Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and Lagos, its commercial hub, have emerged as the most affordable cities for expatriates to live in Africa for 2024, according to Mercer’s Cost of Living rankings.
The report underscores that the cost of living is a critical factor for expatriates when choosing a relocation destination, influencing their quality of life and financial stability.
Both Abuja and Lagos have benefited from currency depreciations, significantly reducing living costs for international assignees.
Abuja, ranked first globally for affordability, has seen reduced housing and utility costs compared to other major cities, despite dropping 86 places in the rankings due to economic factors.
Lagos follows closely as the second cheapest city in Africa for expatriates, experiencing a notable decline of 178 places in global rankings. This drop reflects the impact of currency devaluation on basic goods and services.
The rankings highlight economic trends that aid individuals and organizations in making informed decisions regarding global mobility.
Notably, other African cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Tunis also feature among the top ten cheapest cities, each offering unique cost advantages for expatriates.
This annual assessment provides valuable insights into cost differentials across cities, assisting in strategic planning and budgeting for international assignments.
Below is the list of top 10 cheapest cities to live in Africa with their global rank.
- Johannesburg, South Africa
Global rank for cost of living: 206
Johannesburg offers abundant economic opportunities paired with a relatively low cost of living, especially in housing and basic services, making it a preferred destination for expats in South Africa. The city’s rank slightly decreased from 205 in 2023 to 206 in 2024.
- Cape Town, South Africa
Global rank for cost of living: 209
Despite being a popular tourist hub, Cape Town maintains reasonable living costs for expats, particularly in housing and utilities. The city’s rank improved from 208 in 2023 to 209 in 2024.
- Tunis, Tunisia
Global rank for cost of living: 210
Tunis combines cultural richness with affordability, offering low costs for housing, food, and transportation. The city advanced nine places to rank 210th in 2024.
- Lusaka, Zambia
Global rank for cost of living: 213
Lusaka is renowned for its low living costs, particularly in housing and transportation, making it an attractive option for expats seeking affordability. The city dropped 16 places to rank 213th in 2024.
- Gaborone, Botswana
Global rank for cost of living: 215
Gaborone offers a cost-effective living environment with affordable housing and lower daily essentials costs. The city improved its rank by one place since 2023.
- Windhoek, Namibia
Global rank for cost of living: 218
Windhoek is attractive to cost-conscious expats due to moderate housing costs and relatively low prices for goods and services. The city climbed four places from its previous ranking.
- Durban, South Africa
Global rank for cost of living: 219
Durban boasts a lower cost of living compared to other major South African cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town, especially in housing and groceries. The city’s rank improved from 220 in 2023 to 219 in 2024.
- Blantyre, Malawi
Global rank for cost of living: 221
Blantyre is notable for its low cost of living, particularly in housing and everyday expenses, making it a practical choice for budget-conscious expats. The city dropped 23 places in the rankings, positioning it among the cheapest cities for expats.
- Lagos, Nigeria
Global rank for cost of living: 225
In comparison to other cities in Africa, Lagos is the second cheapest city to live in for expats due to the lower costs of basic goods and services, influenced by currency depreciation. The city experienced a significant drop of 178 places.
- Abuja, Nigeria
Global rank for cost of living: 226
Abuja’s cost of living has become more affordable due to lower cost increases in housing and utilities compared to other major cities, despite dropping 86 places in the rankings due to currency depreciation.