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 $809 (excluding rent), and $1,386 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,033 (excluding rent), and $3,277 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.10 CDF 22.4K

$5.05 CDF 11.2K

$25.26 CDF 56.0K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$87.4 CDF 193.7K

$44.96 CDF 99.6K

$250 CDF 553.3K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.92 CDF 22.0K

$6.94 CDF 15.4K

$12.89 CDF 28.6K

Cappuccino

$5.55 CDF 12.3K

$3.05 CDF 6,767

$9.16 CDF 20.3K

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

$1.65 CDF 3,652

$1.02 CDF 2,254

$5.09 CDF 11.3K

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.39 CDF 3,081

$1.01 CDF 2,233

$3.02 CDF 6,698

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.06 CDF 4,561

$1.29 CDF 2,850

$5.15 CDF 11.4K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.85 CDF 8,521

$3.08 CDF 6,817

$5.13 CDF 11.4K

Milk (1 liter)

$2.19 CDF 4,849

$1.02 CDF 2,255

$3.05 CDF 6,766

White Bread (500g)

$1.71 CDF 3,783

$0.82 CDF 1,823

$3.89 CDF 8,615

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.16 CDF 4,788

$0.82 CDF 1,824

$3.60 CDF 7,979

Eggs

$3.26 CDF 7,221

$1.76 CDF 3,891

$4.88 CDF 10.8K

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.17 CDF 13.7K

$4.89 CDF 10.8K

$19.54 CDF 43.3K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.96 CDF 13.2K

$2.43 CDF 5,379

$17.48 CDF 38.7K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.22 CDF 20.4K

$5.12 CDF 11.3K

$14.34 CDF 31.8K

Apples (1kg)

$2.86 CDF 6,340

$1.48 CDF 3,268

$4.92 CDF 10.9K

Banana (1kg)

$1.94 CDF 4,296

$0.99 CDF 2,203

$3.98 CDF 8,812

Oranges (1kg)

$2.84 CDF 6,282

$1.03 CDF 2,276

$5.14 CDF 11.4K

Tomato (1kg)

$2.47 CDF 5,483

$0.97 CDF 2,140

$4.02 CDF 8,915

Potato (1kg)

$2.43 CDF 5,381

$0.51 CDF 1,121

$3.94 CDF 8,721

Onion (1kg)

$2.41 CDF 5,341

$1.96 CDF 4,343

$3.92 CDF 8,685

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.83 CDF 4,062

$0.99 CDF 2,196

$2.97 CDF 6,587

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 CDF 2,328

$0.51 CDF 1,119

$2.02 CDF 4,477

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.85 CDF 10.7K

$4.08 CDF 9,047

$6.13 CDF 13.6K

Wine (Bottle)

$14.75 CDF 32.7K

$9.83 CDF 21.8K

$36.51 CDF 80.9K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.64 CDF 3,637

$1.01 CDF 2,245

$2.53 CDF 5,613

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 CDF 6,608

$1.99 CDF 4,406

$4.97 CDF 11.0K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.48 CDF 1,068

$0.24 CDF 534

$0.96 CDF 2,136

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$14.80 CDF 32.8K

$21.45 CDF 47.5K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.99 CDF 11.1K

$3.99 CDF 8,843

$14.97 CDF 33.2K

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.02 CDF 4,471

$1.29 CDF 2,861

$5.05 CDF 11.2K

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.87 CDF 21.9K

$4.93 CDF 10.9K

$14.80 CDF 32.8K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 CDF 3,197

$1.02 CDF 2,251

$2.03 CDF 4,502

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

$20.3K CDF 45.0M

$15.2K CDF 33.7M

$25.4K CDF 56.2M

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

$21.3K CDF 47.3M

$17.0K CDF 37.7M

$30.0K CDF 66.5M

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

$212 CDF 470.6K

$101 CDF 223.1K

$403 CDF 892.3K

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

$20.66 CDF 45.8K

$15.03 CDF 33.3K

$30.06 CDF 66.6K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$84.7 CDF 187.7K

$50.7 CDF 112.2K

$203 CDF 449.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$52.2 CDF 115.7K

$29.69 CDF 65.8K

$99.0 CDF 219.2K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.41 CDF 25.3K

$10.15 CDF 22.5K

$15.22 CDF 33.7K

Cinema Ticket

$14.28 CDF 31.6K

$10.20 CDF 22.6K

$15.30 CDF 33.9K

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

$339 CDF 750.9K

$79.5 CDF 176.1K

$795 CDF 1.8M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,793 CDF 6.2M

$1,204 CDF 2.7M

$5,017 CDF 11.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$32.87 CDF 72.8K

$14.89 CDF 33.0K

$49.63 CDF 109.9K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.83 CDF 88.2K

$14.94 CDF 33.1K

$59.8 CDF 132.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$69.8 CDF 154.6K

$49.27 CDF 109.2K

$98.6 CDF 218.3K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$99.2 CDF 219.8K

$49.30 CDF 109.2K

$118 CDF 262.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,289 CDF 2.9M

$504 CDF 1.1M

$2,018 CDF 4.5M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$368 CDF 814.6K

$249 CDF 552.3K

$648 CDF 1.4M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,722 CDF 6.0M

$1,976 CDF 4.4M

$4,446 CDF 9.8M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,067 CDF 2.4M

$356 CDF 787.7K

$2,540 CDF 5.6M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,149 CDF 9.2M

$1,016 CDF 2.3M

$5,418 CDF 12.0M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$873 CDF 1.9M

$499 CDF 1.1M

$1,497 CDF 3.3M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$583 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 18, 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	$668	$769	$1,319	$1,564	12.28	84.01
2	Bunia	366126		$358	$400	$974	$873	92.1	126.05
3	Goma	2000000		$618	$1,063	$1,303	$2,053	26.7	32.64
4	Kananga	1524000						8.06	168.55
5	Kinshasa	17032322	76	$1,036	$1,536	$2,058	$3,571	126.68	63.97
6	Kisangani	1423000						159.83	107.83
7	Lubumbashi	1139064	55	$840	$1,110	$2,237	$3,895	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.