With its natural beauty and pristine seafront promenade, Luanda, Angola’s capital city, might once have surprised you with its high cost of living. The city is experiencing an oil boom, and due to a lack of infrastructure to support the rapid growth, there is a shortage of good-quality housing.
Fortunately, the cost of living in Luanda has now swung to the other end of the cost of living spectrum. The 2024 Mercer Cost of Living Survey ranks Luanda 158th out of the 226 cities surveyed, down from its position as 30th-most expensive in 2023.
Cost of accommodation in Luanda
The cost of accommodation in Luanda is steep, owing to a low supply of secure, quality housing in the city. Fortunately, it’s common for employers who are bringing you to Luanda on a company transfer to pay for housing.
If the cost of accommodation isn’t included in your relocation package, you will need to ensure that your salary is large enough to cover the costs yourself. In addition to rental costs, you will likely have to pay for utilities. Angola suffers frequent electricity outages and water shortages, so you must invest in backup generators and water tanks.
Cost of transport in Luanda
Angola lacks quality and safe public transport, so you will need a personal vehicle to get around. Cars in Angola can be extremely costly, though. Luckily, some companies provide a vehicle, fuel allowance and a driver. Hiring a driver is relatively affordable, and the condition of roads in Luanda and the culture of reckless driving means they are necessary.
Cost of groceries in Luanda
Food at Luanda’s bigger supermarkets, such as Candando and Shoprite, is steep as most items are imported. Regardless of whether you buy imported items or locally produced goods, items will be marked up at these high-end grocery stores.
Meat products are also highly costly, and the quality of the items is sometimes sub-par. That said, fresh produce, which is available from roadside stalls, is relatively cheap.
Cost of entertainment and eating out in Luanda
Entertainment and dining out in Luanda can be quite expensive, particularly if you are accustomed to Western standards. High-end restaurants, bars, and clubs often charge prices on par with those of cities such as London or New York. If you seek a more local experience, many affordable eateries serve traditional Angolan cuisine.
The cost of recreational activities can also vary. Museums and cultural events are generally reasonably priced, while international concerts and performances can be pricey. Movie tickets in Luanda are quite steep, so be prepared to shell out for these.
Cost of education in Luanda
If you have children, you should be prepared for high education costs. The local public school system is frequently viewed as inadequate, prompting many to opt for private or international schools. While offering a higher quality of education and more familiar curricula, these institutions come with a hefty price tag. Additional costs such as uniforms, textbooks, and extracurricular activities should also be considered.
You should negotiate an education allowance into your contract, as this is common practice for expat packages in Luanda.
Cost of healthcare in Luanda
Healthcare in Luanda is another area where you can expect to spend a significant portion of your budget. The city’s public healthcare system is under-resourced, and many prefer private medical facilities despite their high costs.
For most, comprehensive health insurance is necessary to offset these costs. As such, you should secure health insurance coverage, ideally provided by your employer as part of the relocation package. If not, the cost of your health insurance will depend on your level of coverage, lifestyle habits, and current health status.
Cost of living in Luanda chart
Prices may vary depending on the product and service provider. The list below shows average prices for Luanda in August 2024.
Accommodation (monthly rent) | |
Three-bedroom apartment in the city centre | AOA 2,500,000 |
Three-bedroom apartment outside the city centre | AOA 1,260,000 |
One-bedroom apartment in the city centre | AOA 480,000 |
One-bedroom apartment outside the city centre | AOA 255,000 |
Food and drink | |
Dozen eggs | AOA 2,200 |
Milk (1 litre) | AOA 1,600 |
Rice (1kg) | AOA 1,735 |
Loaf of white bread | AOA 1,190 |
Chicken breasts (1kg) | AOA 5,700 |
Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) | AOA 2,200 |
Eating out | |
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant | AOA 51,000 |
Big Mac Meal | AOA 6,400 |
Coca-Cola (330ml) | AOA 1,500 |
Cappuccino | AOA 3,400 |
Bottle of beer (local) | AOA 1,600 |
Utilities/household | |
Monthly phone plan (with calls and data) | AOA 19400 |
Internet (uncapped ADSL or cable – average per month) | AOA 127,000 |
Basic utilities (average per month for a standard household) | AOA 86,000 |
Transportation | |
Taxi rate/km | AOA 1,280 |
City-centre public transport fare | AOA 526 |
Gasoline/Petrol (per litre) | AOA 340 |
What do expats say about the cost of living in Luanda?
"Luanda is the most expensive city in the world for expats. Everything is approximately double or triple the prices in Europe. Fruit and vegetables can be bought from women on the street, but are not cheaper than the supermarket."
Read our interview with an anonymous expat to learn more about living in Luanda.
"The cost of living in Angola is VERY expensive. Most shopping is expensive and with poor quality and choice. Most expat companies provide additional allowances to compensate for the high cost of living though."
Learn more about British expat Chris' experiences in Angola in our interview.
Further reading
►Find out more about Moving to Luanda
►Learn more about managing your finances in this African country in Banking, Money and Taxes in Angola
Are you an expat living in Luanda?
Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Luanda. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute.
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