By: Nick Callos
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Remote work went mainstream during the Covid-19 pandemic, and it appears the trend is here to stay. According to an Upwork study, 22% of the workforce will be fully remote by 2025.
Working remotely not only offers work-life balance and flexibility, but it also presents a one-of-a-kind financial opportunity known as geoarbitrage.
With location-independent work, remote employees can utilize geoarbitrage by living somewhere that’s cheaper while maintaining their job in another city that has a higher cost of living. The benefits are clear:
- You save money by living in a city or town with a lower cost of living.
- You earn the same salary by working for a company in a city or town with a higher cost of living.
To understand the potential, consider this example: You’re a software developer working for a company in San Francisco. Instead of living in San Francisco, you live in Johannesburg, South Africa. You get the Bay Area salary with a South African cost of living.
Think of how much more money you could save.
By leveraging geoarbitrage, you can increase savings, achieve financial freedom sooner, and accelerate your path to semi-retirement or retirement. Sounds amazing, right?
If we’ve piqued your interest, the next question is: Where should you live?
How about Africa?
There’s nowhere like the Mother Continent. It’s where human history, civilization and culture began. From the pyramids of Egypt and bustling streets of Lagos to the Kenya bush and beaches of Tanzania, Africa amazes from end to end. The continent offers a diversity of cultures, traditions, landscapes, lifestyles and opportunities, and you’ll definitely find a place you’d love to call home here.
In our geoarbitrage guide, we cover everything about geographic arbitrage, from choosing a destination to renting a home in your new city. In this article, we’ll help you with selecting a destination in Africa.
Read on to learn about the best geoarbitrage cities in Africa.
Why You Should Choose Africa for Geoarbitrage
Many of Africa’s great cities and towns have low or reasonable living costs while still providing a high quality of life. These cities boast rich traditions and cultural activities, excellent entertainment and activities, and solid infrastructure (healthcare, education, transportation, etc). The Mother Continent has an incredible diversity of options too. Whether you love nature or nightlife (or both), you’ll find your home here.
- Read our guide on the Best Digital Nomad Cities.
Just consider the potential of geoarbitrage in Africa: You work for an insurance firm in London, making a big-city wage. But you live in Addis Ababa, enjoying the city’s museums, markets, cafes and more. Your rent in Addis Ababa would be roughly one-fourth of what it was in London. That means 3 months of rent in London would equal a full year’s worth of rent in Addis Ababa.
Without a doubt, the financial opportunity is huge.
Now, let’s introduce the best geoarbitrage cities in Africa. See which destinations interest you, and start planning your move!
Cape Town, South Africa
Average Rent
- City Center: $765 (1-Bedroom) up to $1,512 (3-Bedroom)
- Outside City Center: $505 (1-Bedroom) up to $1,012 (3-Bedroom)
Consider This Cost of Living Comparison:
According to Numbeo data, consumer prices, including rent, are 270% higher in New York City than in Cape Town. Making $80,000 annually in Cape Town will yield a similar standard of living as making $296,000 annually in New York City.
Why It’s Among the Best Geoarbitrage Cities in Africa:
A blend of cultures, languages, and traditions, Cape Town boasts stunning landscapes, charming cafes, lively nightlife, and all the amenities of a modern city you could need. The city regularly ranks at the top for quality of life in Africa. Sitting at the foothills of Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town is simply a beautiful place to settle down and live the good life.
Nairobi, Kenya
Photo by Dwayne joe on Unsplash
Average Rent
- City Center: $444 (1-Bedroom) up to $1,036 (3-Bedroom)
- Outside City Center: $184 (1-Bedroom) up to $443 (3-Bedroom)
Consider This Cost of Living Comparison:
The cost of living is 237% higher in Los Angeles than in Nairobi (Numbeo data). Making $80,000 annually in Nairobi will provide a similar lifestyle to making $269,600 annually in Los Angeles.
Why It’s Among the Best Geoarbitrage Cities in Africa:
Rich in culture and history, Nairobi is East Africa’s most cosmopolitan city, with a quality of life level that’s among the best on the continent. A welcoming atmosphere, delicious cuisine, modern amenities, and great entertainment make adjusting to life here seamless. Whether you want to spend the day working at a cafe or seeing giraffes up close, Nairobi comes ready to please.
