Cost of Living Comparison Between Bukavu and Goma Cost of Living Comparison Between Bukavu and Goma

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $781 per month in Bukavu vs $1,035 in Goma, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,151 per month in Bukavu vs $1,544 in Goma, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,520 per month in Bukavu vs $2,053 in Goma, rent included.

Bukavu is about 25% cheaper than Goma, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Bukavu and Goma are more affordable than the global median – Bukavu 42% lower, Goma 23% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.08 CDF 13.8K

$12.42 CDF 28.1K

-51.05%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.41 CDF 102.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.04 CDF 11.4K

$9.95 CDF 22.5K

-49.35%

Cappuccino

$5.06 CDF 11.4K

$3.54 CDF 8,004

42.94%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.23 CDF 2,773

$0.98 CDF 2,209

25.51%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.01 CDF 2,290

$0.98 CDF 2,224

3.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.19 CDF 4,958

$1.61 CDF 3,646

36.02%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 CDF 6,744

$4.89 CDF 11.1K

-39.06%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.49 CDF 3,360

$1.47 CDF 3,323

1.36%

White Bread (500g)

$1.97 CDF 4,454

$1.97 CDF 4,456

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 CDF 3,032

$1.57 CDF 3,541

-14.65%

Eggs

$4.03 CDF 9,116

$1.67 CDF 3,769

141.32%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.20 CDF 11.8K

$6.05 CDF 13.7K

-14.05%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.54 CDF 10.3K

$6.33 CDF 14.3K

-28.28%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.06 CDF 13.7K

$4.99 CDF 11.3K

21.44%

Apples (1kg)

$3.96 CDF 8,945

$2.04 CDF 4,616

94.12%

Banana (1kg)

$0.98 CDF 2,206

$1.96 CDF 4,423

-50.00%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.99 CDF 2,229

$1.78 CDF 4,014

-44.38%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.12 CDF 2,523

$3.09 CDF 6,980

-63.75%

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 CDF 2,886

$0.52 CDF 1,171

146.15%

Onion (1kg)

$1.98 CDF 4,469

$2.02 CDF 4,576

-1.98%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.94 CDF 6,646

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.01 CDF 4,550

$0.69 CDF 1,549

191.30%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.12 CDF 11.6K

Wine (Bottle)

$14.70 CDF 33.2K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.01 CDF 4,548

$2.04 CDF 4,616

-1.47%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.97 CDF 4,459

$2.28 CDF 5,159

-13.60%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.26 CDF 590

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$14.80 CDF 33.5K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.12 CDF 9,305

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.53 CDF 3,451

$2.02 CDF 4,566

-24.26%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.67 CDF 17.3K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.32 CDF 2,983

$1.02 CDF 2,306

29.41%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$15.2K CDF 34.3M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$17.2K CDF 38.8M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$199 CDF 448.8K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$25.14 CDF 56.8K

$14.77 CDF 33.4K

70.21%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$56.0 CDF 126.6K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.58 CDF 80.4K

$29.44 CDF 66.6K

20.86%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.88 CDF 22.3K

Cinema Ticket

$2.93 CDF 6,635

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$74.9 CDF 169.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,178 CDF 2.7M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$40.75 CDF 92.1K

$20.39 CDF 46.1K

99.85%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.43 CDF 100.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$50.9 CDF 115.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$121 CDF 274.2K

$101 CDF 229.0K

19.75%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$301 CDF 681.5K

$492 CDF 1.1M

-38.77%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$172 CDF 389.0K

$299 CDF 675.3K

-42.40%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$505 CDF 1.1M

$795 CDF 1.8M

-36.41%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$270 CDF 610.3K

$502 CDF 1.1M

-46.20%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,006 CDF 2.3M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$506 CDF 1.1M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$492 CDF 1.1M

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Bukavu: June 7, 2026

Last update for Goma: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $301 in Bukavu versus $492 in Goma. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Bukavu vs Goma: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Goma is pricier by about 32%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,172 per month in Bukavu and $1,552 in Goma. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Bukavu, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $781 in Bukavu and $1,035 in Goma. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 27% cheaper in Goma – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Bukavu, where all-in costs run around $781, than in Goma at $1,035. In Bukavu it covers expenses comfortably, while in Goma it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Bukavu – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Bukavu. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Goma makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.