Taking into account the costs of necessities like food, transportation, utilities and healthcare, this index has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for residents while promoting economic development and social equality.
A low cost of living allows families to have more money for savings, investments and discretionary spending.
Even better when rent isn’t included: Rent is a big part of most household expenses, but having a relatively low cost of living without rent as a factor can be a great help.
Moreover, this factor helps attract foreign investors. Countries with a low cost of living are more attractive to investors and expatriates looking for places where operational and labor costs are manageable.
According to data from Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index (excluding rent), several African countries stand out for their affordability. The index measures consumer prices for food, dining, transport and utilities, excluding housing costs.
With that in mind, here are the African countries with the lowest cost of living, even without accounting in rent.
It’s important to note that Numbeo’s index focuses on major economic centres, not the entire continent.
Top 5 African countries with the lowest cost of living excluding rent in 2024
| Rank | Country | Cost of living index (excl. rent) | Cost of living | Rent index | Global rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Egypt | 12.7 | 21.0 | 3.7 | 2nd |
| 2. | Libya | 12.7 | 20.4 | 4.3 | 3rd |
| 3. | Tanzania | 16.4 | 23.8 | 8.4 | 8th |
| 4. | Madagascar | 16.5 | 24.5 | 7.8 | 9th |
| 5. | Algeria | 16.9 | 28.9 | 3.8 | 10th |
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