Cost of living in Democratic Republic of the Congo compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 30% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 30% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 36,762 Franc (¥1,841) | ¥1,035 | + 78% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 29,587 Franc (¥1,481) | ¥820 | + 81% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15,000 Franc (¥751) | ¥618 | + 22% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 9,381 Franc (¥470) | ¥237 | + 98% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 12,772 Franc (¥639) | ¥335 | + 91% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 8,226 Franc (¥412) | ¥439 | - 6% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 8,000 Franc (¥401) | ¥1,195 | - 66% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 12,350 Franc (¥618) | ¥822 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 5,000 Franc (¥250) | ¥509 | - 51% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 6,349 Franc (¥318) | ¥312 | + 2% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 51,300 Franc (¥2,569) | ¥1,267 | + 103% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 10,966 Franc (¥549) | ¥276 | + 99% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 5,762 Franc (¥289) | ¥293 | - 1% | |
| Housing | + 144% | |||
| Housing in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 144% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 20,838,200 Franc (¥1,043,355) | ¥365,082 | + 186% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 11,689,800 Franc (¥585,300) | ¥197,811 | + 196% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,282,500 Franc (¥64,214) | ¥19,132 | + 236% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 8,000,000 Franc (¥400,555) | ¥145,654 | + 175% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,275,000 Franc (¥214,046) | ¥106,059 | + 102% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 641,250 Franc (¥32,107) | ¥8,349 | + 285% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 85,500 Franc (¥4,281) | ¥4,448 | - 4% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 513,000 Franc (¥25,686) | ¥74,559 | - 66% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 342,000 Franc (¥17,124) | ¥25,414 | - 33% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 26,100 Franc (¥1,307) | ¥1,338 | - 2% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥2,815 | - | |
| Clothes | + 56% | |||
| Clothes in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 56% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 342,000 Franc (¥17,124) | ¥9,315 | + 84% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | ¥5,103 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 750,000 Franc (¥37,552) | ¥10,686 | + 251% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 570,000 Franc (¥28,540) | ¥12,189 | + 134% | |
| Transportation | - 10% | |||
| Transportation in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 10% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 85,500,000 Franc (¥4,280,927) | ¥3,060,780 | + 40% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,580 Franc (¥129) | ¥169 | - 24% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 130,000 Franc (¥6,509) | ¥8,198 | - 21% | |
| Personal Care | - 19% | |||
| Personal Care in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 19% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 20,000 Franc (¥1,001) | ¥2,133 | - 53% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 25,000 Franc (¥1,252) | ¥2,551 | - 51% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 75,000 Franc (¥3,755) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ¥1,337 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 14,250 Franc (¥713) | ¥930 | - 23% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | ¥622 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 7,000 Franc (¥350) | ¥224 | + 56% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 13,600 Franc (¥681) | ¥188 | + 263% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 71,250 Franc (¥3,567) | ¥4,604 | - 23% | |
| Entertainment | - 4% | |||
| Entertainment in Democratic Republic of the Congo is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 71,250 Franc (¥3,567) | ¥4,908 | - 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 85,500 Franc (¥4,281) | ¥3,881 | + 10% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 60,000 Franc (¥3,004) | ¥7,212 | - 58% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 313,500 Franc (¥15,697) | ¥8,269 | + 90% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 20,000 Franc (¥1,001) | ¥1,244 | - 19% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 22,800 Franc (¥1,142) | ¥547 | + 109% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,758 Franc (¥88) | ¥674 | - 87% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 1,425,000 Franc (¥71,349) | ¥51,659 | + 38% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 600 Franc (¥30) | ¥52 | - 42% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 184,719 Franc (¥9,249) | ¥9,530 | - 3% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 8,129 Franc (¥407) | ¥613 | - 34% | |
| TOTAL | + 47% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 345 prices entered by 85 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 26, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.05007
JPY
/
CDF
*
Cost of living in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 47% more expensive than in Japan
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