😐A single person spends $2,643 per month in United States vs $513 in Burkina Faso, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $837 in Burkina Faso, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $5,071 per month in United States vs $1,160 in Burkina Faso, rent included.
😐United States costs about 415% more than Burkina Faso on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊United States sits 97% above the global median, while Burkina Faso is 62% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.23$20.23
$5.21F CFA 2,921
288.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.3$74.3
$23.94F CFA 13.4K
210.36%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.29$11.29
$7.84F CFA 4,394
44.01%
Cappuccino
$5.12$5.12
$1.79F CFA 1,003
186.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.54$2.54
$0.79F CFA 444
221.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12$2.12
$0.59F CFA 333
259.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.84$5.84
$1.03F CFA 576
466.99%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.86$6.86
$1.80F CFA 1,006
281.11%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.03$1.03
$2.84F CFA 1,593
-63.73%
White Bread(500g)
$3.73$3.73
$0.98F CFA 551
280.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.51$4.51
$0.98F CFA 547
360.20%
Eggs
$4.30$4.30
$2.95F CFA 1,651
45.76%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.16$13.16
$17.41F CFA 9,755
-24.41%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.40$12.40
$21.28F CFA 11.9K
-41.73%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.19$16.19
$12.33F CFA 6,906
31.31%
Apples(1kg)
$5.33$5.33
$4.32F CFA 2,418
23.38%
Banana(1kg)
$1.73$1.73
$1.40F CFA 786
23.57%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.56$4.56
$1.01F CFA 566
351.49%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.88$4.88
$2.41F CFA 1,352
102.49%
Potato(1kg)
$2.87$2.87
$2.24F CFA 1,257
28.12%
Onion(1kg)
$3.10$3.10
$1.32F CFA 738
134.85%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.24$2.24
$0.84F CFA 473
166.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.26$2.26
$1.35F CFA 755
67.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.07$10.07
$1.72F CFA 965
485.47%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.27$15.27
$6.06F CFA 3,397
151.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.00$2.00
$1.29F CFA 723
55.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.52$3.52
$2.40F CFA 1,345
46.67%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.57$2.57
$0.17F CFA 95.0
1411.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$66.0$66.0
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.74$3.74
$0.50F CFA 282
648.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.70$1.70
$1.54F CFA 862
10.39%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$30.03$30.03
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.93$0.93
$1.53F CFA 856
-39.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.2K$30.2K
$37.5KF CFA 21.0M
-19.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.0K$26.0K
$37.4KF CFA 21.0M
-30.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$206$206
$128F CFA 71.9K
60.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.1$57.1
$34.73F CFA 19.5K
64.30%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$73.2$73.2
$50.9F CFA 28.5K
43.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.50$46.50
$62.7F CFA 35.1K
-25.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.07$22.07
$8.96F CFA 5,020
146.32%
Cinema Ticket
$14.14$14.14
$8.67F CFA 4,857
63.09%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,371$1,371
$131F CFA 73.4K
947.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$22.8K$22.8K
$17.2KF CFA 9.7M
32.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3$51.3
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.27$42.27
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.9$89.9
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114$114
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,740$1,740
$443F CFA 248.0K
293.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,409$1,409
$276F CFA 154.5K
410.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,912$2,912
$1,280F CFA 717.1K
127.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,377$2,377
$763F CFA 427.5K
211.54%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,412$3,412
$561F CFA 314.5K
507.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,669$2,669
$194F CFA 108.8K
1274.50%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,242$4,242
$616F CFA 345.2K
588.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.51
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for United States: April 28, 2026
Last update for Burkina Faso: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $1,635 in United States vs $218 in Burkina Faso. For reference, capital cities sit at $2,512 in Washington, DC and $436 in Ouagadougou.
💰Average salary: $4,494 in United States vs $479 in Burkina Faso. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 650% higher in United States.
⭐Dining out costs 508% more in United States.
⭐Salaries are 838% higher in United States, giving United States stronger purchasing power.
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
United States vs Burkina Faso: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burkina Faso more expensive than United States?
Burkina Faso is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 527% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Burkina Faso, contributing to the overall 527% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Burkina Faso or United States?
$1,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Burkina Faso, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Burkina Faso or United States?
Burkina Faso is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.
United States vs other spots: cost of living compared