Updated October 2026
The cost of living in Luanda in 2026 is driven above all by rent and schooling: crowd-sourced estimates put a one-bedroom apartment in the city center at about 350,000 AOA a month and a three-bedroom at around 1.95 million AOA, while an international primary school can cost more than 12 million AOA a year. Everyday food and local transport are far cheaper by comparison, though imported goods carry a premium. Below are sourced estimates for rent, groceries, transport, schools and utilities, with notes on how reliable each figure is.
How to read these numbers
There is no official cost-of-living survey for expats in Luanda, so this guide combines three types of source, each labeled:
- Official prices set by the state, such as fuel, which are reliable but change as subsidies are removed.
- Crowd-sourced estimates from Numbeo, last updated in June 2026 from 12 contributors over the previous 12 months. The sample is small, so treat these as rough guides, not market rates.
- Market reports and official statistics, such as the AngoCasa real estate report and inflation data from INE, Angola’s national statistics institute.
All figures are in kwanzas (AOA). Exchange rates move, so convert at the current official rate published by the BNA (Banco Nacional de Angola) rather than an old figure. For context, INE reported year-on-year inflation of 8.78% in August 2026, down about 10 percentage points from August 2025, so prices are still rising but more slowly than in recent years.
Note: Many expats in Luanda pay little or nothing for housing, schooling or transport because their employer covers them. Before you budget, list which costs your package pays directly and which come out of your salary.
Rent: the biggest cost
Rent varies hugely by neighborhood, building quality and whether the property is in a gated condominium with security, generators and water storage. These are Numbeo’s crowd-sourced averages (June 2026):
| Apartment | City center (estimate, AOA/month) | Outside center (estimate, AOA/month) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | about 350,000 | about 183,000 |
| 3 bedrooms | about 1,950,000 | about 965,000 |
Two things to keep in mind. First, these averages mix ordinary local rentals with expat-grade housing, and properties in secure compounds in Talatona, Miramar or along the Marginal typically sit well above them. Second, rents are rising: AngoCasa’s Prestige Properties Angola 2026 report, covered in the press in May 2026, estimated annual rent increases of 20% to 30% in several areas of the capital during 2025 and early 2026. It noted strong high-income demand in Talatona and fast take-up in Kilamba, Camama and Viana.
Budget also for upfront payments. Landlords in Luanda often ask for several months of rent in advance plus a deposit, and some quote prices in US dollars. Get every payment term in writing. Our guide to renting an apartment in Luanda covers neighborhoods, leases and deposits in detail.
Food and groceries
Local produce and staples are affordable; imported brands, cheese, wine and specialty foods cost much more, especially in supermarkets in Talatona and the center. Numbeo’s June 2026 estimates:
| Item | Estimate (AOA) |
|---|---|
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | about 5,000 |
| Three-course meal for two, mid-range restaurant | about 33,500 |
| Fast-food combo meal | about 6,000 |
| Cappuccino | about 2,400 |
| Milk, 1 liter | about 1,800 |
| Eggs, 12 | about 1,700 |
| Chicken fillets, 1 lb (about 450 g) | about 1,400 |
| Beef, 1 lb (about 450 g) | about 3,200 |
| Rice, 1 lb (about 450 g) | about 680 |
| Bananas, 1 lb (about 450 g) | about 400 |
Food is also the biggest driver of inflation: INE’s August 2026 data showed food and non-alcoholic beverages rising 9.94% year on year, above the headline rate. To keep grocery bills down:
- Buy fruit, vegetables and fish at local markets and from street vendors you trust.
- Choose local or regional brands over imported European ones.
- Stock up on imported items you rely on when you see them; availability can be patchy.
Transport
Fuel
Fuel prices are set by the state and are being raised gradually as subsidies are removed under the supervision of the IRDP, the petroleum products regulator. At the time of writing, gasoline costs 300 AOA per liter and diesel rose to 420 AOA per liter on 14 June 2026. Further increases are likely, so check the latest IRDP announcement.
Getting around
- Car and driver: the most common setup for expats, often provided by the employer. If you hire your own driver, factor in salary (at least the national minimum wage of 100,000 AOA per month), INSS contributions and overtime.
- Ride-hailing: apps such as Yango operate in Luanda and are a practical option for short trips. Numbeo estimates a taxi start fare of about 1,000 AOA plus about 1,300 AOA per kilometer.
- Candongueiros: the blue-and-white shared minibuses are very cheap and widely used, but crowded and not recommended for newcomers who do not speak Portuguese or know the routes.
Traffic adds a hidden cost. A home in Talatona with an office downtown can mean long commutes at peak hours, so weigh time as well as money when you choose where to live.
Schools and childcare
For families, school fees can rival rent. Numbeo’s crowd-sourced estimate for an international primary school is about 12.2 million AOA per year, and about 700,000 AOA per month for preschool or kindergarten. Actual fees vary a lot between schools and grade levels, and many international schools add application, registration or capital fees on top of tuition.
Luanda International School (LIS) publishes its 2026/27 fee schedule on its enrollment page; other international and Portuguese-curriculum schools quote fees on request. Always ask for the full annual cost, including transport, meals, uniforms and exam fees. See our guide to international schools in Luanda for curricula and admissions.
Utilities, internet and other monthly costs
| Item | Estimate (AOA/month) |
|---|---|
| Basic utilities (electricity, water, garbage) for an 85 m² apartment | about 93,000 |
| Home internet | about 71,000 |
| Mobile plan with calls and data | about 16,400 |
| Gym membership | about 41,700 |
Source: Numbeo crowd-sourced estimates, June 2026.
Two costs are easy to miss. Power cuts mean many homes rely on a generator, so ask whether diesel for the generator is included in the rent or the condominium fee. Water supply can also be irregular, and some buildings depend on storage tanks refilled by truck. Bottled drinking water is a regular expense, since tap water is not generally considered safe to drink.
Building your monthly budget
- Start with what your employer pays directly: housing, school, car, driver, flights, health cover.
- Add rent and deposits if housing is not covered, using a premium on the averages above for secure, expat-grade property.
- Add school fees per child from the school’s own fee schedule.
- Add food, utilities, generator fuel, internet and mobile.
- Add a margin for inflation and price changes in fuel and imports.
- Work out your take-home pay after IRT and INSS with our salary calculator (in Portuguese).
For the bigger picture on visas, contracts and expat packages, read our guide to working in Angola as an expat.
Frequently asked questions
Is Luanda still one of the most expensive cities in the world?
Luanda topped expat cost-of-living rankings in the mid-2010s, when the kwanza was much stronger. After major devaluations it no longer appears at the top of recent rankings, but expat-grade housing, international schools and imported goods remain expensive.
How much does a one-bedroom apartment cost in Luanda?
Numbeo’s crowd-sourced estimate for June 2026 is about 350,000 AOA a month in the center and about 183,000 AOA outside it. Secure, furnished apartments in expat areas usually cost considerably more.
Are prices in Luanda quoted in dollars or kwanzas?
Everyday prices are in kwanzas. Some landlords, schools and service providers quote in US dollars, so check which currency the contract uses and how exchange rate changes are handled.
Is food expensive in Luanda?
Local staples and market produce are affordable; imported products are expensive. Food prices rose 9.94% in the year to August 2026, according to INE.
Sources: Numbeo – Cost of living in Luanda (June 2026); INE – Instituto Nacional de Estatística; RNA – August 2026 inflation; IRDP diesel price adjustment, June 2026 (press report); Forbes África Lusófona – AngoCasa 2026 rental market report; Luanda International School – enrollment and fees; Banco Nacional de Angola – exchange rates.
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