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

Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

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

Goma costs about 41% more than Bukavu, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.29 CDF 27.9K

$6.43 CDF 14.6K

91.14%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.88 CDF 104.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.10 CDF 22.9K

$4.95 CDF 11.2K

104.04%

Cappuccino

$3.46 CDF 7,847

$5.08 CDF 11.5K

-31.89%

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

$0.99 CDF 2,245

$1.23 CDF 2,793

-19.51%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.98 CDF 2,233

$1.03 CDF 2,337

-4.85%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.61 CDF 3,660

$2.23 CDF 5,054

-27.80%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.09 CDF 11.6K

$3.05 CDF 6,923

66.89%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.54 CDF 3,500

$1.52 CDF 3,453

1.32%

White Bread (500g)

$1.98 CDF 4,493

$2.03 CDF 4,605

-2.46%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.56 CDF 3,544

$1.37 CDF 3,108

13.87%

Eggs

$1.70 CDF 3,853

$3.94 CDF 8,934

-56.85%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.84 CDF 13.3K

$5.27 CDF 12.0K

10.82%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.36 CDF 14.4K

$4.60 CDF 10.4K

38.26%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.96 CDF 11.3K

$5.89 CDF 13.4K

-15.79%

Apples (1kg)

$1.94 CDF 4,409

$4.11 CDF 9,327

-52.80%

Banana (1kg)

$1.94 CDF 4,409

$1.03 CDF 2,337

88.35%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.72 CDF 3,904

$1.03 CDF 2,338

66.99%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.95 CDF 6,704

$1.08 CDF 2,449

173.15%

Potato (1kg)

$0.52 CDF 1,191

$1.24 CDF 2,807

-58.06%

Onion (1kg)

$1.99 CDF 4,507

$1.95 CDF 4,424

2.05%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.95 CDF 6,693

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.73 CDF 1,666

$1.99 CDF 4,511

-63.32%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.05 CDF 11.5K

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 CDF 33.6K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.98 CDF 4,483

$2.03 CDF 4,607

-2.46%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.23 CDF 5,058

$1.95 CDF 4,418

14.36%

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)

$1.95 CDF 4,426

$1.49 CDF 3,376

30.87%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.63 CDF 17.3K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.02 CDF 2,325

$1.39 CDF 3,147

-26.62%

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)

$15.20 CDF 34.5K

$24.85 CDF 56.4K

-38.83%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54.3 CDF 123.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.90 CDF 67.9K

$34.80 CDF 79.0K

-14.08%

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)

$20.30 CDF 46.1K

$40.46 CDF 91.8K

-49.83%

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

$98.4 CDF 223.3K

$121 CDF 274.5K

-18.64%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$508 CDF 1.2M

$301 CDF 683.4K

68.79%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$306 CDF 694.2K

$172 CDF 391.1K

77.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$804 CDF 1.8M

$506 CDF 1.1M

58.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$507 CDF 1.2M

$276 CDF 625.7K

83.88%

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 Goma: July 27, 2026

Last update for Bukavu: July 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $508 in Goma versus $301 in Bukavu. 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

Goma vs Bukavu: 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 $1,597 per month in Goma and $1,133 in Bukavu. 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 $1,065 in Goma and $755 in Bukavu. 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.