Cost Of Living For a Student in Luanda 2024
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: AOA
Average monthly spending for students in Luanda
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Luanda?
Students in Luanda spend around 230,000 AOA per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 35,000 AOA or as high as 1.5M AOA. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Luanda
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 410 AOA | 810 AOA | 1,400 AOA |
Restaurant meal for one
| 1,400 AOA | 2,100 AOA | 4,300 AOA |
Fine dining meal for one
| 2,800 AOA | 4,300 AOA | 17,000 AOA |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
| 540 AOA | 810 AOA | 1,600 AOA |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 2,000 AOA | 2,700 AOA | 5,400 AOA |
Average car 1-day rental
| 2,200 AOA | 3,000 AOA | 4,500 AOA |
Average car price
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 3,000 AOA | 4,500 AOA | 8,900 AOA |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 1,400 AOA | 9,200 AOA | 61,000 AOA |
Internet and cable
| 2,000 AOA | 4,100 AOA | 5,400 AOA |
Mobile phone charges
| 1,600 AOA | 2,700 AOA | 8,100 AOA |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 1,000 AOA | 1,400 AOA | 2,000 AOA |
One month gym membership
| 3,600 AOA | 4,500 AOA | 8,900 AOA |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 2,600 AOA | 3,700 AOA | 5,600 AOA |
Woman dress
| 2,500 AOA | 3,400 AOA | 11,000 AOA |
Woman shoes
| 2,300 AOA | 3,200 AOA | 7,400 AOA |
Men's shoes
| 2,000 AOA | 2,500 AOA | 5,000 AOA |
Men suit
| 2,200 AOA | 2,800 AOA | 15,000 AOA |
Regular t-shirt
| 1,100 AOA | 1,500 AOA | 4,500 AOA |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 37,000 AOA | 56,000 AOA | 150,000 AOA |
1-bedroom apartment
| 56,000 AOA | 89,000 AOA | 220,000 AOA |
2-bedroom apartment
| 74,000 AOA | 110,000 AOA | 300,000 AOA |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 41,000 AOA | 51,000 AOA | 68,000 AOA |
Double Bed
| 27,000 AOA | 41,000 AOA | 51,000 AOA |
Single Bed
| 24,000 AOA | 31,000 AOA | 41,000 AOA |
Living Room
| 45,000 AOA | 58,000 AOA | 200,000 AOA |
Dining Table
| 20,000 AOA | 27,000 AOA | 51,000 AOA |
Sofa or Couch
| 27,000 AOA | 37,000 AOA | 81,000 AOA |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 27,000 AOA | 41,000 AOA | 81,000 AOA |
Fridge or Freezer
| 24,000 AOA | 37,000 AOA | 51,000 AOA |
Washing Machine
| 31,000 AOA | 45,000 AOA | 81,000 AOA |
Stove or Cooker
| 29,000 AOA | 37,000 AOA | 51,000 AOA |
Mobile Phone
| 34,000 AOA | 41,000 AOA | 58,000 AOA |
Laptop or Computer
| 37,000 AOA | 45,000 AOA | 81,000 AOA |
How do students spend their money in Luanda?
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 | $9.8 8,300 AOA |
| AVERAGE | $65 55,000 AOA |
| HIGH | $430 370,000 AOA |
| Per Month |
Students in Luanda 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 55,000 AOA with expenditure ranging from 8,300 AOA to 370,000 AOA. 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 | $1.6 1,400 AOA |
| AVERAGE | $11 9,200 AOA |
| HIGH | $72 61,000 AOA |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Luanda ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 9,200 AOA with 1,400 AOA and 61,000 AOA 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 | $2.8 2,400 AOA |
| AVERAGE | $19 16,000 AOA |
| HIGH | $130 110,000 AOA |
| 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 2,400 AOA to 110,000 AOA in a month on commuting with 16,000 AOA 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 | $8.1 6,900 AOA |
| AVERAGE | $54 46,000 AOA |
| HIGH | $360 310,000 AOA |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Luanda is 46,000 AOA. The cost of groceries can range between 6,900 AOA to 310,000 AOA. 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 | $2.4 2,100 AOA |
| AVERAGE | $16 14,000 AOA |
| HIGH | $110 92,000 AOA |
| Per Month |
Students in Luanda 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 2,100 AOA to 92,000 AOA with 14,000 AOA 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 | $2 1,700 AOA |
| AVERAGE | $14 12,000 AOA |
| HIGH | $90 77,000 AOA |
| 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 AOA to 77,000 AOA with 12,000 AOA 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 | $7.7 6,600 AOA |
| AVERAGE | $52 44,000 AOA |
| HIGH | $340 290,000 AOA |
| 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 44,000 AOA per month with 6,600 AOA being the minimum spent amount and 290,000 AOA being the maximum.
