Cost of Living Comparison Between Bunia and Goma Cost of Living Comparison Between Bunia and Goma

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $391 in Bunia versus $1,062 in Goma.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $637 in Bunia versus $1,573 in Goma.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $882 in Bunia versus $2,083 in Goma.

Living in Bunia costs roughly 63% less than in Goma, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Bunia 71% lower, Goma 20% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.65 CDF 28.4K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.45 CDF 102.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.88 CDF 22.2K

Cappuccino

$3.41 CDF 7,667

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

$0.99 CDF 2,215

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.02 CDF 2,294

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.64 CDF 3,680

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.09 CDF 11.4K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.02 CDF 2,292

$1.46 CDF 3,279

-30.14%

White Bread (500g)

$1.98 CDF 4,444

$2.03 CDF 4,561

-2.46%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.95 CDF 4,374

$1.56 CDF 3,498

25.00%

Eggs

$3.70 CDF 8,312

$1.69 CDF 3,806

118.93%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.04 CDF 6,827

$6.02 CDF 13.5K

-49.50%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.89 CDF 11.0K

$6.32 CDF 14.2K

-22.63%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.87 CDF 11.0K

$5.15 CDF 11.6K

-5.44%

Apples (1kg)

$4.93 CDF 11.1K

$1.97 CDF 4,434

150.25%

Banana (1kg)

$1.47 CDF 3,312

$2.03 CDF 4,570

-27.59%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.45 CDF 5,502

$1.70 CDF 3,815

44.12%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.04 CDF 4,586

$3.06 CDF 6,874

-33.33%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 CDF 6,570

$0.48 CDF 1,080

508.33%

Onion (1kg)

$3.07 CDF 6,893

$1.98 CDF 4,450

55.05%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.89 CDF 8,738

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.88 CDF 1,979

$0.72 CDF 1,615

22.22%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.83 CDF 13.1K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.08 CDF 6,911

$1.97 CDF 4,436

56.35%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.98 CDF 11.2K

$2.22 CDF 4,978

124.32%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.75 CDF 15.2K

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.99 CDF 11.2K

$2.02 CDF 4,532

147.03%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$15.29 CDF 34.3K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.95 CDF 4,377

$1.02 CDF 2,284

91.18%

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

$200 CDF 448.9K

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

$15.12 CDF 34.0K

$14.86 CDF 33.4K

1.75%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$55.9 CDF 125.6K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$9.81 CDF 22.0K

$29.84 CDF 67.0K

-67.12%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.26 CDF 34.3K

Cinema Ticket

$12.86 CDF 28.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,448 CDF 7.7M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$29.60 CDF 66.5K

$19.77 CDF 44.4K

49.72%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.13 CDF 101.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$54.3 CDF 122.0K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$65.2 CDF 146.4K

$100 CDF 225.8K

-35.15%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$501 CDF 1.1M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$299 CDF 671.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$795 CDF 1.8M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$507 CDF 1.1M

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

Last update for Bunia: July 13, 2026

Last update for Goma: July 13, 2026

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

Bunia vs Goma: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Bunia and Goma differ by about 171% in total monthly costs ($391 vs $1,062 including rent). Bunia is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $587 in Bunia and $1,594 in Goma to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Shoppers in Goma pay roughly 19% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.

All in, you'll spend $391 per month in Bunia versus $1,062 in Goma – a 171% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $391 in Bunia versus $1,062 in Goma, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Bunia but tight or insufficient in Goma. The gap between the two cities makes Bunia the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Expats usually find Bunia gentler on the wallet – expenses run 171% less than in Goma. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.