Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Burkina Faso Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Burkina Faso

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,643 per month in United States vs $506 in Burkina Faso, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $849 in Burkina Faso, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,070 per month in United States vs $1,191 in Burkina Faso, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 422% higher than in Burkina Faso on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 99% 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
$19.67 $19.67
$5.22 F CFA 2,982
276.82%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.9 $73.9
$23.44 F CFA 13.4K
215.32%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.35 $11.35
$8.03 F CFA 4,591
41.34%
Cappuccino
$5.15 $5.15
$1.79 F CFA 1,020
187.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.54 $2.54
$0.79 F CFA 454
221.52%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14 $2.14
$0.55 F CFA 317
289.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.13 $6.13
$1.09 F CFA 623
462.39%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.84 $6.84
$1.90 F CFA 1,086
260.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$2.81 F CFA 1,604
-62.99%
White Bread (500g)
$3.54 $3.54
$0.91 F CFA 520
289.01%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.66 $4.66
$0.98 F CFA 557
375.51%
Eggs
$4.20 $4.20
$2.99 F CFA 1,711
40.47%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.73 $12.73
$17.82 F CFA 10.2K
-28.56%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.45 $12.45
$20.86 F CFA 11.9K
-40.32%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.15 $16.15
$12.30 F CFA 7,031
31.30%
Apples (1kg)
$5.16 $5.16
$4.31 F CFA 2,463
19.72%
Banana (1kg)
$1.72 $1.72
$1.41 F CFA 803
21.99%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.61 $4.61
$0.98 F CFA 559
370.41%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.95 $4.95
$2.38 F CFA 1,362
107.98%
Potato (1kg)
$3.01 $3.01
$2.24 F CFA 1,278
34.37%
Onion (1kg)
$3.16 $3.16
$1.35 F CFA 770
134.07%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.25 $2.25
$0.85 F CFA 488
164.71%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$1.29 F CFA 735
69.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.07 $10.07
$1.80 F CFA 1,030
459.44%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.26 $15.26
$6.04 F CFA 3,452
152.65%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.01 $2.01
$1.24 F CFA 711
62.10%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53 $3.53
$2.41 F CFA 1,375
46.47%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.45 $2.45
$0.20 F CFA 114
1125.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.3 $65.3
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.73 $3.73
$0.54 F CFA 310
590.74%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.76 $1.76
$1.60 F CFA 914
10.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.83 $29.83
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$1.46 F CFA 836
-34.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.5K $29.5K
$37.9K F CFA 21.7M
-22.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$36.4K F CFA 20.8M
-28.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$204 $204
$126 F CFA 72.1K
61.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.7 $56.7
$34.74 F CFA 19.9K
63.13%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.7 $71.7
$50.5 F CFA 28.9K
41.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.88 $45.88
$62.7 F CFA 35.8K
-26.77%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.70 $21.70
$8.78 F CFA 5,017
147.15%
Cinema Ticket
$13.96 $13.96
$8.75 F CFA 5,002
59.54%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,400 $1,400
$132 F CFA 75.7K
957.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.0K $23.0K
$17.8K F CFA 10.2M
28.86%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.3 $53.3
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.28 $42.28
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 $91.5
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,704 $1,704
$450 F CFA 257.1K
278.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,454 $1,454
$273 F CFA 156.2K
432.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,933 $2,933
$1,278 F CFA 730.7K
129.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,420 $2,420
$764 F CFA 436.7K
216.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,366 $3,366
$867 F CFA 495.7K
288.10%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,596 $2,596
$263 F CFA 150.5K
885.89%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Burkina Faso
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,392 $4,392
$580 F CFA 331.3K
657.80%
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: July 26, 2026

Last update for Burkina Faso: July 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,635 in United States vs $222 in Burkina Faso. For reference, capital cities sit at $2,575 in Washington, DC and $444 in Ouagadougou.

Average salary: $4,499 in United States vs $610 in Burkina Faso. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 636% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 508% more in United States.

Salaries are 638% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in United States.

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 542% 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 542% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Burkina Faso or in 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 to 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

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