Top 10 Most Expensive Places to Live in Africa 2022

This article will highlight the top 10 most expensive places to live in Africa, especially for ex-pats. Over time, there have been arguments about which African country tops the list of the most expensive places to live in Africa; here’s your answer.

Where is the most expensive place to live in Africa?

Dakar, Senegal is the most expensive city to live in Africa. While some people think that Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is the most expensive, the Senegalese city tops the list of the most expensive places to live in Africa.

As of 2022, Cape Town in South Africa is the best place to live in Africa, Mauritius is the safest, and Addis Ababa is not a bad place to consider for relocation. However, these cities/countries are not the most expensive in cities in Africa.

One would wonder what makes a country or city the most expensive. Investopedia explains that the cost of living is the amount of money needed to be able to afford basic expenses like food, healthcare, and housing. This is then compared to the minimum wage in that city or State.

Here’s a table showing the top 10 most expensive places to live in Africa:

Top 10 Most Expensive Places to Live in Africa

• Marrakech, Morocco
• Durban, South Africa
• Cape Town, South Africa
• Gaborone, Botswana
• Pretoria, South Africa
• Johannesburg, South Africa
• Harare, Zimbabwe
• Abidjan, Ivory Coast
• Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Dakar, Senegal

10. Marrakech, Morocco

The cost of living index in Marrakech, Morocco is 39.94. Marrakech is one of the biggest and most populated cities in the country. The average amount of rent in Marrakech is 7,954 Dirham (equal to $794). This makes it 58% cheaper than Paris which is the most expensive city in the world to live in.

Marrakech is a major economic center in Morocco with a population of over one million. It is known as the city of luxury since it has the most expensive 5-star hotels, gardens, and royal cuisines. the big city literally gives you the best view of Morocco. It is the first choice for ex-pats in Morocco.

9. Durban, South Africa

South Africa is home to many of the most expensive cities in the world. Durban is only one of them. The mega city is known for its vacation atmosphere. Durban has a lot of beaches, surf enters, and more interestingly, It has the biggest container ports in Africa, making it an attraction for many.

The cost of living index in Durban is 40.33. The average person living in this city spends $585 monthly. When compared to the R23. 19 per hour minimum wage existing in South Africa, the cost of living is on the high side.

Durban is however 86.95% cheaper to live in than New York, one of the most expensive cities in the world.

8. Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa is definitely one of the most expensive countries to live in. It’s no wonder most of its cities appear on the list of the most expensive places to live in Africa.

The cost of living index in Cape Town is 40.98, making it 9.89 cheaper than Dakar, Senegal- the most expensive city to live in Africa. Cape Town is known for its Table Mountain and Cape Point, harbor, and natural setting. It is a top choice for tourists all around the world and despite the fact that it is an expensive place to live, ex-pats troop into the city from time to time either on a vacation or work basis.

The cost of living in Cape town has only gone higher over the past few years and projections for later years show that the city may soon top this list.

7. Gaborone, Botswana

Gaborone is known as both the economic and government capital of Botswana. It is popularly appreciated for its Game reserve (Gaborone Game Reserve). It is the largest city in the country.

The cost of living index in Gaborone is 42.7. This makes it 69% cheaper to live in than the most expensive city in the world- Paris. The average cost of living in the city (without rent) is estimated to be about 600 dollars.

6. Pretoria, South Africa

Pretoria is home to notable skyscrapers and jacaranda trees along its major roads. This is yet another city in South Africa on the list of the most expensive places to live in Africa.

The cost of living index in Pretoria is 42.76, just a little above Gaborone. The popular South-African city is way cheaper to live in compared to new york. Statistics show that the standard of living the average person would have for 39,000.00R in Pretoria will have to level up to 140,464.80R (8,690.31$) in New York in order to maintain the same standard of living.

Pretoria may be one of the most expensive places in Africa but it can not be compared to New York.

5. Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg is South Africa’s biggest city and the 5th most expensive city to live in Africa with a cost of living index of 44.87. The city is known for its history in gold mining and is known as the financial backbone of South Africa.

In comparison with New York, Johannesburg is about $5000 cheaper to live in. The city is home to South Africa’s only Stock Exchange- the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE).

The high cost of living in the city is not a surprise, considering its rank as the most populous city in South Africa.

4. Harare, Zimbabwe

Harare is the most populous city in Zimbabwe with a cost of living index of 45.69. The city is most popular for having one of the highest numbers of embassies in the Southern part of Africa. It is also the location of the African headquarters of the world health organization.

Considering the over-population in the city, the cost of living does not come as a surprise. Harare is the 4th most expensive city to live in Africa. The cost of living in Harare is over $4000 cheaper than the cost of living on the same terms in London.

Harare is also home to Borrowdale, one of the top residential places for elites in Zimbabwe.

3. Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

Cote d’Ivoire is home to one of the most expensive places to live in Africa- Abidjan. The city gained popularity after it completed the Vridi Canal in 1951 and became an important seaport in the continent and the world at large.

The cost of living index in Abidjan is 47.06, not so far from the most expensive city in Africa. Abidjan holds 20% of the entire population of Cote d’Ivoire, making it the most populated city in the country.

It is also home to many tourist attractions like La Pyramide, a ziggurat-like building, among others. Despite the mass population, Abidjan is a beautiful place to live in.

2. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The cost of living in Ethiopia is only 34% lower than in the United States. Addis Ababa has its cost of living index at 50.49, only a few points away from the top most expensive city in Africa.

This is highly expected as the city is popularly known as the political capital of Africa as a whole, as a result of its historical significance in the continent. It is the economic hub of Ethiopia with the presence of museums and several major universities.

Addis Ababa is 72% less expensive than New York in terms of cost of living ad that’s still far from being on the list of the top 10 most expensive cities in the world.

1. Dakar, Senegal- most expensive city in Africa

Dakar, Senegal is the most expensive city to live in Africa. A closer look at the consumer goods prices in 2022 ranked Dakar above Addis Ababa which is only a little cheaper to live in than Dakar. A single person’s cost of living in the Senegalese city is estimated at $639 monthly.

The index score for the cost of living in Dakar is 50.87, making it the first on the list of the most expensive places to live in Africa. Despite this figure, Dakar cannot be compared to the city New York as the cost of living index in New York is 168.6. However, Tel-Aviv is the most expensive place to live in the world with a cost of living index way more than that of New York and London.

Summary

Here’s a list of the most expensive places to live in Africa:

1. Dakar, Senegal

2. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

3. Abidjan, Ivory Coast

4. Harare, Zimbabwe

5. Johannesburg, South Africa

6. Pretoria, South Africa

7. Gaborone, Botswana

8. Cape Town, South Africa

9. Durban, South Africa

10. Marrakech, Morocco

Dakar is, therefore, the most expensive place to live in Africa, followed by Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, and other cities comprising mostly of top places in South Africa.