Capital city in Western Area, Sierra Leone
Cost of living in Freetown
How much a month costs in Freetown
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,140–1,830 (Le28,000–45,000).
Prices in Freetown
Typical 2026 ranges in SLE, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | SLE | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | Le10,000–25,000 | $406–1,010 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | Le4,000–10,000 | $162–406 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | Le1,000–3,500 | $41–142 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | Le40–100 | $1.6–4.1 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | Le250–600 | $10–24 |
| Cappuccino | Le60–120 | $2.4–4.9 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | Le40–100 | $1.6–4.1 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | Le5–15 | $0.20–0.61 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | Le100–250 | $4.1–10.1 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | Le600–1,500 | $24–61 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | Le120–300 | $4.9–12.2 |
Value for money: 46/100
A value score of 46/100 means Freetown gives more quality of life per dollar than 45% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 50/100.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cheaper alternatives to Freetown
Similar safety, lower cost, in Africa.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Aswan | Egypt | $478–803 |
| Dahab | Egypt | $536–861 |
| Djerba | Tunisia | $674–1,080 |
| Sousse | Tunisia | $674–1,080 |
| Addis Ababa | Ethiopia | $553–921 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Freetown?
About $365–568 on a lean budget, $1,140–1,830 for a comfortable month and $2,430–4,060 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Freetown?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs Le10,000–25,000 ($406–1,010) a month in the center and Le4,000–10,000 ($162–406) outside it.
How much does food cost in Freetown?
A local meal is Le40–100 ($1.6–4.1); a mid-range restaurant is Le250–600 ($10–24) per person.
Is Sierra Leone expensive?
Prices in Sierra Leone are about 24% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Freetown
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Sierra Leone National Tourist Board
- Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.