MigrantoCost of living in Sierra Leone
Average monthly spending, by standard of living and against other countries
Monthly cost
SLL 1,200,000
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
SLL 589,000richest 20%
SLL 3,340,000
Sierra Leone runs on a thin, import-heavy economy still finding its feet since the war years, and that pulls costs in different directions: local rice, fish, and labor are cheap, while anything arriving by ship carries the full cost of getting it here. The leone has lost much of its footing, which keeps everyday prices low for anyone earning in a stronger currency. The distance between the best-off and the worst-off is real, but more of a step than the chasm some of its neighbors live with.
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in Sierra Leone
Tell us what you earn and spend today — we'll estimate what the same lifestyle would cost in Sierra Leone and how much you could have left each month
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Cost of living in Sierra Leone
SLL 589,000/mo
vs SLL 19,600,000 in your country
Take-home
SLL 4,400,000
vs SLL 29,500,000 in your country
Potential savings
SLL 3,810,000
more than in your country
Standard of living
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How living costs in Sierra Leone compare
On the world stage, Sierra Leone is one of the least expensive countries going, and it stays on the low side within Africa too. It leans heavily on imports, which you'd expect to make things dear — but wages are low and the currency soft enough that, in the terms a newcomer counts in, it still comes out cheap.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Sierra Leone?
A typical person in Sierra Leone spends about SLL 1,200,000 a month — around SLL 14,400,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the cost of living in Sierra Leone in US dollars?
The cost of living in Sierra Leone is about $49 a month, or roughly $588 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Sierra Leone?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about SLL 589,000 a month per person, a typical one around SLL 1,200,000, and a comfortable life around SLL 1,570,000. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
Is Sierra Leone an expensive country to live in?
No. Sierra Leone is more expensive than 7% of countries worldwide and ranks 40th of 53 in Africa by cost of living.
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Living in Sierra Leone
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