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: $389 in Bunia versus $1,026 in Goma.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $632 in Bunia versus $1,541 in Goma.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $874 in Bunia versus $2,055 in Goma.

Living in Bunia costs roughly 62% less than in Goma, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Bunia 71% lower, Goma 23% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.30 CDF 27.9K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.25 CDF 102.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.14 CDF 23.0K

Cappuccino

$3.59 CDF 8,158

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

$1.02 CDF 2,325

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.03 CDF 2,332

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.59 CDF 3,606

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.94 CDF 11.2K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 CDF 2,337

$1.46 CDF 3,320

-29.45%

White Bread (500g)

$1.95 CDF 4,429

$2.04 CDF 4,627

-4.41%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.05 CDF 4,652

$1.57 CDF 3,567

30.57%

Eggs

$3.71 CDF 8,412

$1.66 CDF 3,772

123.49%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.98 CDF 6,757

$6.02 CDF 13.7K

-50.50%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.98 CDF 11.3K

$6.30 CDF 14.3K

-20.95%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.11 CDF 11.6K

$5.09 CDF 11.6K

0.39%

Apples (1kg)

$4.93 CDF 11.2K

$1.97 CDF 4,473

150.25%

Banana (1kg)

$1.53 CDF 3,480

$2.01 CDF 4,570

-23.88%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.56 CDF 5,821

$1.71 CDF 3,884

49.71%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.05 CDF 4,648

$2.95 CDF 6,691

-30.51%

Potato (1kg)

$2.96 CDF 6,730

$0.52 CDF 1,172

469.23%

Onion (1kg)

$2.92 CDF 6,620

$1.99 CDF 4,509

46.73%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.88 CDF 8,810

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.87 CDF 1,980

$0.67 CDF 1,514

29.85%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.13 CDF 13.9K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.98 CDF 6,769

$2.05 CDF 4,651

45.37%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.03 CDF 11.4K

$2.28 CDF 5,169

120.61%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.61 CDF 15.0K

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$5.09 CDF 11.6K

$1.95 CDF 4,433

161.03%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$14.95 CDF 33.9K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.97 CDF 4,472

$1.02 CDF 2,304

93.14%

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

$200 CDF 453.7K

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

$15.23 CDF 34.6K

$14.81 CDF 33.6K

2.84%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54.7 CDF 124.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$9.94 CDF 22.6K

$30.38 CDF 69.0K

-67.28%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.28 CDF 34.7K

Cinema Ticket

$12.84 CDF 29.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,540 CDF 8.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$30.40 CDF 69.0K

$20.02 CDF 45.5K

51.85%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.50 CDF 101.0K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$55.5 CDF 126.0K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$66.2 CDF 150.2K

$101 CDF 228.3K

-34.19%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 CDF 1.1M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$305 CDF 692.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$814 CDF 1.8M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$501 CDF 1.1M

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

Last update for Bunia: June 1, 2026

Last update for Goma: June 1, 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 164% in total monthly costs ($389 vs $1,026 including rent). Bunia is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $583 in Bunia and $1,540 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 20% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.

All in, you'll spend $389 per month in Bunia versus $1,026 in Goma – a 164% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $389 in Bunia versus $1,026 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 164% less than in Goma. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.