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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $755 per month in Bukavu vs $1,065 in Goma, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,145 per month in Bukavu vs $1,565 in Goma, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,534 per month in Bukavu vs $2,065 in Goma, rent included.

Bukavu is about 29% cheaper than Goma, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Bukavu and Goma are more affordable than the global median – Bukavu 43% lower, Goma 20% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.43 CDF 14.6K

$12.29 CDF 27.9K

-47.68%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.88 CDF 104.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.95 CDF 11.2K

$10.10 CDF 22.9K

-50.99%

Cappuccino

$5.08 CDF 11.5K

$3.46 CDF 7,847

46.82%

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

$1.23 CDF 2,793

$0.99 CDF 2,245

24.24%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.03 CDF 2,337

$0.98 CDF 2,233

5.10%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.23 CDF 5,054

$1.61 CDF 3,660

38.51%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.05 CDF 6,923

$5.09 CDF 11.6K

-40.08%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.52 CDF 3,453

$1.54 CDF 3,500

-1.30%

White Bread (500g)

$2.03 CDF 4,605

$1.98 CDF 4,493

2.53%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.37 CDF 3,108

$1.56 CDF 3,544

-12.18%

Eggs

$3.94 CDF 8,934

$1.70 CDF 3,853

131.76%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.27 CDF 12.0K

$5.84 CDF 13.3K

-9.76%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.60 CDF 10.4K

$6.36 CDF 14.4K

-27.67%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.89 CDF 13.4K

$4.96 CDF 11.3K

18.75%

Apples (1kg)

$4.11 CDF 9,327

$1.94 CDF 4,409

111.86%

Banana (1kg)

$1.03 CDF 2,337

$1.94 CDF 4,409

-46.91%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.03 CDF 2,338

$1.72 CDF 3,904

-40.12%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.08 CDF 2,449

$2.95 CDF 6,704

-63.39%

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 CDF 2,807

$0.52 CDF 1,191

138.46%

Onion (1kg)

$1.95 CDF 4,424

$1.99 CDF 4,507

-2.01%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.95 CDF 6,693

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.99 CDF 4,511

$0.73 CDF 1,666

172.60%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.05 CDF 11.5K

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 CDF 33.6K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.03 CDF 4,607

$1.98 CDF 4,483

2.53%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 CDF 4,418

$2.23 CDF 5,058

-12.56%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.26 CDF 595

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$14.92 CDF 33.9K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.93 CDF 8,924

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.49 CDF 3,376

$1.95 CDF 4,426

-23.59%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.63 CDF 17.3K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.39 CDF 3,147

$1.02 CDF 2,325

36.27%

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

$15.2K CDF 34.4M

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

$17.1K CDF 38.7M

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

$200 CDF 453.2K

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

$24.85 CDF 56.4K

$15.20 CDF 34.5K

63.49%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54.3 CDF 123.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.80 CDF 79.0K

$29.90 CDF 67.9K

16.39%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.91 CDF 22.5K

Cinema Ticket

$3.02 CDF 6,856

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

$74.6 CDF 169.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,199 CDF 2.7M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$40.46 CDF 91.8K

$20.30 CDF 46.1K

99.31%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.86 CDF 104.1K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$49.16 CDF 111.6K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$121 CDF 274.5K

$98.4 CDF 223.3K

22.91%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$301 CDF 683.4K

$508 CDF 1.2M

-40.75%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$172 CDF 391.1K

$306 CDF 694.2K

-43.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$506 CDF 1.1M

$804 CDF 1.8M

-37.02%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$276 CDF 625.7K

$507 CDF 1.2M

-45.62%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,019 CDF 2.3M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$508 CDF 1.2M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$499 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: July 25, 2026

Last update for Goma: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $301 in Bukavu versus $508 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 41%, 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 $1,133 per month in Bukavu and $1,597 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 $755 in Bukavu and $1,065 in Goma. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 28% 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 $755, than in Goma at $1,065. 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.