Cost of Living Comparison Between Goma and Kinshasa Cost of Living Comparison Between Goma and Kinshasa

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,026 per month in Goma vs $1,504 in Kinshasa, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,541 per month in Goma vs $2,504 in Kinshasa, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,055 per month in Goma vs $3,504 in Kinshasa, rent included.

Goma is about 32% cheaper than Kinshasa, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Goma sits 23% below the global median, while Kinshasa is 12% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.30 CDF 27.9K

$15.05 CDF 34.2K

-18.27%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.25 CDF 102.7K

$87.0 CDF 197.6K

-48.01%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.14 CDF 23.0K

$12.81 CDF 29.1K

-20.84%

Cappuccino

$3.59 CDF 8,158

$6.04 CDF 13.7K

-40.56%

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

$1.02 CDF 2,325

$1.87 CDF 4,234

-45.45%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.03 CDF 2,332

$1.51 CDF 3,423

-31.79%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.59 CDF 3,606

$2.02 CDF 4,586

-21.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.94 CDF 11.2K

$3.91 CDF 8,885

26.34%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.46 CDF 3,320

$2.65 CDF 6,013

-44.91%

White Bread (500g)

$2.04 CDF 4,627

$1.44 CDF 3,262

41.67%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.57 CDF 3,567

$2.41 CDF 5,462

-34.85%

Eggs

$1.66 CDF 3,772

$3.58 CDF 8,138

-53.63%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.02 CDF 13.7K

$6.29 CDF 14.3K

-4.29%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.30 CDF 14.3K

$8.75 CDF 19.9K

-28.00%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.09 CDF 11.6K

$10.66 CDF 24.2K

-52.25%

Apples (1kg)

$1.97 CDF 4,473

$2.76 CDF 6,256

-28.62%

Banana (1kg)

$2.01 CDF 4,570

$2.29 CDF 5,205

-12.23%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.71 CDF 3,884

$3.65 CDF 8,288

-53.15%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.95 CDF 6,691

$2.84 CDF 6,437

3.87%

Potato (1kg)

$0.52 CDF 1,172

$2.81 CDF 6,387

-81.49%

Onion (1kg)

$1.99 CDF 4,509

$3.22 CDF 7,311

-38.20%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.35 CDF 3,071

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.67 CDF 1,514

$0.80 CDF 1,815

-16.25%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.52 CDF 10.3K

Wine (Bottle)

$15.92 CDF 36.1K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.05 CDF 4,651

$1.71 CDF 3,893

19.88%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 CDF 5,169

$4.36 CDF 9,897

-47.71%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.48 CDF 1,081

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$21.41 CDF 48.6K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.35 CDF 12.1K

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.95 CDF 4,433

$1.26 CDF 2,856

54.76%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.02 CDF 11.4K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.02 CDF 2,304

$1.40 CDF 3,180

-27.14%

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

$45.0K CDF 102.2M

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

$200 CDF 453.7K

$87.9 CDF 199.6K

127.28%

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

$14.81 CDF 33.6K

$27.41 CDF 62.2K

-45.97%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54.7 CDF 124.2K

$91.0 CDF 206.6K

-39.88%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.38 CDF 69.0K

$73.3 CDF 166.3K

-58.53%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.85 CDF 49.6K

Cinema Ticket

$15.21 CDF 34.5K

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

$733 CDF 1.7M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,788 CDF 10.9M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.02 CDF 45.5K

$45.66 CDF 103.7K

-56.15%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.11 CDF 88.8K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$114 CDF 257.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$101 CDF 228.3K

$102 CDF 231.3K

-1.31%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 CDF 1.1M

$1,634 CDF 3.7M

-69.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$305 CDF 692.4K

$466 CDF 1.1M

-34.50%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$814 CDF 1.8M

$3,111 CDF 7.1M

-73.83%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$501 CDF 1.1M

$1,073 CDF 2.4M

-53.33%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,920 CDF 11.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,236 CDF 2.8M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$353 CDF 801.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Goma: June 1, 2026

Last update for Kinshasa: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Goma versus $1,634 in Kinshasa. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Goma versus $87.0 in Kinshasa. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $185 vs $295 – making Goma the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Kinshasa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Kinshasa costs about 47% more than Goma, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,540 per month in Goma and $2,256 in Kinshasa. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Goma, 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 $1,026 in Goma and $1,504 in Kinshasa. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 60% more in Kinshasa, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Goma, where all-in costs run around $1,026, than in Kinshasa at $1,504. In Goma it covers expenses comfortably, while in Kinshasa it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Goma – 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 Goma. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Kinshasa makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.