😐A single person spends $2,643 per month in United States vs $506 in Burkina Faso, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,856 per month in United States vs $844 in Burkina Faso, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $5,069 per month in United States vs $1,181 in Burkina Faso, rent included.
😐United States costs about 422% 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
$20.12$20.12
$5.19F CFA 2,931
287.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.9$73.9
$23.75F CFA 13.4K
210.99%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.56$11.56
$7.86F CFA 4,439
47.07%
Cappuccino
$5.09$5.09
$1.77F CFA 1,001
187.57%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58$2.58
$0.84F CFA 476
207.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15$2.15
$0.54F CFA 307
298.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.10$6.10
$1.04F CFA 587
486.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.95$6.95
$1.80F CFA 1,014
286.11%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08$1.08
$2.68F CFA 1,514
-59.70%
White Bread(500g)
$3.74$3.74
$0.92F CFA 522
306.52%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.53$4.53
$0.97F CFA 550
367.01%
Eggs
$4.43$4.43
$3.08F CFA 1,740
43.83%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.99$12.99
$17.48F CFA 9,871
-25.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.25$12.25
$20.76F CFA 11.7K
-40.99%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.17$16.17
$12.63F CFA 7,131
28.03%
Apples(1kg)
$5.31$5.31
$4.52F CFA 2,555
17.48%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64$1.64
$1.40F CFA 791
17.14%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.44$4.44
$0.98F CFA 555
353.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.03$5.03
$2.44F CFA 1,379
106.15%
Potato(1kg)
$2.98$2.98
$2.20F CFA 1,241
35.45%
Onion(1kg)
$3.03$3.03
$1.29F CFA 730
134.88%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.26$2.26
$0.87F CFA 490
159.77%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.28$2.28
$1.30F CFA 733
75.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.12$10.12
$1.78F CFA 1,007
468.54%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.94$14.94
$6.26F CFA 3,534
138.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.97$1.97
$1.28F CFA 721
53.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66$3.66
$2.34F CFA 1,320
56.41%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.43$2.43
$0.18F CFA 104
1250.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$64.7$64.7
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.83$3.83
$0.55F CFA 310
596.36%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.78$1.78
$1.60F CFA 902
11.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$30.45$30.45
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.88$0.88
$1.54F CFA 867
-42.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3K$30.3K
$37.3KF CFA 21.1M
-18.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K$25.9K
$37.7KF CFA 21.3M
-31.43%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$205$205
$124F CFA 70.2K
64.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.6$57.6
$34.69F CFA 19.6K
66.04%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.9$71.9
$49.06F CFA 27.7K
46.56%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.53$45.53
$62.7F CFA 35.4K
-27.34%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.32$22.32
$8.72F CFA 4,924
155.96%
Cinema Ticket
$13.82$13.82
$8.66F CFA 4,889
59.58%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,374$1,374
$131F CFA 74.0K
948.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$23.0K$23.0K
$17.7KF CFA 10.0M
30.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3$51.3
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.35$43.35
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$91.2$91.2
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115$115
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,761$1,761
$444F CFA 251.0K
296.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,428$1,428
$276F CFA 155.7K
417.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,843$2,843
$1,277F CFA 721.4K
122.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,380$2,380
$765F CFA 431.9K
211.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,299$3,299
$890F CFA 502.4K
270.85%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,587$2,587
$268F CFA 151.5K
864.34%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,234$4,234
$606F CFA 342.3K
598.53%
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: June 7, 2026
Last update for Burkina Faso: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $1,635 in United States vs $221 in Burkina Faso. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,583 in Washington, MI and $442 in Ouagadougou.
💰Average salary: $4,496 in United States vs $618 in Burkina Faso. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 640% higher in United States.
⭐Dining out costs 508% more in United States.
⭐Salaries are 628% 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 546% 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 546% 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