Cost Of Living in Bukavu 2024

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Bukavu

Whether you're living in Bukavu or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Bukavu is 340,000 CDF. Expenses can range from 47,000 CDF at the minimum level to 2.3M CDF at the highest end.

Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Bukavu is 570,000 CDF. Expenditure can range from 190,000 CDF to 3M CDF per month.

Families

The average cost of living for families in Bukavu is 750,000 CDF per month. Families spend anywhere from 260,000 CDF to 4.9M CDF.

Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Bukavu is 250,000 CDF. Students spend from 38,000 CDF to 1.7M CDF per month.

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Bukavu

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.

Expense to income distribution levels

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Bukavu is 88% This means that on average, people spend around 88% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 14% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.

Individual
80%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

73%

87%

Couple
84%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

77%

92%

Family
93%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

85%

100%

How do people spend their money in Bukavu?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

People living in Bukavu typically spend from 12% to 31% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 23% being the average. The average spend on housing is 150,000 CDF with expenditure ranging from 11,000 CDF to 1.5M CDF. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Bukavu ranges from 5% to 12% of total expenses with 8% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 25,000 CDF with 1,900 CDF and 250,000 CDF being the upper and lower limits.

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 3,800 CDF to 490,000 CDF on commuting with 49,000 CDF being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 6% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 10%.

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Bukavu is 120,000 CDF. The cost of groceries can range between 9,400 CDF to 1.2M CDF. People spend on average about 29% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 21% and 35% respectively.

People in Bukavu allocate 6% to 14% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 11%. The range of medical expenses range from 2,600 CDF to 340,000 CDF with 34,000 CDF being the norm.

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 1,500 CDF to 200,000 CDF with 20,000 CDF being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most residents.

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 29,000 CDF per month with 2,300 CDF being the minimum spent amount and 290,000 CDF being the maximum.

How much money can you save in Bukavu every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.

What percentage of people in Bukavu manage to save money from their income every month?

Almost 56% of the surveyed people in Bukavu said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 44% said that aren't saving anything.

Percentage of people saving money by population group in Bukavu

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

For most people, 10% to 31% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 17% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 140,000 CDF on average with savings ranging from 11,000 CDF to 1.4M CDF.

56% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 51% of couples said the same. 46% of families confirmed their ability to save money.

How much money do people actually save in Bukavu?

Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 13% to 33% of their monthly income to savings, with 21% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 96,000 CDF with 11,000 CDF and 640,000 CDF being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 11% to 32% of their monthly income, with 19% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 160,000 CDF with 53,000 CDF and 850,000 CDF being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Families

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Bukavu can save anywhere between 9.1% to 28% of their monthly income, with 16% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 210,000 CDF with 74,000 CDF and 1.4M CDF being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Saving Challenges in Bukavu

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Bukavu. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.

Around 4% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 7% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 12% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 12% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 12% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 5% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 22% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 14% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for people in Bukavu

Where do people choose to put their savings?

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

• 50% for needs and financial obligations

  This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

• 30% for wants and discretionary spending

  This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

• 20% for savings and emergency fund

  This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

Affordable living in Bukavu

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Bukavu?

Around 46% of surveyed residents think that living in Bukavu is affordable with proper budgeting while 54% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Bukavu

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options56%

Few low-cost options44%

Based on the survey, 56% of the people living in Bukavu have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 44% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Bukavu whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes46%

No54%

Based on the survey, 54% of the people living in Bukavu said that they don't have an emergency fund while 46% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in Congo Democratic Republic

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy40%

We asked residents of Congo Democratic Republic whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 60% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 40% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.

Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether residents of Congo Democratic Republic have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 50% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 50% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance50%

Easily manages finances50%

Financial goals of people in Bukavu

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Bukavu, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.

Around 9% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 45% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 11% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 6% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 19% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 6% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 6% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 15% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Bukavu

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Bukavu and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in Congo Democratic Republic is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents of Bukavu about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Bukavu

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Bukavu

Percentage of people who are in debt

According to the survey, 28% of the people in Bukavu have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 72% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.

Debt-to-income ratio in Bukavu

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 33% of the people's monthly income in Bukavu goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Bukavu pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 20% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 15% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 17% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 9% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.

Distribution by type of debt in Bukavu

7% of debtors in Bukavu confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 31% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 13% of people and personal loans rose at 45%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Bukavu.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.

Loan Affordability Index in Bukavu

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Bukavu how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Bukavu

Rent Cost in Bukavu

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

40,000 CDF

60,000 CDF

160,000 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$15

$22

$58

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

60,000 CDF

97,000 CDF

240,000 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$22

$35

$87

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

81,000 CDF

120,000 CDF

320,000 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$29

$44

$120

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

97,000 CDF

160,000 CDF

440,000 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$35

$58

$160

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

190,000 CDF

480,000 CDF

970,000 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$70

$170

$350

Townhouse monthly rent cost

160,000 CDF

240,000 CDF

690,000 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$58

$87

$250

House monthly rent cost

190,000 CDF

480,000 CDF

970,000 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$70

$170

$350

Villa monthly rent cost

240,000 CDF

600,000 CDF

970,000 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$87

$220

$350

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Bukavu ranges between 40,000 CDF and 160,000 CDF, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 60,000 CDF to 240,000 CDF. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 81,000 CDF and 320,000 CDF per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 97,000 CDF to 440,000 CDF. The average rent of a townhouse in Bukavu is around 240,000 CDF while house rental costs can be as high as 480,000 CDF per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 240,000 CDF to 970,000 CDF per month.

