out-of-pocket visits to a local doctor run $20–50. Budget a few hundred per year, or more for comprehensive expat plans.
• Miscellaneous: Mobile phone/data ~$10–15; clothes and personal items vary.

Solo Person Total: Adding these up, a comfortable solo lifestyle in Accra might run $1,000–$1,500 per month in USD. This aligns with anecdotal reports (one person said ~$700 was enough to live “comfortably” with no dependents). Even $500/month can cover basics if very frugal. But for an “NYC-level” standard with more services and leisure, plan on roughly $1.2–$1.5K.

Couple (No Kids)

A couple generally doubles some costs (rent, food) but can share others. For two working remotely:

• Housing: A 2-bedroom apt or small house in a good area might be $700–$1,200/mo. For example, a nice 2-bed in Cantonments/E. Cantonments can be ~$1,000–1,300 (GH₵18,000–22,000).
• Food: Around $300–$400/mo for groceries and occasional dining out.
• Transportation: One car might suffice; budget $150–$250/mo on fuel (and maintenance) or $100+ for rideshares.
• Entertainment: More social outings – maybe $100–$200 total.
• Utilities: Slightly higher electricity use (accommodation larger) – say $100–$150.
• Healthcare: Couple private insurance plan ~$100–$200 total, depending on coverage.
• Other: Any support staff or domestic help adds more. One commenter noted a family with multiple cars paying about GHS12,000 (≈$880) on bills alone (housekeeping, utilities) before rent and fees.

Couple Total: Conservatively, a middle-class couple might need on the order of $1,800–$2,500 per month. If enjoying finer comforts (private driver, regular restaurant meals, travel), it could go higher. Still, experts point out that “2K in Ghana” goes much further than in NYC – even with modest splurges, $2,000 in Accra is quite comfortable.

Family of Five (Parents + 3 Children)

Adding children (especially with international schooling) is the biggest expense. Costs (in USD) might look like:

• Housing: A large 4+ bedroom house in an expat area (e.g. Cantonments, Airport Residential, East Legon) could be $1,500–$2,500/mo. In prime areas, family homes often run GH₵50,000+ (over $3,000) – but a decent place might be around GH₵30,000 (about $2,200).
• Food: Substantially more – perhaps $500–$800/mo for groceries and family meals, depending on diet.
• Transportation: Two cars are common. Budget $200–$300/mo on fuel plus insurance/maintenance.
• Entertainment/Leisure: Family outings, clubs, vacations – easily $200+/mo.
• Utilities: More bedrooms and AC use means higher bills – maybe $150–$250/mo.
• Schooling: By far the largest new cost. Many expat families enroll kids in international schools. Annual tuition per child can be in the $5,000–$15,000 range (e.g. one school lists €6,380–16,400/year depending on grade, or roughly $7k–$18k each). For three children, this easily adds $15,000–$40,000 per year (i.e. $1,250–$3,333 per month total) if using top-tier schools. A local or less expensive international school would be cheaper, but budgeting at least $2,000–$3,000/mo for schooling is prudent.
• Healthcare: Family health insurance might run a few hundred per month.

Family Total: All told, a family of five aiming for a Western-standard life in Accra might need on the order of $4,000–$6,000+ per month in USD. For example, one local family (2 parents + 2 kids) reported spending GHS20,000 ($1,450) per month total – but that likely did not include high-end schooling or all luxuries. With international schools and private healthcare, the figure jumps. In comparison, that same commentator also noted a smaller family spent GHS12,000 ($880) just on basics (utilities, kids’ fees, cars) – implying total expenses near $2,000 without fancy extras.

NYC Comparison: For perspective, NYC living is far costlier. In Accra, $3,000–$4,000 a month can feel like a luxurious lifestyle; in NYC it often just covers rent. As one commenter quipped, “You’re an average man in the US if you earn $2K/month, but a king in Ghana”. In short, remote workers earning USD salaries often find Ghana very affordable, even with a pricey “New York” lifestyle.

This analysis combines local anecdotes and data. Costs are drawn from Numbeo and expat cost-of-living sites, Reddit discussions on r/Ghana, and housing listings. The breakdown of utilities comes from an Accra utilities guide, and entertainment/dining costs from expat surveys. The full list of sources is given below.

Sources:

1. Reddit, r/Ghana – “Work remotely with good salary and stay in Ghana or rather leave the country?” (July 2023)
2. Reddit, r/Ghana – “How much so you spend to live in Accra?” (Oct 2017)
3. Blavior.com – “$50,000 Is Not Enough to Relocate to Ghana: A Diasporan’s Reality” (Jan 2024)
4. Ghana Property Centre – “3 Bedroom Houses for Rent in Accra” (December 2024)
5. Numbeo – “Cost of Living in Ghana” (May 2025)
6. Expatistan – “Cost of living in Accra, Ghana” (May 2025)
7. FasterCapital – “Breakdown of Monthly Utility Bills in Accra” (2022)