Cost Of Living in Lome 2025

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Lome

Whether you're living in Lome or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Lome is 410,000 XOF. Expenses can range from 57,000 XOF at the minimum level to 2.7M XOF at the highest end.

Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Lome is 680,000 XOF. Expenditure can range from 230,000 XOF to 3.6M XOF per month.

Families

The average cost of living for families in Lome is 900,000 XOF per month. Families spend anywhere from 320,000 XOF to 5.9M XOF.

Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Lome is 300,000 XOF. Students spend from 45,000 XOF to 2M XOF per month.

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Lome

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.

Expense to income distribution levels

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Lome is 98% This means that on average, people spend around 98% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 16% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.

Individual
88%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

81%

97%

Couple
93%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

85%

100%

Family
100%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

94%

110%

How do people spend their money in Lome?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

People living in Lome typically spend from 14% to 33% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 25% being the average. The average spend on housing is 180,000 XOF with expenditure ranging from 14,000 XOF to 1.8M XOF. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Lome ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 29,000 XOF with 2,300 XOF and 290,000 XOF being the upper and lower limits.

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 4,500 XOF to 590,000 XOF on commuting with 59,000 XOF being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 7% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 11%.

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Lome is 150,000 XOF. The cost of groceries can range between 11,000 XOF to 1.5M XOF. People spend on average about 28% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 20% and 34% respectively.

People in Lome allocate 5% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 3,200 XOF to 410,000 XOF with 41,000 XOF being the norm.

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 1,800 XOF to 240,000 XOF with 24,000 XOF being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 9% of total expenses with an average of 5% for most residents.

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 35,000 XOF per month with 2,700 XOF being the minimum spent amount and 350,000 XOF being the maximum.

How much money can you save in Lome every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.

What percentage of people in Lome manage to save money from their income every month?

Almost 64% of the surveyed people in Lome said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 36% said that aren't saving anything.

Percentage of people saving money by population group in Lome

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

For most people, 10% to 33% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 18% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 190,000 XOF on average with savings ranging from 15,000 XOF to 1.9M XOF.

70% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 64% of couples said the same. 59% of families confirmed their ability to save money.

How much money do people actually save in Lome?

Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 14% to 35% of their monthly income to savings, with 23% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 130,000 XOF with 15,000 XOF and 890,000 XOF being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 11% to 34% of their monthly income, with 20% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 220,000 XOF with 74,000 XOF and 1.2M XOF being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Families

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Lome can save anywhere between 9.1% to 31% of their monthly income, with 17% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 300,000 XOF with 100,000 XOF and 1.9M XOF being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Saving Challenges in Lome

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Lome. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.

Around 5% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 8% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 15% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 11% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 19% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 12% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for people in Lome

Where do people choose to put their savings?

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

• 50% for needs and financial obligations

  This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

• 30% for wants and discretionary spending

  This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

• 20% for savings and emergency fund

  This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

Affordable living in Lome

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Lome?

Around 64% of surveyed residents think that living in Lome is affordable with proper budgeting while 36% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Lome

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options64%

Few low-cost options36%

Based on the survey, 64% of the people living in Lome have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 36% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Lome whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes60%

No40%

Based on the survey, 40% of the people living in Lome said that they don't have an emergency fund while 60% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in Togo

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy51%

We asked residents of Togo whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 49% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 51% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.

Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether residents of Togo have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 48% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 52% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance48%

Easily manages finances52%

Financial goals of people in Lome

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Lome, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.

Around 8% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 39% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 9% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 7% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 18% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 7% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 8% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 12% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Lome

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Lome and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in Togo is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents of Lome about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Lome

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Lome

Percentage of people who are in debt

According to the survey, 35% of the people in Lome have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 65% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.

Debt-to-income ratio in Lome

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 35% of the people's monthly income in Lome goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Lome pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 16% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 13% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 15% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 12% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.

Distribution by type of debt in Lome

10% of debtors in Lome confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 28% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 18% of people and personal loans rose at 41%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Lome.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.

Loan Affordability Index in Lome

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Lome how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Lome

Rent Cost in Lome

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

50,000 XOF

75,000 XOF

200,000 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$83

$120

$330

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

75,000 XOF

120,000 XOF

300,000 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$120

$200

$500

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

100,000 XOF

150,000 XOF

400,000 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$170

$250

$660

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

120,000 XOF

200,000 XOF

550,000 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$200

$330

$900

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

240,000 XOF

600,000 XOF

1.2M XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$400

$990

$2,000

Townhouse monthly rent cost

200,000 XOF

300,000 XOF

860,000 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$330

$500

$1,400

House monthly rent cost

240,000 XOF

600,000 XOF

1.2M XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$400

$990

$2,000

Villa monthly rent cost

300,000 XOF

750,000 XOF

1.2M XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$500

$1,200

$2,000

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Lome ranges between 50,000 XOF and 200,000 XOF, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 75,000 XOF to 300,000 XOF. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 100,000 XOF and 400,000 XOF per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 120,000 XOF to 550,000 XOF. The average rent of a townhouse in Lome is around 300,000 XOF while house rental costs can be as high as 600,000 XOF per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 300,000 XOF to 1.2M XOF per month.

