Cost of living in Luanda

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.