Cost of Living in Democratic Republic of the Congo - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Address: CD

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $781 (excluding rent), and $1,398 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,014 (excluding rent), and $3,343 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.94 CDF 22.2K

$4.97 CDF 11.1K

$24.84 CDF 55.4K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$87.5 CDF 195.2K

$44.98 CDF 100.4K

$250 CDF 557.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.85 CDF 22.0K

$6.90 CDF 15.4K

$12.81 CDF 28.6K

Cappuccino

$5.40 CDF 12.1K

$2.98 CDF 6,641

$8.93 CDF 19.9K

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

$1.66 CDF 3,704

$1.02 CDF 2,286

$5.12 CDF 11.4K

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.40 CDF 3,116

$1.01 CDF 2,258

$3.03 CDF 6,773

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.98 CDF 4,416

$1.24 CDF 2,760

$4.95 CDF 11.0K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 CDF 8,163

$2.93 CDF 6,530

$4.88 CDF 10.9K

Milk (1 liter)

$2.20 CDF 4,914

$1.02 CDF 2,286

$3.07 CDF 6,857

White Bread (500g)

$1.62 CDF 3,612

$0.78 CDF 1,741

$3.69 CDF 8,226

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.15 CDF 4,791

$0.82 CDF 1,825

$3.58 CDF 7,984

Eggs

$3.27 CDF 7,296

$1.76 CDF 3,932

$4.89 CDF 10.9K

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.25 CDF 13.9K

$4.95 CDF 11.0K

$19.80 CDF 44.2K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.19 CDF 13.8K

$2.52 CDF 5,626

$18.15 CDF 40.5K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.09 CDF 20.3K

$5.05 CDF 11.3K

$14.13 CDF 31.5K

Apples (1kg)

$2.96 CDF 6,596

$1.52 CDF 3,400

$5.08 CDF 11.3K

Banana (1kg)

$1.94 CDF 4,324

$0.99 CDF 2,217

$3.97 CDF 8,869

Oranges (1kg)

$2.74 CDF 6,121

$0.99 CDF 2,218

$4.97 CDF 11.1K

Tomato (1kg)

$2.51 CDF 5,611

$0.98 CDF 2,190

$4.09 CDF 9,123

Potato (1kg)

$2.35 CDF 5,247

$0.49 CDF 1,093

$3.81 CDF 8,505

Onion (1kg)

$2.49 CDF 5,568

$2.03 CDF 4,527

$4.06 CDF 9,054

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.87 CDF 4,174

$1.01 CDF 2,256

$3.03 CDF 6,768

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.01 CDF 2,256

$0.49 CDF 1,084

$1.94 CDF 4,338

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.62 CDF 10.3K

$3.89 CDF 8,682

$5.83 CDF 13.0K

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 CDF 33.1K

$9.88 CDF 22.0K

$36.68 CDF 81.9K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.61 CDF 3,591

$0.99 CDF 2,216

$2.48 CDF 5,541

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.07 CDF 6,862

$2.05 CDF 4,575

$5.12 CDF 11.4K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.51 CDF 1,145

$0.26 CDF 572

$1.03 CDF 2,290

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$14.79 CDF 33.0K

$21.43 CDF 47.8K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.04 CDF 11.2K

$4.03 CDF 8,993

$15.11 CDF 33.7K

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.01 CDF 4,488

$1.29 CDF 2,873

$5.03 CDF 11.2K

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.17 CDF 22.7K

$5.09 CDF 11.4K

$15.26 CDF 34.1K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 CDF 3,206

$1.01 CDF 2,258

$2.02 CDF 4,515

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

$20.3K CDF 45.2M

$15.2K CDF 33.9M

$25.3K CDF 56.5M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$21.7K CDF 48.5M

$17.3K CDF 38.7M

$30.6K CDF 68.2M

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

$215 CDF 480.2K

$102 CDF 227.6K

$408 CDF 910.6K

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

$21.03 CDF 46.9K

$15.30 CDF 34.1K

$30.59 CDF 68.3K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$83.9 CDF 187.3K

