Cost of living in Democratic Republic of Congo

Compare the cost of your home country to the actual living costs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, simply select your home currency and see the difference!

All data is kept up to date by local members and actual students. Our latest update was on: 30th of June 2020

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Food			Price in FC
12 eggs dozen, large			12.50 CDF
1 beer pint in local shops, markets			7 CDF
1 kg of tomatoes			8.50 CDF
Full chicken 2kg			38.75 CDF
1litre 100% fruit juice			8.50 CDF
1 package of cigarettes imported brands			25 CDF
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples			7.50 CDF
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality			48.95 CDF
2.5 liters of Coca-Cola			0.95 CDF
1 Bread loaf standard			9.50 CDF
Whole fat Yogurt. 500ml			12 CDF
1x6 pack Dardanelle tuna			18.50 CDF
Heinz baked beans 1 tin			8 CDF
1.5 kg Sugar			10 CDF
2 liter cooking oil			20 CDF
Yum-yum noodles per pack			2.00 CDF
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes			5.50 CDF
1 liter milk			8.50 CDF
Fast food restaurant large serving/ take away			25 CDF
Housing
Utilities per month (water, electricity, gas) for 2 people in flat			165 CDF
Wi-Fi monthly fee 8 Mbps (1 month)			145 CDF
Laundry detergent (bleach, sunlight liquid, washing surf… altogether)			58.50 CDF
House Cleaning fee per day			105 CDF
Large Gas heater price range upwards.			200 CDF
Original branded Electric Fans			200 CDF
Original branded Electric kettle.			120 CDF
40 inches Beko flat screen HD TV set			2000 CDF
Single bed Blankets			120 CDF
Personal Care
Avon for women and men cologne			100 CDF
Ladies hair plaiting.			60 CDF
Ladies Sanitaryware (Pads and Tampoons)			18 CDF
Men's haircut			40 CDF
Ibuprofen, Panadol, Grandpa Pain killers box of 12 dosses			24.50 CDF
Mobile package local network providers’ talk-time, data and messages			65 CDF
1 month of gym subscription.			105 CDF
Earphones original (Samsung. iPhone)			90 CDF
Unisex Loris perfume			30 CDF
Gadgets maintenance and repairs (cellphone, laptops, tablets...) starting price.			100 CDF
Smart phones (Samsung, Xiaomi, HTC, IPhone) price range upwards			1000 CDF
Laptops (Samsung, Lenovo, Hp, Monster, Dell etc.) price range upwards			3000 CDF
Entertainment
Boat cruise with refreshments and finger snacks			120 CDF
Go carting 30mins			120 CDF
Movie House 3d cinema			30 CDF
Summer Festivals (jet, bumper cars, lucky deep ...(per ticket)			15 CDF
Photo shoot			120 CDF
Cappuccino / expresso/ coffee			12.50 CDF
3 course dinner local restaurant two people			96.50 CDF
3 course dinner classy, exotic restaurant two people			150 CDF
Play station 4 console without games.			2000 CDF
Spalding Basketball			200 CDF
Original branded Racket and Wilson’s tennis balls			500 CDF
Transportation
Taxi fare on average 5-10km			45 CDF
Public transport per trip one way maximum fare			30 CDF
1 liter petrol/diesel			6.50 CDF
1 day rent a car cost			140 CDF
Driver’s license			2300 CDF
Clothes
1 pair of jeans (Denim or similar)			150 CDF
1 pair of men’s formal shoes			215 CDF
1 pair original sport/casual shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands)			280 CDF
1 classy summer dress (Zara, H&M or similar retailers)			135.79 CDF
Ladies formal shoes original and durable			120 CDF
Back-pack, gym bag (Nike, Adidas, New balance)			150 CDF

There are plenty of convincing reasons to live in DRC; the remarkable diversity of natural scenery, the relaxed, family-focused lifestyle, the African feel of many of its attractive towns and travel options. But cost is not one of the most promising inducements for starting a new life here. RocApplyhas compiled this guide for you to have a clear picture on how you are likely to spend in DRC!

1. Clothing Cost is high for items such as business, casual and footwear. A basket costing USD$1,000 in will likely cost USD$900 in the west. Average price for an international brand of mens jeans is USD$32, a quality international brand of running shoes USD$80, mens leather shoes suitable for office wear USD$95 while a medium size international summer dress from a global chain store is about USD$36.!

1. Communication and Internet: Cost is very high for various communication costs such as home telephone rental, internet subscription, mobile service provider tariff and data costs. A basket of data averaging USD$200 elsewhere will cost USD$320 here. Average price for a monthly standard plan internet subscription is USD$105, while the benchmark mobile tariff is USD$0.18 per minute.

1. Groceries: The cost is high for items such as consumables, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruit and vegetables, general food products, snacks, soft drinks. A basket costing USD$860 elsewhere may cost USD$1000. Average grocery prices in a major international retail store for 1 kg apples is USD$5.00, 1 kg oranges USD$4.00, 1 head lettuce USD$1.70, 1 kg potatos USD$2.50, 1 kg boneless, skinless, chicken breast USD$6.00, 1 kg cheddar cheese USD$17.00, 1 dozen large eggs USD$2.50, 500g loaf white bread USD$1.70, 1 L full cream milk USD$1.80, and 1.5 L water USD$1.20.

1. Household Accommodation: Cost is very high for items such as apartment rent, house rent, property purchase, mortgage rate, and utilities. Average expatriate house / apartment rent for a secure upmarket unfurnished apartment (3 bedrooms) is USD$3,300 in a central location, and USD$2,000 in a suburban location, per month, excluding utilities.

1. Health: Cost is average for general heath care, doctor visits, hospital stays, non-prescription medicine, and medical insurance. Average healthcare cost for a private practice Doctor visit for an uninsured patient is USD$50, and a private hospital stay per day including nursing care, medications, diagnostic tests, food, and related costs is USD$1,500.

1. Restaurants and Hotels: Cost is average for items such as hotel daily room rates, meals and beverages in a restaurant, and take away food and beverages. Average cappuccino price is USD$3.20, coke/pepsi (330ml) USD$0.90, burger meal (international franchise or similar) USD$9.70, and a mid-range international restaurant meal for two USD$36.00.

1. Transport: Cost is very high for items such as fuel (petrol/gasoline), car hire, public transport, vehicle purchase and servicing. Average price over the last year for highest available octane petrol / gasoline (1L) is USD$1.20, while the benchmark car sedan purchase price including taxes/duties for a compact / small / economy vehicle (1.4 L) is USD$21,70.

If we base ourselves only on financial indices, we can say that the cost of living in DRC is really high in many fields compared to other countries, but we must balance this extreem, because it is not because it is less expensive that it is easier compared with your ‘purse’. Once you are here be sure to check with locals on other expenses that may be deemed vital for your everyday operations!