Accra, Ghana
Photo by Nana Kwandoh on Unsplash
Average Rent
- City Center: $627 (1-Bedroom) up to $1,428 (3-Bedroom)
- Outside City Center: $116 (1-Bedroom) up to $321 (3-Bedroom)
Consider This Cost of Living Comparison:
The cost of living is 192% higher in Singapore than in Accra, according to Numbeo data. Making $80,000 annually in Accra will offer a comparable standard of living as earning $233,600 annually in Singapore.
Why It’s Among the Best Geoarbitrage Cities in Africa:
Whether you’re viewing colonial buildings or skyscrapers, touring bustling Makola Market, or chilling on Bojo Beach, Accra will stimulate your senses and sweep you away. Accessible, safe, and affordable, Accra offers a cozy yet adventurous life for expats. A melting pot of cultures, there’s something for everyone here, from history buffs and tech gurus to beachgoers and foodies.
Tangier, Morocco
Photo by Raúl Cacho Oses on Unsplash
Average Rent
- City Center: $388 (1-Bedroom) up to $726 (3-Bedroom)
- Outside City Center: $218 (1-Bedroom) up to $439 (3-Bedroom)
Consider This Cost of Living Comparison:
The cost of living is 182% higher in Paris than in Tangier, according to Numbeo data. Making $80,000 annually in Tangier will yield a similar standard of living as making $225,600 annually in Paris.
Why It’s Among the Best Geoarbitrage Cities in Africa:
Long known as Europe’s gateway to Africa, Tangier seduces you immediately. Whether you’re sipping mint tea as you look out upon the Mediterranean Sea or strolling through a busy souk, Tangier fascinates and leaves you wanting more. The city provides unspoiled beaches, a world-famous cafe scene, plenty of entertainment, iconic cultural sites such as the Old Kasbah, and one of the best quality of life rankings across all of Africa. As soon as you touch down, you’ll understand why Tangier has long been a favorite destination among global nomads, literary giants, artists, and others.
Port Louis, Mauritius
Photo by Simisa at Wikimedia Commons
Average Rent
- City Center: $462 (1-Bedroom) up to $7673 (3-Bedroom)
- Outside City Center: $375 (1-Bedroom) up to $649 (3-Bedroom)
Consider This Cost of Living Comparison:
The cost of living is 132% higher in Toronto than in Port Louis, according to Numbeo data. Making $80,000 annually in Port Louis will yield a similar standard of living as making $185,600 annually in Toronto.
Why It’s Among the Best Geoarbitrage Cities in Africa:
Mauritius’ capital city offers a delightful blend of Africa, China, India, Europe, and the Middle East. With the Indian Ocean in front of you and the mountains behind, Port Louis is also a picturesque place to live. Affordable, and safe, the island city is great for those who enjoy a laid-back pace and outdoor adventures. Mercer has consistently rated Port Louis as a top destination in Africa for expats, thanks to solid ratings for economic environment, social stability, and health and public services. Simply put, Port Louis is a great place for digital nomads to settle down for a bit.
Finding the Best Geoarbitrage City in Africa
This list of the best geoarbitrage cities in Africa highlights affordable cities with a high quality of life. This isn’t a complete list, as there are many other great cities across the Mother Continent to call home.
When selecting a destination in Africa, think about what sort of lifestyle you want. The continent is diverse and offers a breadth of experiences. Consider preferences for climate, culture, entertainment, activities, politics, and more. Additionally, calculate your budget to ensure you’re financially prepared. And make sure to obtain your digital nomad or remote work visa if needed before going.
The perfect geoarbitrage city will differ for everyone, and this article is meant to get you started. For more inspiration, and to start planning your move, read our other geographic arbitrage resources:
- The Ultimate Guide to Geoarbitrage
- Using Geographic Arbitrage to Beat Inflation
- Digital Nomad Work Visas
About the Author
Nick Callos has always had a passion for reading, writing, and discovering the new and unknown. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Nick holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Boston College. He currently splits his time between his hometown, Chengdu, China, and the open road. A full-time travel writer, Nick hopes his work can inspire others to explore the world more deeply and enjoy the digital nomad lifestyle.
Featured image by kylefromthenorth™️ on Unsplash
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