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $6.1 5,200 AOA |
| AVERAGE | $41 35,000 AOA |
| HIGH | $270 230,000 AOA |
| 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 Luanda
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Luanda?
Around 52% of surveyed students think that living in Luanda is affordable with proper budgeting while 48% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Luanda
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 options60%
Few low-cost options40%
Based on the survey, 60% of the students living in Luanda have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 40% 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 Luanda whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes49%
No51%
Based on the survey, 51% of the students living in Luanda said that they don't have an emergency fund while 49% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Angola
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 Leteracy41%
We asked student guardians and parents in Luanda whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 59% 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 41% 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 Angola have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 57% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 43% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance57%
Easily manages finances43%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Luanda
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Luanda
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 37,000 AOA | 56,000 AOA | 150,000 AOA |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 56,000 AOA | 89,000 AOA | 220,000 AOA |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 74,000 AOA | 110,000 AOA | 300,000 AOA |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 89,000 AOA | 150,000 AOA | 410,000 AOA |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 180,000 AOA | 450,000 AOA | 890,000 AOA |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 150,000 AOA | 220,000 AOA | 640,000 AOA |
House monthly rent cost
| 180,000 AOA | 450,000 AOA | 890,000 AOA |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 220,000 AOA | 560,000 AOA | 890,000 AOA |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Luanda ranges between 37,000 AOA and 150,000 AOA, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 56,000 AOA to 220,000 AOA. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 74,000 AOA and 300,000 AOA per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 89,000 AOA to 410,000 AOA. The average rent of a townhouse in Luanda is around 220,000 AOA while house rental costs can be as high as 450,000 AOA per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 220,000 AOA to 890,000 AOA per month.
Apartment and house prices in Luanda
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
3-bedroom apartment price
Townhouse price
| 64M AOA | 150M AOA | 560M AOA |
| $75,000 | $180,000 | $660,000 |
House price
| 74M AOA | 450M AOA | 640M AOA |
| $88,000 | $530,000 | $750,000 |
Villa price
| 89M AOA | 500M AOA | 740M AOA |
| $110,000 | $580,000 | $880,000 |
The average price of a studio apartment in Luanda can range from 7.4M AOA to 22M AOA depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 8.9M AOA to 56M AOA. A villa can cost you 500M AOA on average with prices ranging from 89M AOA to 740M AOA.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Luanda 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 | x81 monthly income | 207 |
Property prices in Luanda can be x81 to x207 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x81 multiples of the average monthly salary in Luanda.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Luanda is around 31%. This means that people pay 31% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 19% to 42% 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.
| 690 AOA | 9,000 AOA | 90,000 AOA |
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 Luanda
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Luanda
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 1,400 AOA | 9,200 AOA | 61,000 AOA |
Internet and cable cost
| 2,000 AOA | 4,100 AOA | 5,400 AOA |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 1,600 AOA | 2,700 AOA | 8,100 AOA |
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 9,200 AOA. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 2,000 AOA to 5,400 AOA with 4,100 AOA being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 2,700 AOA but can range between 1,600 AOA and 8,100 AOA 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 Luanda is around 7.9%. This means that people pay 7.9% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4.5% to 13% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Luanda
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Luanda
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 410 AOA | 810 AOA | 1,400 AOA |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Luanda is approximatly 810 AOA with meal cost ranging from 410 AOA to 1,400 AOA. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 1,400 AOA | 2,100 AOA | 4,300 AOA |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 1,400 AOA and 4,300 AOA with 2,100 AOA being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Luanda.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 2,800 AOA | 4,300 AOA | 17,000 AOA |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 2,800 AOA to 17,000 AOA with the average cost being 4,300 AOA for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Luanda.
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 Luanda is around 540 AOA. Price ranges between 340 AOA and 810 AOA 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 Luanda is 330 AOA. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 410 AOA and the minimum being 270 AOA depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 270 AOA on average with 200 AOA and 410 AOA being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Luanda is between 460 AOA and 850 AOA depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 600 AOA.
Pack of beef price
| 540 AOA | 810 AOA | 1,600 AOA |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 810 AOA. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Luanda costs around 300 AOA on average with prices rangeing between 220 AOA and 420 AOA depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 81 AOA to 200 AOA. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 190 AOA 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 Luanda is around 32%. This means that students spend 32% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 23% to 39% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 6,900 AOA to 310,000 AOA with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
