Cost of living in Democratic Republic of the Congo compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 21% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 21% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 36,762 Franc ($13) | $21 | - 40% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 29,587 Franc ($10) | $12 | - 14% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15,000 Franc ($5.23) | $5.87 | - 11% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 9,381 Franc ($3.27) | $1.10 | + 198% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 12,772 Franc ($4.45) | $5.49 | - 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 8,226 Franc ($2.87) | $4.88 | - 41% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 8,000 Franc ($2.79) | $8 | - 64% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 12,350 Franc ($4.30) | $4.27 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 5,000 Franc ($1.74) | $2.28 | - 24% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 6,349 Franc ($2.21) | $3.53 | - 37% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 51,300 Franc ($18) | $18 | - 0% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 10,966 Franc ($3.82) | $2.95 | + 30% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 5,762 Franc ($2.01) | $3.04 | - 34% | |
| Housing | + 53% | |||
| Housing in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 53% 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 | 20,838,200 Franc ($7,261) | $3,078 | + 136% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 11,689,800 Franc ($4,073) | $2,362 | + 72% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,282,500 Franc ($447) | $232 | + 93% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 8,000,000 Franc ($2,787) | $2,205 | + 26% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,275,000 Franc ($1,490) | $1,612 | - 8% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 641,250 Franc ($223) | $167 | + 34% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 85,500 Franc ($30) | $61 | - 51% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 513,000 Franc ($179) | $248 | - 28% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 342,000 Franc ($119) | $156 | - 24% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 26,100 Franc ($9) | $15 | - 39% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $34 | - | |
| Clothes | + 49% | |||
| Clothes in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 49% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 342,000 Franc ($119) | $58 | + 107% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | $52 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 750,000 Franc ($261) | $107 | + 144% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 570,000 Franc ($199) | $140 | + 42% | |
| Transportation | - 33% | |||
| Transportation in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 33% 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 | 85,500,000 Franc ($29,791) | $30,909 | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,580 Franc ($0.90) | $0.94 | - 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 130,000 Franc ($45) | $84 | - 46% | |
| Personal Care | - 48% | |||
| Personal Care in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 48% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 20,000 Franc ($7) | $9 | - 23% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 25,000 Franc ($9) | $25 | - 65% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 75,000 Franc ($26) | $172 | - 85% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | $10 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 14,250 Franc ($4.97) | $5.27 | - 6% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | $7 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 7,000 Franc ($2.44) | $5.04 | - 52% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 13,600 Franc ($4.74) | $2.37 | + 100% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 71,250 Franc ($25) | $31 | - 20% | |
| Entertainment | - 50% | |||
| Entertainment in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 71,250 Franc ($25) | $61 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 85,500 Franc ($30) | $30 | - 2% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 60,000 Franc ($21) | $233 | - 91% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 313,500 Franc ($109) | $106 | + 3% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 20,000 Franc ($7) | $15 | - 53% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 22,800 Franc ($8) | $5.98 | + 33% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,758 Franc ($0.61) | $8 | - 92% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 1,425,000 Franc ($497) | $456 | + 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 600 Franc ($0.21) | $0.96 | - 78% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 184,719 Franc ($64) | $72 | - 10% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 8,129 Franc ($2.83) | $11 | - 75% | |
| TOTAL | - 5% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 16,282 prices entered by 1,868 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 16, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00035
USD
/
CDF
*
Cost of living in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 5% cheaper than in United States
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