Cost Of Living For a Student in Kinshasa 2024
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: CDF
Average monthly spending for students in Kinshasa
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Kinshasa?
Students in Kinshasa spend around 280,000 CDF per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 43,000 CDF or as high as 1.9M CDF. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Kinshasa
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 500 CDF | 1,000 CDF | 1,700 CDF |
Restaurant meal for one
| 1,700 CDF | 2,600 CDF | 5,200 CDF |
Fine dining meal for one
| 3,500 CDF | 5,200 CDF | 21,000 CDF |
Cappuccino or latte
| 410 CDF | 660 CDF | 1,000 CDF |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
| 570 CDF | 730 CDF | 1,000 CDF |
Pack of beef
| 660 CDF | 1,000 CDF | 2,000 CDF |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
| 430 CDF | 520 CDF | 1,000 CDF |
Average car full tank
| 2,500 CDF | 3,300 CDF | 6,600 CDF |
Average car 1-day rental
| 2,700 CDF | 3,600 CDF | 5,500 CDF |
Average car price
| 1.2M CDF | 2.5M CDF | 3.3M CDF |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 3,600 CDF | 5,500 CDF | 11,000 CDF |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 1,700 CDF | 11,000 CDF | 76,000 CDF |
Internet and cable
| 2,500 CDF | 5,000 CDF | 6,600 CDF |
Mobile phone charges
| 2,000 CDF | 3,300 CDF | 10,000 CDF |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 1,200 CDF | 1,700 CDF | 2,500 CDF |
One month gym membership
| 4,400 CDF | 5,500 CDF | 11,000 CDF |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 3,200 CDF | 4,500 CDF | 6,800 CDF |
Woman dress
| 3,000 CDF | 4,200 CDF | 14,000 CDF |
Woman shoes
| 2,900 CDF | 3,900 CDF | 9,100 CDF |
Men's shoes
| 2,500 CDF | 3,000 CDF | 6,100 CDF |
Men suit
| 2,700 CDF | 3,400 CDF | 18,000 CDF |
Regular t-shirt
| 1,400 CDF | 1,800 CDF | 5,500 CDF |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 45,000 CDF | 68,000 CDF | 180,000 CDF |
1-bedroom apartment
| 68,000 CDF | 110,000 CDF | 270,000 CDF |
2-bedroom apartment
| 91,000 CDF | 140,000 CDF | 360,000 CDF |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 50,000 CDF | 62,000 CDF | 83,000 CDF |
Double Bed
| 33,000 CDF | 50,000 CDF | 62,000 CDF |
Single Bed
| 29,000 CDF | 38,000 CDF | 50,000 CDF |
Living Room
| 55,000 CDF | 71,000 CDF | 250,000 CDF |
Dining Table
| 25,000 CDF | 33,000 CDF | 62,000 CDF |
Sofa or Couch
| 33,000 CDF | 45,000 CDF | 100,000 CDF |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 33,000 CDF | 50,000 CDF | 100,000 CDF |
Fridge or Freezer
| 29,000 CDF | 45,000 CDF | 62,000 CDF |
Washing Machine
| 38,000 CDF | 55,000 CDF | 100,000 CDF |
Stove or Cooker
| 36,000 CDF | 45,000 CDF | 62,000 CDF |
Mobile Phone
| 41,000 CDF | 50,000 CDF | 71,000 CDF |
Laptop or Computer
| 45,000 CDF | 55,000 CDF | 100,000 CDF |
How do students spend their money in Kinshasa?
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 | $3.7 10,000 CDF |
| AVERAGE | $25 68,000 CDF |
| HIGH | $160 460,000 CDF |
| Per Month |
Students in Kinshasa 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 68,000 CDF with expenditure ranging from 10,000 CDF to 460,000 CDF. 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 | $0.61 1,700 CDF |
| AVERAGE | $4.1 11,000 CDF |
| HIGH | $27 76,000 CDF |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Kinshasa ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 11,000 CDF with 1,700 CDF and 76,000 CDF 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 | $1.1 3,000 CDF |
| AVERAGE | $7.2 20,000 CDF |
| HIGH | $48 130,000 CDF |
| 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 3,000 CDF to 130,000 CDF in a month on commuting with 20,000 CDF 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 | $3.1 8,500 CDF |
| AVERAGE | $21 57,000 CDF |
| HIGH | $140 380,000 CDF |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Kinshasa is 57,000 CDF. The cost of groceries can range between 8,500 CDF to 380,000 CDF. 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 | $0.92 2,600 CDF |
| AVERAGE | $6.2 17,000 CDF |
| HIGH | $41 110,000 CDF |
| Per Month |
Students in Kinshasa 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 2,600 CDF to 110,000 CDF with 17,000 CDF 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 | $0.77 2,100 CDF |
| AVERAGE | $5.1 14,000 CDF |
| HIGH | $34 95,000 CDF |
| 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 2,100 CDF to 95,000 CDF with 14,000 CDF 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 | $2.9 8,100 CDF |
| AVERAGE | $20 54,000 CDF |
| HIGH | $130 360,000 CDF |
| 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 54,000 CDF per month with 8,100 CDF being the minimum spent amount and 360,000 CDF being the maximum.