$50.2 CDF 112.0K

$201 CDF 448.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$53.4 CDF 119.2K

$30.35 CDF 67.7K

$101 CDF 225.8K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.20 CDF 25.0K

$9.95 CDF 22.2K

$14.93 CDF 33.3K

Cinema Ticket

$13.98 CDF 31.2K

$9.99 CDF 22.3K

$14.98 CDF 33.4K

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

$337 CDF 752.9K

$79.1 CDF 176.6K

$791 CDF 1.8M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,737 CDF 6.1M

$1,180 CDF 2.6M

$4,917 CDF 11.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$32.47 CDF 72.5K

$14.71 CDF 32.8K

$49.02 CDF 109.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.37 CDF 90.1K

$15.14 CDF 33.8K

$60.6 CDF 135.1K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.8 CDF 160.3K

$50.7 CDF 113.2K

$101 CDF 226.4K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$99.0 CDF 221.0K

$49.20 CDF 109.8K

$118 CDF 263.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,263 CDF 2.8M

$494 CDF 1.1M

$1,976 CDF 4.4M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$373 CDF 833.1K

$253 CDF 564.8K

$658 CDF 1.5M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,765 CDF 6.2M

$2,007 CDF 4.5M

$4,515 CDF 10.1M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,052 CDF 2.3M

$351 CDF 782.4K

$2,504 CDF 5.6M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,111 CDF 9.2M

$1,007 CDF 2.2M

$5,368 CDF 12.0M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$863 CDF 1.9M

$493 CDF 1.1M

$1,479 CDF 3.3M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$593 CDF 1.3M

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

By City in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Bukavu	-	39	$642	$760	$1,275	$1,529	12.28	84.01
2	Bunia	366126		$344	$390	$809	$903	92.1	126.05
3	Goma	2000000		$539	$1,055	$1,228	$2,037	26.7	32.64
4	Kananga	1524000						8.06	168.55
5	Kinshasa	17032322	76	$935	$1,497	$2,697	$3,496	126.68	63.97
6	Kisangani	1423000						159.83	107.83
7	Lubumbashi	1139064	55	$688	$1,110	$2,009	$4,023	67.12	145.36
8	Mbuji-Mayi	1680991						61.96	283.82

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Democratic Republic of the Congo - Frequently Asked Questions

Affordability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo varies by city and lifestyle. Travelers prioritizing street food, markets, and modest guesthouses may find daily costs reasonable, while expats seeking reliable services and Western-style amenities will notice bigger gaps. Cost of Living in Democratic Republic of the Congo shifts with exchange rates and local demand, so plan with a flexible budget. Simple strategies – bargaining in markets, choosing local transport, and staying in smaller towns when possible – can lower expenses, while secure housing with dependable internet in major hubs tends to be pricier. Tip: map your must-haves, test neighborhoods briefly, and maintain a small contingency for mobility between destinations.

Daily life centers on practical choices: explore neighborhoods near markets for fresh produce, and compare rental options with attention to safety and utilities. Food ranges from vibrant street stalls to simple, home-style meals; cooking at home stretches funds while supporting dietary variety. Transport includes buses, shared taxis, and flexible ride options; factor delays and road conditions into your schedule. Co-working spaces and cafés with reliable internet exist in major cities, offering outlets for remote work. Democratic Republic of the Congo living cost varies by area, so plan a phased housing search and try different commutes. Tip: start with short stays, visit several neighborhoods, and ask locals about transit rhythms.

Build a simple budgeting framework that separates essentials from flexible spending, and revisit it monthly as you settle in. Seasonality can affect travel and transport comfort, so plan partly around predictable routines and local holidays. Prioritize a neighborhood that matches your pace and needs – good access to markets, safe streets, and reliable internet – then test a few spots before committing long-term. Embrace local habits like cooking at home, shopping at markets, and using public transit or shared rides to stretch your budget without sacrificing comfort. Tip: keep a two-track list of potential areas and compare real-world costs over a few weeks.