Cost Of Living For a Student in Burundi 2024
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: BIF
Average monthly spending for students in Burundi
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Burundi?
Students in Burundi spend around 610,000 BIF per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 92,000 BIF or as high as 4.1M BIF. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Burundi
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 1,200 BIF | 2,400 BIF | 4,000 BIF |
Restaurant meal for one
| 4,000 BIF | 5,900 BIF | 12,000 BIF |
Fine dining meal for one
| 7,900 BIF | 12,000 BIF | 47,000 BIF |
Cappuccino or latte
| 990 BIF | 1,600 BIF | 2,400 BIF |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
| 790 BIF | 950 BIF | 1,200 BIF |
12 eggs
| 590 BIF | 790 BIF | 1,200 BIF |
Fresh whole chicken
| 1,300 BIF | 1,700 BIF | 2,500 BIF |
Pack of beef
| 1,600 BIF | 2,400 BIF | 4,700 BIF |
Medium bag of rice
| 640 BIF | 870 BIF | 1,200 BIF |
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
| 990 BIF | 1,200 BIF | 2,400 BIF |
Average car full tank
| 5,900 BIF | 7,900 BIF | 16,000 BIF |
Average car 1-day rental
| 5,900 BIF | 7,900 BIF | 12,000 BIF |
Average car price
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 7,900 BIF | 12,000 BIF | 24,000 BIF |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 3,700 BIF | 24,000 BIF | 160,000 BIF |
Internet and cable
| 5,900 BIF | 12,000 BIF | 16,000 BIF |
Mobile phone charges
| 4,700 BIF | 7,900 BIF | 24,000 BIF |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 3,000 BIF | 4,000 BIF | 5,900 BIF |
One month gym membership
| 9,500 BIF | 12,000 BIF | 24,000 BIF |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 7,000 BIF | 9,900 BIF | 15,000 BIF |
Woman dress
| 6,600 BIF | 9,100 BIF | 30,000 BIF |
Woman shoes
| 6,200 BIF | 8,500 BIF | 20,000 BIF |
Men's shoes
| 5,400 BIF | 6,600 BIF | 13,000 BIF |
Men suit
| 5,900 BIF | 7,400 BIF | 40,000 BIF |
Regular t-shirt
| 3,000 BIF | 4,000 BIF | 12,000 BIF |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 99,000 BIF | 150,000 BIF | 400,000 BIF |
1-bedroom apartment
| 150,000 BIF | 240,000 BIF | 590,000 BIF |
2-bedroom apartment
| 200,000 BIF | 300,000 BIF | 790,000 BIF |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
| 40M BIF | 120M BIF | 240M BIF |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 120,000 BIF | 150,000 BIF | 200,000 BIF |
Double Bed
| 79,000 BIF | 120,000 BIF | 150,000 BIF |
Single Bed
| 70,000 BIF | 91,000 BIF | 120,000 BIF |
Living Room
| 130,000 BIF | 170,000 BIF | 590,000 BIF |
Dining Table
| 59,000 BIF | 79,000 BIF | 150,000 BIF |
Sofa or Couch
| 79,000 BIF | 110,000 BIF | 240,000 BIF |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 79,000 BIF | 120,000 BIF | 240,000 BIF |
Fridge or Freezer
| 70,000 BIF | 110,000 BIF | 150,000 BIF |
Washing Machine
| 91,000 BIF | 130,000 BIF | 240,000 BIF |
Stove or Cooker
| 85,000 BIF | 110,000 BIF | 150,000 BIF |
Mobile Phone
| 99,000 BIF | 120,000 BIF | 170,000 BIF |
Laptop or Computer
| 110,000 BIF | 130,000 BIF | 240,000 BIF |
How do students spend their money in Burundi?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost17%
17% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)
| LOW | $7.7 22,000 BIF |
| AVERAGE | $51 150,000 BIF |
| HIGH | $340 980,000 BIF |
| Per Month |
Students in Burundi typically spend from 12% to 23% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 17% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 150,000 BIF with expenditure ranging from 22,000 BIF to 980,000 BIF. 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 utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $1.3 3,700 BIF |
| AVERAGE | $8.5 24,000 BIF |
| HIGH | $57 160,000 BIF |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Burundi ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 24,000 BIF with 3,700 BIF and 160,000 BIF 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 | $2.2 6,400 BIF |
| AVERAGE | $15 43,000 BIF |
| HIGH | $100 280,000 BIF |
| 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 6,400 BIF to 280,000 BIF in a month on commuting with 43,000 BIF 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 | $6.4 18,000 BIF |
| AVERAGE | $43 120,000 BIF |
| HIGH | $280 810,000 BIF |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Burundi is 120,000 BIF. The cost of groceries can range between 18,000 BIF to 810,000 BIF. 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 | $1.9 5,500 BIF |
| AVERAGE | $13 37,000 BIF |
| HIGH | $85 240,000 BIF |
| Per Month |
Students in Burundi 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 5,500 BIF to 240,000 BIF with 37,000 BIF being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)
| LOW | $1.6 4,600 BIF |
| AVERAGE | $11 31,000 BIF |
| HIGH | $71 200,000 BIF |
| 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 4,600 BIF to 200,000 BIF with 31,000 BIF being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $6.1 17,000 BIF |
| AVERAGE | $41 120,000 BIF |
| HIGH | $270 770,000 BIF |
| 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 120,000 BIF per month with 17,000 BIF being the minimum spent amount and 770,000 BIF being the maximum.
