Cost of living in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Currency:
Food | - 16% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) is 16% cheaper than in Des Moines, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 22,957 Franc ($12) | $14 | - 15% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 12,474 Franc ($6) | $8 | - 19% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 8,119 Franc ($4.07) | $3.66 | + 11% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 3,188 Franc ($1.60) | $0.79 | + 103% | |
12 eggs, large | 3,726 Franc ($1.87) | $2.57 | - 27% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 4,014 Franc ($2.01) | $3.51 | - 43% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 12,355 Franc ($6) | $6 | + 2% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 7,378 Franc ($3.70) | $3.78 | - 2% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 5,787 Franc ($2.90) | $1.17 | + 148% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 2,038 Franc ($1.02) | $2.35 | - 57% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 19,907 Franc ($10) | $17 | - 40% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 3,715 Franc ($1.86) | $1.82 | + 2% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 2,091 Franc ($1.05) | $1.50 | - 30% | |
Housing | + 54% | |||
Housing in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) is 54% more expensive than in Des Moines, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 4,716,710 Franc ($2,363) | $1,581 | + 50% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 2,542,860 Franc ($1,274) | $997 | + 28% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 191,667 Franc ($96) | $169 | - 43% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 2,083,010 Franc ($1,044) | $1,021 | + 2% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 956,739 Franc ($479) | $687 | - 30% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 82,500 Franc ($41) | $88 | - 53% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 141,483 Franc ($71) | $47 | + 51% | |
40” flat screen tv | 913,125 Franc ($457) | $321 | + 42% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 295,000 Franc ($148) | $132 | + 12% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 23,732 Franc ($12) | $10 | + 23% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 200,000 Franc ($100) | $17 | + 483% | |
Clothes | - 13% | |||
Clothes in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) is 13% cheaper than in Des Moines, Iowa (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 60,251 Franc ($30) | $44 | - 32% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 74,545 Franc ($37) | $41 | - 10% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 158,385 Franc ($79) | $81 | - 2% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 151,500 Franc ($76) | $85 | - 11% | |
Transportation | - 41% | |||
Transportation in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) is 41% cheaper than in Des Moines, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 23,150,700 Franc ($11,599) | $22,245 | - 48% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,500 Franc ($0.75) | $0.71 | + 6% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 55,618 Franc ($28) | $50 | - 44% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 10,425 Franc ($5.22) | $14 | - 62% | |
Personal Care | - 27% | |||
Personal Care in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) is 27% cheaper than in Des Moines, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 10,919 Franc ($5.47) | $9 | - 41% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 18,705 Franc ($9) | $16 | - 41% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 59,583 Franc ($30) | $129 | - 77% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 15,550 Franc ($8) | $5.69 | + 37% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 12,353 Franc ($6) | $2.74 | + 126% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 10,632 Franc ($5.33) | $4.64 | + 15% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 4,425 Franc ($2.22) | $2.64 | - 16% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 3,105 Franc ($1.56) | $1.66 | - 6% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 22,848 Franc ($11) | $16 | - 30% | |
Entertainment | - 48% | |||
Entertainment in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) is 48% cheaper than in Des Moines, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 51,667 Franc ($26) | $35 | - 27% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 27,669 Franc ($14) | $21 | - 34% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 43,288 Franc ($22) | $242 | - 91% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 97,857 Franc ($49) | $84 | - 42% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 12,940 Franc ($6) | $8 | - 17% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 5,939 Franc ($2.98) | $5.06 | - 41% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 3,776 Franc ($1.89) | $4.08 | - 54% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 933,634 Franc ($468) | $429 | + 9% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 172 Franc ($0.09) | $0.96 | - 91% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 174,359 Franc ($87) | $47 | + 85% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 3,748 Franc ($1.88) | $7 | - 74% | |
TOTAL | - 8% |

These prices were last updated on April 12, 2021.
Exchange rate:
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Cost of living in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) is 8% cheaper than in Des Moines, Iowa (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $4,800 in Des Moines, Iowa you would need to make just about $4,439 (8,860,603 Franc) in Kinshasa.
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