Cost Of Living For a Student in Brazzaville 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: XAF
Average monthly spending for students in Brazzaville
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Brazzaville?
Students in Brazzaville spend around 400,000 XAF per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 60,000 XAF or as high as 2.6M XAF. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Brazzaville
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 740 XAF | 1,500 XAF | 2,500 XAF |
Restaurant meal for one
| 2,600 XAF | 3,900 XAF | 7,700 XAF |
Fine dining meal for one
| 5,200 XAF | 7,700 XAF | 31,000 XAF |
Cappuccino or latte
| 610 XAF | 980 XAF | 1,500 XAF |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
| 840 XAF | 1,100 XAF | 1,500 XAF |
Pack of beef
| 980 XAF | 1,500 XAF | 2,900 XAF |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
| 640 XAF | 770 XAF | 1,500 XAF |
Average car full tank
| 3,700 XAF | 4,900 XAF | 9,800 XAF |
Average car 1-day rental
| 4,100 XAF | 5,400 XAF | 8,100 XAF |
Average car price
| 1.8M XAF | 3.7M XAF | 4.9M XAF |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 5,400 XAF | 8,100 XAF | 16,000 XAF |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 2,400 XAF | 16,000 XAF | 110,000 XAF |
Internet and cable
| 3,700 XAF | 7,400 XAF | 9,800 XAF |
Mobile phone charges
| 2,900 XAF | 4,900 XAF | 15,000 XAF |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 1,800 XAF | 2,500 XAF | 3,700 XAF |
One month gym membership
| 6,500 XAF | 8,100 XAF | 16,000 XAF |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 4,800 XAF | 6,800 XAF | 10,000 XAF |
Woman dress
| 4,500 XAF | 6,200 XAF | 20,000 XAF |
Woman shoes
| 4,300 XAF | 5,800 XAF | 14,000 XAF |
Men's shoes
| 3,700 XAF | 4,500 XAF | 9,000 XAF |
Men suit
| 4,100 XAF | 5,100 XAF | 27,000 XAF |
Regular t-shirt
| 2,000 XAF | 2,700 XAF | 8,100 XAF |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 68,000 XAF | 100,000 XAF | 270,000 XAF |
1-bedroom apartment
| 100,000 XAF | 160,000 XAF | 410,000 XAF |
2-bedroom apartment
| 140,000 XAF | 200,000 XAF | 540,000 XAF |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
| $45,000 | $130,000 | $270,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 74,000 XAF | 92,000 XAF | 120,000 XAF |
Double Bed
| 49,000 XAF | 74,000 XAF | 92,000 XAF |
Single Bed
| 43,000 XAF | 57,000 XAF | 74,000 XAF |
Living Room
| 82,000 XAF | 110,000 XAF | 370,000 XAF |
Dining Table
| 37,000 XAF | 49,000 XAF | 92,000 XAF |
Sofa or Couch
| 49,000 XAF | 67,000 XAF | 150,000 XAF |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 49,000 XAF | 74,000 XAF | 150,000 XAF |
Fridge or Freezer
| 43,000 XAF | 67,000 XAF | 92,000 XAF |
Washing Machine
| 57,000 XAF | 82,000 XAF | 150,000 XAF |
Stove or Cooker
| 53,000 XAF | 67,000 XAF | 92,000 XAF |
Mobile Phone
| 61,000 XAF | 74,000 XAF | 110,000 XAF |
Laptop or Computer
| 67,000 XAF | 82,000 XAF | 150,000 XAF |
How do students spend their money in Brazzaville?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost18%
18% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)
| LOW | $24 14,000 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $160 95,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $1,000 630,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
Students in Brazzaville typically spend from 13% to 24% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 18% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 95,000 XAF with expenditure ranging from 14,000 XAF to 630,000 XAF. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $4 2,400 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $26 16,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $170 110,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Brazzaville ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 16,000 XAF with 2,400 XAF and 110,000 XAF being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $7 4,200 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $46 28,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $310 180,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 4,200 XAF to 180,000 XAF in a month on commuting with 28,000 XAF being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $20 12,000 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $130 79,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $870 530,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Brazzaville is 79,000 XAF. The cost of groceries can range between 12,000 XAF to 530,000 XAF. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $6 3,600 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $39 24,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $260 160,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
Students in Brazzaville allocate 6% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 3,600 XAF to 160,000 XAF with 24,000 XAF being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
| LOW | $5 3,000 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $33 20,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $220 130,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 3,000 XAF to 130,000 XAF with 20,000 XAF being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $19 11,000 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $120 75,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $830 500,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 75,000 XAF per month with 11,000 XAF being the minimum spent amount and 500,000 XAF being the maximum.
