Cost of Living in Sierra Leone 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Sierra Leone is the Leone (SLE).
Monthly Living Costs in Sierra Leone
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €325 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €415 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Sierra Leone Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 28.5 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 24.3 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Sierra Leone from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | €18,000 |
| Engineering | €14,500 |
| Finance | €12,000 |
| Healthcare | €7,000 |
| Construction | €5,500 |
| Education | €5,000 |
| Hospitality | €3,500 |
| Retail | €2,500 |
Taxes in Sierra Leone
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 8.8% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €6,080 |
| VAT / sales tax | 15% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 15% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €6,080 per month. After rent and essentials (€325), roughly €5,755 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Sierra Leone Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Leone | €180 | €65 | €25 | 28.5 |
| Guinea | €180 | €95 | €15 | 41 |
| Liberia | €320 | €85 | €15 | 0.3 |
| Nigeria | €250 | €85 | €35 | 26.5 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Sierra Leone:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 2 residence and visa routes for Sierra Leone — see the full Sierra Leone visa programme list.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €325 per month to sustain a move to Sierra Leone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sierra Leone expensive?
Sierra Leone has a cost-of-living index of 28.5 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €180 per month and a single person spends about €325 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Sierra Leone?
About €325 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €415 per month.
What is the average rent in Sierra Leone?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €180 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €320 per month in Sierra Leone. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Sierra Leone?
Typical gross annual salaries in Sierra Leone range from €2,500 (Retail) to €18,000 (IT & Software), based on our sector dataset.
Ready for the next step? See the full Sierra Leone country profile and the Sierra Leone emigration guide.
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