Best cities in Africa to live on $1,500 a month

Every city here in Africa fits a full single-person budget — rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities and extras — under $1,500/month, ranked by overall quality of life so cheap doesn't mean grim.

Methodology: Only cities with an all-in monthly cost under $1,500 qualify; ranked by average quality of life (safety, internet, healthcare, climate).

  1. 1. Kigali, Rwanda

    $1,175/mo · QoL 82/100 · Safety 88/100

    $1,175/mo all-in leaves $325/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 82/100 average quality of life.

  2. 2. Sousse, Tunisia

    $750/mo · QoL 77/100 · Safety 80/100

    $750/mo all-in leaves $750/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 77/100 average quality of life.

  3. 3. Musanze, Rwanda

    $720/mo · QoL 76/100 · Safety 84/100

    $720/mo all-in leaves $780/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 76/100 average quality of life.

  4. 4. Arusha, Tanzania

    $840/mo · QoL 75/100 · Safety 78/100

    $840/mo all-in leaves $660/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 75/100 average quality of life.

  5. 5. Tangier, Morocco

    $910/mo · QoL 74/100 · Safety 78/100

    $910/mo all-in leaves $590/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 74/100 average quality of life.

  6. 6. Jinja, Uganda

    $720/mo · QoL 74/100 · Safety 78/100

    $720/mo all-in leaves $780/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 74/100 average quality of life.

  7. 7. Mombasa, Kenya

    $840/mo · QoL 73/100 · Safety 65/100

    $840/mo all-in leaves $660/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 73/100 average quality of life.

  8. 8. Fez, Morocco

    $770/mo · QoL 73/100 · Safety 72/100

    $770/mo all-in leaves $730/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 73/100 average quality of life.

  9. 9. Alexandria, Egypt

    $720/mo · QoL 73/100 · Safety 75/100

    $720/mo all-in leaves $780/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 73/100 average quality of life.

  10. 10. Johannesburg, South Africa

    $1,360/mo · QoL 73/100 · Safety 50/100

    $1,360/mo all-in leaves $140/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 73/100 average quality of life.

  11. 11. Cape Coast, Ghana

    $650/mo · QoL 72/100 · Safety 78/100

    $650/mo all-in leaves $850/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 72/100 average quality of life.

  12. 12. Praia, Cape Verde

    $1,090/mo · QoL 71/100 · Safety 76/100

    $1,090/mo all-in leaves $410/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 71/100 average quality of life.

Frequently asked questions

Best cities in Africa to live on $1,500 a month — which city is #1?

Kigali, Rwanda tops this list. $1,175/mo all-in leaves $325/mo of headroom on a $1,500 budget, with 82/100 average quality of life. Sousse and Musanze round out the top three.

How is this ranking calculated?

Only cities with an all-in monthly cost under $1,500 qualify; ranked by average quality of life (safety, internet, healthcare, climate). 43 catalog cities in Africa qualified for this list; the top 12 are shown. Scores are catalog averages, not personalised — Jonzy re-ranks every city for your own income, passport and lifestyle when you sign in.

How much does it cost to live in the top city in Africa?

Kigali runs about $1,175/month all-in for one person — rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities and everyday extras. See the Kigali city guide for the full cost breakdown, visa options and FAQ.