Cost of living in Democratic Republic of the Congo compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 4% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Democratic Republic of the Congo is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 40,000 Franc ($20) | $17 | + 14% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 20,000 Franc ($10) | $9 | + 8% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 12,174 Franc ($5.99) | $5.06 | + 18% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 4,751 Franc ($2.34) | $0.99 | + 136% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 6,168 Franc ($3.03) | $3.33 | - 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 7,788 Franc ($3.83) | $4.44 | - 14% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 60,000 Franc ($29) | $7 | + 331% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 3,230 Franc ($1.59) | $3.92 | - 59% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2,119 Franc ($1.04) | $1.94 | - 46% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 4,000 Franc ($1.97) | $3.35 | - 41% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 31,134 Franc ($15) | $16 | - 2% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 6,000 Franc ($2.95) | $2.26 | + 30% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 2,442 Franc ($1.20) | $2.45 | - 51% | |
| Housing | + 32% | |||
| Housing in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 32% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 13,421,800 Franc ($6,599) | $2,515 | + 162% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 946,148 Franc ($465) | $1,957 | - 76% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 300,000 Franc ($147) | $205 | - 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 2,000,000 Franc ($983) | $1,777 | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 547,728 Franc ($269) | $1,349 | - 80% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 40,000 Franc ($20) | $139 | - 86% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 100,000 Franc ($49) | $57 | - 13% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 200,000 Franc ($98) | $303 | - 68% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 20,000 Franc ($10) | $134 | - 93% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 10,000 Franc ($4.92) | $12 | - 60% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 200,000 Franc ($98) | $26 | + 272% | |
| Clothes | + 27% | |||
| Clothes in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 27% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 80,000 Franc ($39) | $51 | - 23% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 100,000 Franc ($49) | $46 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 120,000 Franc ($59) | $92 | - 36% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 800,000 Franc ($393) | $120 | + 228% | |
| Transportation | - 52% | |||
| Transportation in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 52% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 4,000,000 Franc ($1,967) | $25,233 | - 92% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,000 Franc ($0.98) | $1.06 | - 7% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 80,454 Franc ($40) | $77 | - 48% | |
| Personal Care | - 14% | |||
| Personal Care in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 14% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 5,000 Franc ($2.46) | $7 | - 67% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 7,578 Franc ($3.73) | $19 | - 80% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 100,000 Franc ($49) | $125 | - 61% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 20,000 Franc ($10) | $7 | + 32% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 19,745 Franc ($10) | $4.17 | + 133% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 30,000 Franc ($15) | $5.50 | + 168% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 5,093 Franc ($2.50) | $4.18 | - 40% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 4,093 Franc ($2.01) | $2.05 | - 2% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 30,511 Franc ($15) | $25 | - 40% | |
| Entertainment | - 49% | |||
| Entertainment in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 49% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 25,796 Franc ($13) | $49 | - 74% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 40,000 Franc ($20) | $27 | - 26% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 60,000 Franc ($29) | $192 | - 85% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 30,312 Franc ($15) | $83 | - 82% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 20,000 Franc ($10) | $13 | - 23% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | $5.17 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,758 Franc ($0.86) | $6 | - 86% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | $499 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 200 Franc ($0.10) | $0.17 | - 41% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 80,000 Franc ($39) | $52 | - 25% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 13,542 Franc ($7) | $9 | - 27% | |
| TOTAL | - 7% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 16,129 prices entered by 2,613 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 17, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00049
USD
/
CDF
*
Cost of living in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 7% cheaper than in United States
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