Cost Of Living For a Student in Central African Republic 2024
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: XAF
Average monthly spending for students in Central African Republic
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Central African Republic?
Students in Central African Republic spend around 220,000 XAF per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 33,000 XAF or as high as 1.5M XAF. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Central African Republic
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 430 XAF | 870 XAF | 1,400 XAF |
Restaurant meal for one
| 1,400 XAF | 2,200 XAF | 4,300 XAF |
Fine dining meal for one
| 2,900 XAF | 4,300 XAF | 17,000 XAF |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
| 580 XAF | 870 XAF | 1,700 XAF |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 2,200 XAF | 2,900 XAF | 5,800 XAF |
Average car 1-day rental
| 2,200 XAF | 2,900 XAF | 4,300 XAF |
Average car price
| 1.1M XAF | 2.2M XAF | 2.9M XAF |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 2,900 XAF | 4,300 XAF | 8,700 XAF |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 1,300 XAF | 8,800 XAF | 58,000 XAF |
Internet and cable
| 2,200 XAF | 4,300 XAF | 5,800 XAF |
Mobile phone charges
| 1,700 XAF | 2,900 XAF | 8,700 XAF |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 1,100 XAF | 1,400 XAF | 2,200 XAF |
One month gym membership
| 3,500 XAF | 4,300 XAF | 8,700 XAF |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 2,600 XAF | 3,600 XAF | 5,400 XAF |
Woman dress
| 2,400 XAF | 3,300 XAF | 11,000 XAF |
Woman shoes
| 2,300 XAF | 3,100 XAF | 7,200 XAF |
Men's shoes
| 2,000 XAF | 2,400 XAF | 4,800 XAF |
Men suit
| 2,200 XAF | 2,700 XAF | 14,000 XAF |
Regular t-shirt
| 1,100 XAF | 1,400 XAF | 4,300 XAF |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 36,000 XAF | 54,000 XAF | 140,000 XAF |
1-bedroom apartment
| 54,000 XAF | 87,000 XAF | 220,000 XAF |
2-bedroom apartment
| 72,000 XAF | 110,000 XAF | 290,000 XAF |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 43,000 XAF | 54,000 XAF | 72,000 XAF |
Double Bed
| 29,000 XAF | 43,000 XAF | 54,000 XAF |
Single Bed
| 26,000 XAF | 33,000 XAF | 43,000 XAF |
Living Room
| 48,000 XAF | 62,000 XAF | 220,000 XAF |
Dining Table
| 22,000 XAF | 29,000 XAF | 54,000 XAF |
Sofa or Couch
| 29,000 XAF | 39,000 XAF | 87,000 XAF |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 29,000 XAF | 43,000 XAF | 87,000 XAF |
Fridge or Freezer
| 26,000 XAF | 39,000 XAF | 54,000 XAF |
Washing Machine
| 33,000 XAF | 48,000 XAF | 87,000 XAF |
Stove or Cooker
| 31,000 XAF | 39,000 XAF | 54,000 XAF |
Mobile Phone
| 36,000 XAF | 43,000 XAF | 62,000 XAF |
Laptop or Computer
| 39,000 XAF | 48,000 XAF | 87,000 XAF |
How do students spend their money in Central African Republic?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost19%
19% of total expenses on average (14% to 25%)
| LOW | $13 7,900 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $87 53,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $580 350,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
Students in Central African Republic typically spend from 14% to 25% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 19% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 53,000 XAF with expenditure ranging from 7,900 XAF to 350,000 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 | $2.2 1,300 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $14 8,800 XAF |
| HIGH | $97 58,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Central African Republic ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 8,800 XAF with 1,300 XAF and 58,000 XAF being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $3.8 2,300 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $25 15,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $170 100,000 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 2,300 XAF to 100,000 XAF in a month on commuting with 15,000 XAF being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 5% or as high as 11%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost22%
22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)
| LOW | $11 6,600 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $72 44,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $480 290,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Central African Republic is 44,000 XAF. The cost of groceries can range between 6,600 XAF to 290,000 XAF. Students spend on average about 22% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 16% and 26% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $3.3 2,000 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $22 13,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $140 88,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
Students in Central African Republic allocate 5% to 11% 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 8%. The range of medical expenses range from 2,000 XAF to 88,000 XAF with 13,000 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 | $2.7 1,700 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $18 11,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $120 73,000 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 1,700 XAF to 73,000 XAF with 11,000 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 schooling19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $10 6,300 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $69 42,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $460 280,000 XAF |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 19% of the monthly expenditure of students with 12% and 24% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 42,000 XAF per month with 6,300 XAF being the minimum spent amount and 280,000 XAF being the maximum.
