Africa Expat Cost of Living Comparison Rankings April 2015

Overall African countries are some of the poorest and least developed in the world, with relatively low local cost of living expenses, however the cost of importing and transporting most of what expatriates expect to purchase in the cities in this region makes it extremely expensive to maintain the lifestyle that they are used to.

The costly accommodation, imported produce and international private schooling keep Luanda as most expensive city to live in the African region.

In Luanda a rented house in a guarded community (recommended with a Medium Risk Rating, the threat of violent crime is the principal risk in the major cities and across the country) can cost between US$8 000 and US$12 000 per month, international private schooling up to US$40 000 a year and the requirement for either a 4x4 to navigate the roads (which are being improved) or for a driver can be costly.

Bangui in the Central African Republic (CAR) remains the 2nd most expensive city in Africa. With a country endowed with natural resources and considerable agricultural, water and mineral resources it is still one of the least-developed countries in Africa, this is due to the rife corruption which undermines the timber and diamond industries and the politically instability. Suitable accommodation for expatriates is almost impossible to find. The cost of importing and transporting almost everything for expatriates has contributed to Bangui being extremely expensive to maintain a safe and secure expatriate life style.

N'Djamena in Chad moves to 4th most expensive city in Africa and is replaced by Asmara in 3rd, and Lagos in 5th.

Tunis in Tunisia remains the cheapest African city.

Xpatulator.com has been created to assist subscribers calculate expatriate pay using the online calculators and extensive database of cost of living and hardship indexes, for 780 international locations. The cost of living ranking information is updated quarterly using data collected by Xpatulator.com over the past 12 months.

For more, read a free cost of living review for the following locations in Africa:

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