Apartment and house prices in Lome

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

10M XOF

15M XOF

30M XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$17,000

$25,000

$50,000

1-bedroom apartment price

12M XOF

20M XOF

75M XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$20,000

$33,000

$120,000

2-bedroom apartment price

20M XOF

60M XOF

120M XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$33,000

$99,000

$200,000

3-bedroom apartment price

67M XOF

100M XOF

300M XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$110,000

$170,000

$500,000

Townhouse price

86M XOF

200M XOF

750M XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$140,000

$330,000

$1.2M

House price

100M XOF

600M XOF

860M XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$170,000

$990,000

$1.4M

Villa price

120M XOF

670M XOF

1,000M XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$200,000

$1.1M

$1.7M

The average price of a studio apartment in Lome can range from 10M XOF to 30M XOF depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 12M XOF to 75M XOF. A villa can cost you 670M XOF on average with prices ranging from 120M XOF to 1,000M XOF.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

Property prices in Lome can be x107 to x224 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x107 multiples of the average monthly salary in Lome.

Rent to income ratio

The average rent-to-income ratio in Lome is around 33%. This means that people pay 33% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 22% to 44% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Lome

Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Lome

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

3,400 XOF

24,000 XOF

160,000 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$5.7

$40

$270

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

9,000 XOF

31,000 XOF

200,000 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$15

$50

$330

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

16,000 XOF

45,000 XOF

290,000 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$26

$75

$490

Internet and cable cost

2,700 XOF

5,500 XOF

7,300 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$4.5

$9.1

$12

Mobile phone bill and charges

2,200 XOF

3,700 XOF

11,000 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$3.6

$6

$18

The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Lome ranges between 3,400 XOF and 160,000 XOF with average being 24,000 XOF, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 31,000 XOF with 9,000 XOF and 200,000 XOF being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 45,000 XOF. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 2,700 XOF to 7,300 XOF with 5,500 XOF being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 3,700 XOF but can range between 2,200 XOF and 11,000 XOF depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.

Energy / Utility expense to income ratio

The average utility-to-income ratio in Lome is around 6.8%. This means that people pay 6.8% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.4% to 11% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Lome

Prices and cost of goods and services in Lome

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

550 XOF

1,100 XOF

1,800 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.91

$1.8

$3

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Lome is approximatly 1,100 XOF with meal cost ranging from 550 XOF to 1,800 XOF. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

1,900 XOF

2,900 XOF

5,700 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$3.2

$4.7

$9.5

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 1,900 XOF and 5,700 XOF with 2,900 XOF being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Lome.

Fine dining meal for one price

3,800 XOF

5,700 XOF

23,000 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$6.3

$9.5

$38

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 3,800 XOF to 23,000 XOF with the average cost being 5,700 XOF for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Lome.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

460 XOF

730 XOF

1,100 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.75

$1.2

$1.8

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Lome is around 730 XOF. Price ranges between 460 XOF and 1,100 XOF depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.

Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

370 XOF

440 XOF

550 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.60

$0.72

$0.91

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Lome is 440 XOF. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 550 XOF and the minimum being 370 XOF depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

270 XOF

370 XOF

550 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.45

$0.60

$0.91

A dozen eggs costs around 370 XOF on average with 270 XOF and 550 XOF being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

620 XOF

810 XOF

1,100 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1

$1.3

$1.9

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Lome is between 620 XOF and 1,100 XOF depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 810 XOF.

Pack of beef price

730 XOF

1,100 XOF

2,200 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.2

$1.8

$3.6

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 1,100 XOF. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

290 XOF

400 XOF

570 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.49

$0.67

$0.94

A bag of rice in Lome costs around 400 XOF on average with prices rangeing between 290 XOF and 570 XOF depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

110 XOF

150 XOF

270 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.18

$0.24

$0.45

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 110 XOF to 270 XOF. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

200 XOF

260 XOF

420 XOF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.32

$0.42

$0.70

A bag of apples costs 260 XOF on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Lome is around 31%. This means that people spend 31% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 22% to 38% depending on salary and location.

Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 65,000 XOF per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 9,200 XOF and 430,000 XOF depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 95,000 XOF per month. That number can be get as low as 32,000 XOF or a high as 510,000 XOF. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 57,000 XOF to 1.1M XOF with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Lome

CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Lome

FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Lome

StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Lome