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 21.9K

$5.05 CDF 10.9K

$25.26 CDF 54.6K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$87.4 CDF 189.1K

$44.96 CDF 97.3K

$250 CDF 540.3K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.92 CDF 21.5K

$6.94 CDF 15.0K

$12.89 CDF 27.9K

Cappuccino

$5.55 CDF 12.0K

$3.05 CDF 6,608

$9.16 CDF 19.8K

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

$1.65 CDF 3,566

$1.02 CDF 2,201

$5.09 CDF 11.0K

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.39 CDF 3,009

$1.01 CDF 2,180

$3.02 CDF 6,541

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.06 CDF 4,453

$1.29 CDF 2,783

$5.15 CDF 11.1K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.85 CDF 8,321

$3.08 CDF 6,657

$5.13 CDF 11.1K

Milk (1 liter)

$2.19 CDF 4,735

$1.02 CDF 2,202

$3.05 CDF 6,607

White Bread (500g)

$1.71 CDF 3,694

$0.82 CDF 1,780

$3.89 CDF 8,412

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.16 CDF 4,675

$0.82 CDF 1,781

$3.60 CDF 7,792

Eggs

$3.26 CDF 7,051

$1.76 CDF 3,800

$4.88 CDF 10.6K

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.17 CDF 13.3K

$4.89 CDF 10.6K

$19.54 CDF 42.3K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.96 CDF 12.9K

$2.43 CDF 5,253

$17.48 CDF 37.8K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.22 CDF 19.9K

$5.12 CDF 11.1K

$14.34 CDF 31.0K

Apples (1kg)

$2.86 CDF 6,191

$1.48 CDF 3,191

$4.92 CDF 10.6K

Banana (1kg)

$1.94 CDF 4,195

$0.99 CDF 2,151

$3.98 CDF 8,605

Oranges (1kg)

$2.84 CDF 6,134

$1.03 CDF 2,222

$5.14 CDF 11.1K

Tomato (1kg)

$2.47 CDF 5,354

$0.97 CDF 2,089

$4.02 CDF 8,705

Potato (1kg)

$2.43 CDF 5,254

$0.51 CDF 1,095

$3.94 CDF 8,516

Onion (1kg)

$2.41 CDF 5,216

$1.96 CDF 4,240

$3.92 CDF 8,481

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.83 CDF 3,967

$0.99 CDF 2,144

$2.97 CDF 6,432

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 CDF 2,273

$0.51 CDF 1,093

$2.02 CDF 4,372

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.85 CDF 10.5K

$4.08 CDF 8,834

$6.13 CDF 13.3K

Wine (Bottle)

$14.75 CDF 31.9K

$9.83 CDF 21.3K

$36.51 CDF 79.0K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.64 CDF 3,552

$1.01 CDF 2,192

$2.53 CDF 5,481

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 CDF 6,453

$1.99 CDF 4,302

$4.97 CDF 10.8K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.48 CDF 1,043

$0.24 CDF 522

$0.96 CDF 2,086

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$14.80 CDF 32.0K

$21.45 CDF 46.4K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.99 CDF 10.8K

$3.99 CDF 8,635

$14.97 CDF 32.4K

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.02 CDF 4,366

$1.29 CDF 2,794

$5.05 CDF 10.9K

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.87 CDF 21.3K

$4.93 CDF 10.7K

$14.80 CDF 32.0K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 CDF 3,121

$1.02 CDF 2,198

$2.03 CDF 4,396

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

$20.3K CDF 43.9M

$15.2K CDF 32.9M

$25.4K CDF 54.9M

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

$21.3K CDF 46.2M

$17.0K CDF 36.8M

$30.0K CDF 64.9M

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

$212 CDF 459.5K

$101 CDF 217.8K

$403 CDF 871.3K

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

$20.66 CDF 44.7K

$15.03 CDF 32.5K

$30.06 CDF 65.0K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$84.7 CDF 183.3K

$50.7 CDF 109.6K

$203 CDF 438.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$52.2 CDF 113.0K

$29.69 CDF 64.2K

$99.0 CDF 214.1K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.41 CDF 24.7K

$10.15 CDF 21.9K

$15.22 CDF 32.9K

Cinema Ticket

$14.28 CDF 30.9K

$10.20 CDF 22.1K

$15.30 CDF 33.1K

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

$339 CDF 733.2K

$79.5 CDF 172.0K

$795 CDF 1.7M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,793 CDF 6.0M

$1,204 CDF 2.6M

$5,017 CDF 10.9M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$32.87 CDF 71.1K

$14.89 CDF 32.2K

$49.63 CDF 107.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.83 CDF 86.2K

$14.94 CDF 32.3K

$59.8 CDF 129.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$69.8 CDF 151.0K

$49.27 CDF 106.6K

$98.6 CDF 213.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$99.2 CDF 214.6K

$49.30 CDF 106.7K

$118 CDF 256.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,289 CDF 2.8M

$504 CDF 1.1M

$2,018 CDF 4.4M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$368 CDF 795.4K

$249 CDF 539.3K

$648 CDF 1.4M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,722 CDF 5.9M

$1,976 CDF 4.3M

$4,446 CDF 9.6M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,067 CDF 2.3M

$356 CDF 769.2K

$2,540 CDF 5.5M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,149 CDF 9.0M

$1,016 CDF 2.2M

$5,418 CDF 11.7M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$873 CDF 1.9M

$499 CDF 1.1M

$1,497 CDF 3.2M

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

Democratic Republic of the Congo Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

113

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

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.