Other Expenses18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $15 9,000 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $98 59,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $660 400,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
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
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Brazzaville
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Brazzaville?
Around 69% of surveyed students think that living in Brazzaville is affordable with proper budgeting while 31% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Brazzaville
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 students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options65%
Few low-cost options35%
Based on the survey, 65% of the students living in Brazzaville have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 35% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
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 students of Brazzaville whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes69%
No31%
Based on the survey, 31% of the students living in Brazzaville said that they don't have an emergency fund while 69% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Congo
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 Leteracy59%
We asked student guardians and parents in Brazzaville whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 41% 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 59% 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 students of Congo have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 31% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 69% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance31%
Easily manages finances69%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Brazzaville
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Brazzaville
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 68,000 XAF | 100,000 XAF | 270,000 XAF |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 100,000 XAF | 160,000 XAF | 410,000 XAF |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 140,000 XAF | 200,000 XAF | 540,000 XAF |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 160,000 XAF | 270,000 XAF | 740,000 XAF |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 320,000 XAF | 810,000 XAF | 1.6M XAF |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 270,000 XAF | 410,000 XAF | 1.2M XAF |
House monthly rent cost
| 320,000 XAF | 810,000 XAF | 1.6M XAF |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 410,000 XAF | 1M XAF | 1.6M XAF |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Brazzaville ranges between 68,000 XAF and 270,000 XAF, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 100,000 XAF to 410,000 XAF. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 140,000 XAF and 540,000 XAF per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 160,000 XAF to 740,000 XAF. The average rent of a townhouse in Brazzaville is around 410,000 XAF while house rental costs can be as high as 810,000 XAF per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 410,000 XAF to 1.6M XAF per month.
Apartment and house prices in Brazzaville
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
| $45,000 | $130,000 | $270,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 90M XAF | 140M XAF | 410M XAF |
| $150,000 | $220,000 | $670,000 |
Townhouse price
| 120M XAF | 270M XAF | 1,000M XAF |
House price
| 140M XAF | 810M XAF | 1,200M XAF |
Villa price
| 160M XAF | 900M XAF | 1,400M XAF |
The average price of a studio apartment in Brazzaville can range from 14M XAF to 41M XAF depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 16M XAF to 100M XAF. A villa can cost you 900M XAF on average with prices ranging from 160M XAF to 1,400M XAF.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Brazzaville will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 42 | x125 monthly income | 227 |
Property prices in Brazzaville can be x125 to x227 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x125 multiples of the average monthly salary in Brazzaville.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Brazzaville is around 34%. This means that people pay 34% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 23% to 45% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
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.
Housing Affordability Index
31% 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.
| 1,200 XAF | 16,000 XAF | 160,000 XAF |
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 Brazzaville
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Brazzaville
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 2,400 XAF | 16,000 XAF | 110,000 XAF |
Internet and cable cost
| 3,700 XAF | 7,400 XAF | 9,800 XAF |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 2,900 XAF | 4,900 XAF | 15,000 XAF |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 16,000 XAF. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 3,700 XAF to 9,800 XAF with 7,400 XAF being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 4,900 XAF but can range between 2,900 XAF and 15,000 XAF depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Brazzaville is around 5.4%. This means that people pay 5.4% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.2% to 9.8% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Brazzaville
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Brazzaville
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 740 XAF | 1,500 XAF | 2,500 XAF |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Brazzaville is approximatly 1,500 XAF with meal cost ranging from 740 XAF to 2,500 XAF. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 2,600 XAF | 3,900 XAF | 7,700 XAF |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 2,600 XAF and 7,700 XAF with 3,900 XAF being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Brazzaville.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 5,200 XAF | 7,700 XAF | 31,000 XAF |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 5,200 XAF to 31,000 XAF with the average cost being 7,700 XAF for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Brazzaville.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
| 610 XAF | 980 XAF | 1,500 XAF |
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Brazzaville is around 980 XAF. Price ranges between 610 XAF and 1,500 XAF depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Brazzaville is 590 XAF. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 740 XAF and the minimum being 490 XAF depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 490 XAF on average with 370 XAF and 740 XAF being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
| 840 XAF | 1,100 XAF | 1,500 XAF |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Brazzaville is between 840 XAF and 1,500 XAF depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 1,100 XAF.
Pack of beef price
| 980 XAF | 1,500 XAF | 2,900 XAF |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 1,500 XAF. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Brazzaville costs around 540 XAF on average with prices rangeing between 400 XAF and 770 XAF depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 150 XAF to 370 XAF. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 340 XAF on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Brazzaville is around 28%. This means that students spend 28% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 20% to 35% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 12,000 XAF to 530,000 XAF with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