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $4.8 14,000 BIF |
| AVERAGE | $32 92,000 BIF |
| HIGH | $210 610,000 BIF |
| 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 Burundi
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Burundi?
Around 48% of surveyed students think that living in Burundi is affordable with proper budgeting while 52% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Burundi
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 options55%
Few low-cost options45%
Based on the survey, 55% of the students living in Burundi have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 45% 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 Burundi whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes47%
No53%
Based on the survey, 53% of the students living in Burundi said that they don't have an emergency fund while 47% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Burundi
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 Leteracy43%
We asked student guardians and parents in Burundi whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 57% 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 43% 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 Burundi have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 51% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 49% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance51%
Easily manages finances49%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Burundi
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Burundi
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 99,000 BIF | 150,000 BIF | 400,000 BIF |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 150,000 BIF | 240,000 BIF | 590,000 BIF |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 200,000 BIF | 300,000 BIF | 790,000 BIF |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 240,000 BIF | 400,000 BIF | 1.1M BIF |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 470,000 BIF | 1.2M BIF | 2.4M BIF |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 400,000 BIF | 590,000 BIF | 1.7M BIF |
House monthly rent cost
| 470,000 BIF | 1.2M BIF | 2.4M BIF |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 590,000 BIF | 1.5M BIF | 2.4M BIF |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Burundi ranges between 99,000 BIF and 400,000 BIF, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 150,000 BIF to 590,000 BIF. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 200,000 BIF and 790,000 BIF per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 240,000 BIF to 1.1M BIF. The average rent of a townhouse in Burundi is around 590,000 BIF while house rental costs can be as high as 1.2M BIF per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 590,000 BIF to 2.4M BIF per month.
Apartment and house prices in Burundi
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
| 40M BIF | 120M BIF | 240M BIF |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 130M BIF | 200M BIF | 590M BIF |
Townhouse price
| 170M BIF | 400M BIF | 1,500M BIF |
| $59,000 | $140,000 | $520,000 |
House price
| 200M BIF | 1,200M BIF | 1,700M BIF |
| $69,000 | $410,000 | $590,000 |
Villa price
| 240M BIF | 1,300M BIF | 2,000M BIF |
| $83,000 | $460,000 | $690,000 |
The average price of a studio apartment in Burundi can range from 20M BIF to 59M BIF depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 24M BIF to 150M BIF. A villa can cost you 1,300M BIF on average with prices ranging from 240M BIF to 2,000M BIF.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Burundi 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
| 30 | x82 monthly income | 189 |
Property prices in Burundi can be x82 to x189 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x82 multiples of the average monthly salary in Burundi.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Burundi is around 28%. This means that people pay 28% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 18% to 38% 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
26% 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.
| 1,800 BIF | 24,000 BIF | 240,000 BIF |
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 Burundi
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Burundi
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 3,700 BIF | 24,000 BIF | 160,000 BIF |
Internet and cable cost
| 5,900 BIF | 12,000 BIF | 16,000 BIF |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 4,700 BIF | 7,900 BIF | 24,000 BIF |
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 24,000 BIF. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 5,900 BIF to 16,000 BIF with 12,000 BIF being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 7,900 BIF but can range between 4,700 BIF and 24,000 BIF 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 Burundi is around 7%. This means that people pay 7% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Burundi
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Burundi
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 1,200 BIF | 2,400 BIF | 4,000 BIF |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Burundi is approximatly 2,400 BIF with meal cost ranging from 1,200 BIF to 4,000 BIF. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 4,000 BIF | 5,900 BIF | 12,000 BIF |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 4,000 BIF and 12,000 BIF with 5,900 BIF being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Burundi.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 7,900 BIF | 12,000 BIF | 47,000 BIF |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 7,900 BIF to 47,000 BIF with the average cost being 12,000 BIF for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Burundi.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
| 990 BIF | 1,600 BIF | 2,400 BIF |
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Burundi is around 1,600 BIF. Price ranges between 990 BIF and 2,400 BIF depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
| 790 BIF | 950 BIF | 1,200 BIF |
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Burundi is 950 BIF. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 1,200 BIF and the minimum being 790 BIF depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
| 590 BIF | 790 BIF | 1,200 BIF |
A dozen eggs costs around 790 BIF on average with 590 BIF and 1,200 BIF being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
| 1,300 BIF | 1,700 BIF | 2,500 BIF |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Burundi is between 1,300 BIF and 2,500 BIF depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 1,700 BIF.
Pack of beef price
| 1,600 BIF | 2,400 BIF | 4,700 BIF |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 2,400 BIF. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
| 640 BIF | 870 BIF | 1,200 BIF |
A bag of rice in Burundi costs around 870 BIF on average with prices rangeing between 640 BIF and 1,200 BIF depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 240 BIF to 590 BIF. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 550 BIF 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 Burundi is around 27%. This means that students spend 27% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 33% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 18,000 BIF to 810,000 BIF with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