Other Expenses18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $8.2 5,000 XAF |
| AVERAGE | $54 33,000 XAF |
| HIGH | $360 220,000 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 Central African Republic
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Central African Republic?
Around 51% of surveyed students think that living in Central African Republic is affordable with proper budgeting while 49% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Central African Republic
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 options53%
Few low-cost options47%
Based on the survey, 53% of the students living in Central African Republic have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 47% 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 Central African Republic whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes47%
No53%
Based on the survey, 53% of the students living in Central African Republic said that they don't have an emergency fund while 47% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Central African 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 Leteracy46%
We asked student guardians and parents in Central African Republic whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 54% 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 46% 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 Central African 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? 56% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 44% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance56%
Easily manages finances44%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Central African Republic
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Central African Republic
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 36,000 XAF | 54,000 XAF | 140,000 XAF |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 54,000 XAF | 87,000 XAF | 220,000 XAF |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 72,000 XAF | 110,000 XAF | 290,000 XAF |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 87,000 XAF | 140,000 XAF | 390,000 XAF |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 170,000 XAF | 430,000 XAF | 870,000 XAF |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 140,000 XAF | 220,000 XAF | 620,000 XAF |
House monthly rent cost
| 170,000 XAF | 430,000 XAF | 870,000 XAF |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 220,000 XAF | 540,000 XAF | 870,000 XAF |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Central African Republic ranges between 36,000 XAF and 140,000 XAF, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 54,000 XAF to 220,000 XAF. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 72,000 XAF and 290,000 XAF per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 87,000 XAF to 390,000 XAF. The average rent of a townhouse in Central African Republic is around 220,000 XAF while house rental costs can be as high as 430,000 XAF per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 220,000 XAF to 870,000 XAF per month.
Apartment and house prices in Central African Republic
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
3-bedroom apartment price
| $80,000 | $120,000 | $360,000 |
Townhouse price
| 62M XAF | 140M XAF | 540M XAF |
| $100,000 | $240,000 | $900,000 |
House price
| 72M XAF | 430M XAF | 620M XAF |
Villa price
| 87M XAF | 480M XAF | 720M XAF |
The average price of a studio apartment in Central African Republic can range from 7.2M XAF to 22M XAF depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 8.7M XAF to 54M XAF. A villa can cost you 480M XAF on average with prices ranging from 87M XAF to 720M XAF.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Central African Republic 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
| 35 | x101 monthly income | 201 |
Property prices in Central African Republic can be x101 to x201 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x101 multiples of the average monthly salary in Central African Republic.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Central African Republic is around 30%. This means that people pay 30% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 20% to 40% 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
28% 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.
| 660 XAF | 8,600 XAF | 86,000 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 Central African Republic
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Central African Republic
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 1,300 XAF | 8,800 XAF | 58,000 XAF |
Internet and cable cost
| 2,200 XAF | 4,300 XAF | 5,800 XAF |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 1,700 XAF | 2,900 XAF | 8,700 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 8,800 XAF. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 2,200 XAF to 5,800 XAF with 4,300 XAF being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 2,900 XAF but can range between 1,700 XAF and 8,700 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 Central African Republic is around 6%. This means that people pay 6% 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 Central African Republic
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Central African Republic
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 430 XAF | 870 XAF | 1,400 XAF |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Central African Republic is approximatly 870 XAF with meal cost ranging from 430 XAF to 1,400 XAF. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 1,400 XAF | 2,200 XAF | 4,300 XAF |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 1,400 XAF and 4,300 XAF with 2,200 XAF being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Central African Republic.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 2,900 XAF | 4,300 XAF | 17,000 XAF |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 2,900 XAF to 17,000 XAF with the average cost being 4,300 XAF for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Central African Republic.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Central African Republic is around 580 XAF. Price ranges between 360 XAF and 870 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 Central African Republic is 350 XAF. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 430 XAF and the minimum being 290 XAF depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 290 XAF on average with 220 XAF and 430 XAF being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Central African Republic is between 490 XAF and 900 XAF depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 640 XAF.
Pack of beef price
| 580 XAF | 870 XAF | 1,700 XAF |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 870 XAF. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Central African Republic costs around 320 XAF on average with prices rangeing between 230 XAF and 450 XAF depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 87 XAF to 220 XAF. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 200 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 Central African Republic is around 26%. This means that students spend 26% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 18% to 32% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 6,600 XAF to 290,000 XAF with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