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $2.3 6,400 CDF |
| AVERAGE | $15 43,000 CDF |
| HIGH | $100 280,000 CDF |
| 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 Kinshasa
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Kinshasa?
Around 52% of surveyed students think that living in Kinshasa 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 Kinshasa
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 options63%
Few low-cost options37%
Based on the survey, 63% of the students living in Kinshasa have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 37% 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 Kinshasa whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes52%
No49%
Based on the survey, 49% of the students living in Kinshasa said that they don't have an emergency fund while 52% 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 student guardians and parents in Kinshasa 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 students 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%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Kinshasa
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Kinshasa
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 45,000 CDF | 68,000 CDF | 180,000 CDF |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 68,000 CDF | 110,000 CDF | 270,000 CDF |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 91,000 CDF | 140,000 CDF | 360,000 CDF |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 110,000 CDF | 180,000 CDF | 500,000 CDF |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 220,000 CDF | 550,000 CDF | 1.1M CDF |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 180,000 CDF | 270,000 CDF | 780,000 CDF |
House monthly rent cost
| 220,000 CDF | 550,000 CDF | 1.1M CDF |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 270,000 CDF | 680,000 CDF | 1.1M CDF |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Kinshasa ranges between 45,000 CDF and 180,000 CDF, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 68,000 CDF to 270,000 CDF. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 91,000 CDF and 360,000 CDF per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 110,000 CDF to 500,000 CDF. The average rent of a townhouse in Kinshasa is around 270,000 CDF while house rental costs can be as high as 550,000 CDF per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 270,000 CDF to 1.1M CDF per month.
Apartment and house prices in Kinshasa
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
3-bedroom apartment price
Townhouse price
| 78M CDF | 180M CDF | 680M CDF |
House price
| 91M CDF | 550M CDF | 780M CDF |
| $33,000 | $200,000 | $280,000 |
Villa price
| 110M CDF | 610M CDF | 910M CDF |
| $39,000 | $220,000 | $330,000 |
The average price of a studio apartment in Kinshasa can range from 9.1M CDF to 27M CDF depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 11M CDF to 68M CDF. A villa can cost you 610M CDF on average with prices ranging from 110M CDF to 910M CDF.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Kinshasa 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 | 221 |
Property prices in Kinshasa can be x101 to x221 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 Kinshasa.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Kinshasa is around 33%. This means that people pay 33% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 22% 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
30% 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.
| 850 CDF | 11,000 CDF | 110,000 CDF |
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 Kinshasa
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Kinshasa
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 1,700 CDF | 11,000 CDF | 76,000 CDF |
Internet and cable cost
| 2,500 CDF | 5,000 CDF | 6,600 CDF |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 2,000 CDF | 3,300 CDF | 10,000 CDF |
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 11,000 CDF. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 2,500 CDF to 6,600 CDF with 5,000 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 10,000 CDF 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 Kinshasa is around 6.9%. This means that people pay 6.9% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.4% to 12% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Kinshasa
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Kinshasa
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 500 CDF | 1,000 CDF | 1,700 CDF |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Kinshasa is approximatly 1,000 CDF with meal cost ranging from 500 CDF to 1,700 CDF. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 1,700 CDF | 2,600 CDF | 5,200 CDF |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 1,700 CDF and 5,200 CDF with 2,600 CDF being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Kinshasa.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 3,500 CDF | 5,200 CDF | 21,000 CDF |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 3,500 CDF to 21,000 CDF with the average cost being 5,200 CDF for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Kinshasa.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
| 410 CDF | 660 CDF | 1,000 CDF |
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Kinshasa is around 660 CDF. Price ranges between 410 CDF and 1,000 CDF 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 Kinshasa is 400 CDF. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 500 CDF and the minimum being 330 CDF depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 330 CDF on average with 250 CDF and 500 CDF being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
| 570 CDF | 730 CDF | 1,000 CDF |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Kinshasa is between 570 CDF and 1,000 CDF depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 730 CDF.
Pack of beef price
| 660 CDF | 1,000 CDF | 2,000 CDF |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 1,000 CDF. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Kinshasa costs around 370 CDF on average with prices rangeing between 270 CDF and 520 CDF depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 100 CDF to 250 CDF. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
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
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Kinshasa is around 31%. This means that students spend 31% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 22% to 38% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 8,500 CDF to 380,000 CDF with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
