Skyline of Tema
Cost of Living: 95 400,000

Tema, Ghana

Ghana's largest seaport and industrial city, a planned city built around the Tema Harbour and oil refinery.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 95

Below Average vs Ghana Avg (100)

Housing Index 100

Affordable

Median Income ₵ 34,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Tema vs Ghana Average

Cost of Living
Tema: 95
Ghana Avg: 100
Housing Index
Tema: 100
Ghana Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Tema: 5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.0%
  • Sales Tax: 12.5%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: ₵ 34,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 400,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 280/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 75°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 8a

Housing

  • Median Home: ₵400,000
  • 1BR Rent: ₵1800/mo

Cost of Living

Tema's cost of living index is 95 (Ghana average = 100).

CategoryTemaNational AverageDifference
Overall95100-5.0%
Housing1001000.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price₵400,000
Median Rent (1BR)₵1800/mo
Median Rent (2BR)₵2,250/mo
Price per Sq Ft₵266

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

%
$90,000 down
%
%

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Tema:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity₵200
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)₵83Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water₵80Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)₵200Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities₵563Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Tema scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
95
Rent
₵1800
Sunny Days
280
Tax
5%
Unemployment
5.0%
Climate
88°F / 75°F
Safety
4.5 homicides/100k
Population
400,000
Internet Speed
20 Mbps

Climate

Tema has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January95°F75°F2.5"
April73°F90°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F93°F2.2"
USDA Zone 8a

Warm — citrus, avocados, tomatoes, peppers

Natural Hazards

Tema faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

River and coastal flooding.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5%
  • Sales Tax: 12.5%
  • Property Tax: ~0.2% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Tema per 100,000 residents:

60.0
Violent Crime
100.0
Property Crime
4.5
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Academic Year September to July
Term System Trimester — 1st (Sep-Dec), 2nd (Jan-Apr), 3rd (May-Jul)
Summer Break July to September (8 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (4 weeks)
Spring Break Easter holiday in March/April (2 weeks)

Christmas break is the longest holiday.

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Tema, Ghana?

The cost of living index in Tema is 95, which is Lower the Ghana national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Tema?

The median home price in Tema is ₵400,000. The housing index is 100.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Tema is approximately ₵1800/mo.

Does Tema, AA have income tax?

Tema is in AA, which has an income tax rate of 5%.

What is the climate like in Tema?

Tema enjoys approximately 280 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 75°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.