Apartment and house prices in Bukavu

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

8.1M CDF

12M CDF

24M CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2,900

$4,400

$8,700

1-bedroom apartment price

9.7M CDF

16M CDF

60M CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$3,500

$5,800

$22,000

2-bedroom apartment price

16M CDF

48M CDF

97M CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$5,800

$17,000

$35,000

3-bedroom apartment price

54M CDF

81M CDF

240M CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$19,000

$29,000

$87,000

Townhouse price

69M CDF

160M CDF

600M CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$25,000

$58,000

$220,000

House price

81M CDF

480M CDF

690M CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$29,000

$170,000

$250,000

Villa price

97M CDF

540M CDF

810M CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$35,000

$190,000

$290,000

The average price of a studio apartment in Bukavu can range from 8.1M CDF to 24M CDF depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 9.7M CDF to 60M CDF. A villa can cost you 540M CDF on average with prices ranging from 97M CDF to 810M CDF.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

Property prices in Bukavu can be x89 to x196 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x89 multiples of the average monthly salary in Bukavu.

Rent to income ratio

The average rent-to-income ratio in Bukavu is around 29%. This means that people pay 29% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 19% to 40% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Bukavu

Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Bukavu

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

2,800 CDF

20,000 CDF

140,000 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1

$7.3

$49

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

7,500 CDF

25,000 CDF

170,000 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2.7

$9.2

$60

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

13,000 CDF

38,000 CDF

250,000 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$4.8

$14

$88

Internet and cable cost

2,500 CDF

4,900 CDF

6,600 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.89

$1.8

$2.4

Mobile phone bill and charges

2,000 CDF

3,300 CDF

9,900 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.71

$1.2

$3.6

The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Bukavu ranges between 2,800 CDF and 140,000 CDF with average being 20,000 CDF, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 25,000 CDF with 7,500 CDF and 170,000 CDF being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 38,000 CDF. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 2,500 CDF to 6,600 CDF with 4,900 CDF being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 3,300 CDF but can range between 2,000 CDF and 9,900 CDF depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.

Energy / Utility expense to income ratio

The average utility-to-income ratio in Bukavu is around 6.1%. This means that people pay 6.1% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3% to 10% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Bukavu

Prices and cost of goods and services in Bukavu

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

490 CDF

990 CDF

1,600 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.18

$0.36

$0.59

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Bukavu is approximatly 990 CDF with meal cost ranging from 490 CDF to 1,600 CDF. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

1,600 CDF

2,400 CDF

4,900 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.59

$0.88

$1.8

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 1,600 CDF and 4,900 CDF with 2,400 CDF being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Bukavu.

Fine dining meal for one price

3,300 CDF

4,900 CDF

20,000 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.2

$1.8

$7

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 3,300 CDF to 20,000 CDF with the average cost being 4,900 CDF for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Bukavu.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

410 CDF

660 CDF

990 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.15

$0.24

$0.36

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Bukavu is around 660 CDF. Price ranges between 410 CDF and 990 CDF depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.

Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

330 CDF

390 CDF

490 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.12

$0.14

$0.18

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Bukavu is 390 CDF. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 490 CDF and the minimum being 330 CDF depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

250 CDF

330 CDF

490 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.09

$0.12

$0.18

A dozen eggs costs around 330 CDF on average with 250 CDF and 490 CDF being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

560 CDF

720 CDF

1,000 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.20

$0.26

$0.37

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Bukavu is between 560 CDF and 1,000 CDF depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 720 CDF.

Pack of beef price

660 CDF

990 CDF

2,000 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.24

$0.36

$0.71

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 990 CDF. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

260 CDF

360 CDF

510 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.10

$0.13

$0.19

A bag of rice in Bukavu costs around 360 CDF on average with prices rangeing between 260 CDF and 510 CDF depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

99 CDF

130 CDF

250 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.04

$0.05

$0.09

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 99 CDF to 250 CDF. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

180 CDF

230 CDF

380 CDF

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.06

$0.08

$0.14

A bag of apples costs 230 CDF on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Bukavu is around 27%. This means that people spend 27% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 34% depending on salary and location.

Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 54,000 CDF per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 7,600 CDF and 360,000 CDF depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 79,000 CDF per month. That number can be get as low as 26,000 CDF or a high as 420,000 CDF. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 48,000 CDF to 880,000 CDF with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Bukavu

CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Bukavu

FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Bukavu

StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Bukavu