Cost of living in Democratic Republic of the Congo compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 2% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 2% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 27,484 Franc ($17) | $14 | + 19% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | 17,276 Franc ($11) | $8 | + 39% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 7,859 Franc ($4.82) | $4.53 | + 6% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 3,322 Franc ($2.04) | $0.89 | + 129% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 4,577 Franc ($2.81) | $3.18 | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 4,665 Franc ($2.86) | $3.98 | - 28% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 7,011 Franc ($4.30) | $6 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 7,362 Franc ($4.51) | $3.33 | + 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 4,134 Franc ($2.53) | $1.61 | + 57% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 2,448 Franc ($1.50) | $3.61 | - 58% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 24,813 Franc ($15) | $15 | + 2% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | 6,716 Franc ($4.12) | $1.92 | + 115% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,952 Franc ($1.20) | $2.13 | - 44% | |
| Housing | + 3% | |||
| Housing in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 3% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | 3,653,640 Franc ($2,240) | $2,047 | + 9% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | 2,903,800 Franc ($1,780) | $1,577 | + 13% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 563,923 Franc ($346) | $177 | + 96% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | 1,650,000 Franc ($1,012) | $1,589 | - 36% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | 1,000,000 Franc ($613) | $1,132 | - 46% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | 308,165 Franc ($189) | $119 | + 59% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | 115,814 Franc ($71) | $48 | + 48% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | 745,641 Franc ($457) | $329 | + 39% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | 186,364 Franc ($114) | $120 | - 5% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9,562 Franc ($5.86) | $11 | - 46% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $23 | - | |
| Clothes | - 58% | |||
| Clothes in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 58% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 31,000 Franc ($19) | $48 | - 60% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | 26,514 Franc ($16) | $45 | - 64% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | 50,000 Franc ($31) | $86 | - 64% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 135,000 Franc ($83) | $115 | - 28% | |
| Transportation | - 48% | |||
| Transportation in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 48% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 20,000,000 Franc ($12,262) | $22,416 | - 45% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,654 Franc ($1.01) | $0.78 | + 31% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 55,000 Franc ($34) | $85 | - 60% | |
| Personal Care | - 36% | |||
| Personal Care in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 36% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Franc ($0.61) | $7 | - 91% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 2,000 Franc ($1.23) | $19 | - 93% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | 78,750 Franc ($48) | $111 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | 3,000 Franc ($1.84) | $7 | - 73% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 8,258 Franc ($5.06) | $3.47 | + 46% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 10,086 Franc ($6) | $5.13 | + 20% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 3,569 Franc ($2.19) | $3.47 | - 37% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 9,682 Franc ($5.94) | $1.87 | + 218% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 14,831 Franc ($9) | $21 | - 56% | |
| Entertainment | + 30% | |||
| Entertainment in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 30% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 155,000 Franc ($95) | $45 | + 111% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 30,000 Franc ($18) | $25 | - 26% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 33,000 Franc ($20) | $174 | - 88% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 168,428 Franc ($103) | $79 | + 31% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 15,487 Franc ($9) | $12 | - 18% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 6,492 Franc ($3.98) | $4.90 | - 19% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 3,419 Franc ($2.10) | $5.93 | - 65% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | - | $421 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 489 Franc ($0.30) | $0.37 | - 18% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 240,496 Franc ($147) | $53 | + 178% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | 23,904 Franc ($15) | $8 | + 87% | |
| TOTAL | - 9% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 90,002 prices entered by 12,780 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 16, 2019.
Exchange rate:
0.00061
USD
/
CDF
*
Cost of living in Democratic Republic of the Congo is 9% cheaper than in United States
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