Cost Of Living For a Student in Mbuji-Mayi 2024
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: CDF
Average monthly spending for students in Mbuji-Mayi
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Mbuji-Mayi?
Students in Mbuji-Mayi spend around 240,000 CDF per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 36,000 CDF or as high as 1.6M CDF. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Mbuji-Mayi
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 450 CDF | 910 CDF | 1,500 CDF |
Restaurant meal for one
| 1,500 CDF | 2,300 CDF | 4,600 CDF |
Fine dining meal for one
| 3,100 CDF | 4,600 CDF | 18,000 CDF |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
| 610 CDF | 910 CDF | 1,800 CDF |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 2,300 CDF | 3,000 CDF | 6,100 CDF |
Average car 1-day rental
| 2,300 CDF | 3,100 CDF | 4,600 CDF |
Average car price
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 3,100 CDF | 4,600 CDF | 9,300 CDF |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 1,400 CDF | 9,700 CDF | 65,000 CDF |
Internet and cable
| 2,300 CDF | 4,500 CDF | 6,100 CDF |
Mobile phone charges
| 1,800 CDF | 3,000 CDF | 9,100 CDF |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 1,100 CDF | 1,500 CDF | 2,300 CDF |
One month gym membership
| 3,700 CDF | 4,600 CDF | 9,300 CDF |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 2,700 CDF | 3,900 CDF | 5,800 CDF |
Woman dress
| 2,600 CDF | 3,600 CDF | 12,000 CDF |
Woman shoes
| 2,400 CDF | 3,300 CDF | 7,700 CDF |
Men's shoes
| 2,100 CDF | 2,600 CDF | 5,200 CDF |
Men suit
| 2,300 CDF | 2,900 CDF | 15,000 CDF |
Regular t-shirt
| 1,200 CDF | 1,500 CDF | 4,600 CDF |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 39,000 CDF | 58,000 CDF | 150,000 CDF |
1-bedroom apartment
| 58,000 CDF | 93,000 CDF | 230,000 CDF |
2-bedroom apartment
| 77,000 CDF | 120,000 CDF | 310,000 CDF |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 45,000 CDF | 57,000 CDF | 76,000 CDF |
Double Bed
| 30,000 CDF | 45,000 CDF | 57,000 CDF |
Single Bed
| 27,000 CDF | 35,000 CDF | 45,000 CDF |
Living Room
| 51,000 CDF | 65,000 CDF | 230,000 CDF |
Dining Table
| 23,000 CDF | 30,000 CDF | 57,000 CDF |
Sofa or Couch
| 30,000 CDF | 41,000 CDF | 91,000 CDF |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 30,000 CDF | 45,000 CDF | 91,000 CDF |
Fridge or Freezer
| 27,000 CDF | 41,000 CDF | 57,000 CDF |
Washing Machine
| 35,000 CDF | 51,000 CDF | 91,000 CDF |
Stove or Cooker
| 32,000 CDF | 41,000 CDF | 57,000 CDF |
Mobile Phone
| 38,000 CDF | 45,000 CDF | 65,000 CDF |
Laptop or Computer
| 41,000 CDF | 51,000 CDF | 91,000 CDF |
How do students spend their money in Mbuji-Mayi?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost15%
15% of total expenses on average (10% to 21%)
| LOW | $3.1 8,700 CDF |
| AVERAGE | $21 58,000 CDF |
| HIGH | $140 390,000 CDF |
| Per Month |
Students in Mbuji-Mayi typically spend from 10% to 21% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 15% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 58,000 CDF with expenditure ranging from 8,700 CDF to 390,000 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 utilities8%
8% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $0.52 1,400 CDF |
| AVERAGE | $3.5 9,700 CDF |
| HIGH | $23 65,000 CDF |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Mbuji-Mayi ranges from 6% to 12% of total expenses with 8% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 9,700 CDF with 1,400 CDF and 65,000 CDF being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel3%
3% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)
| LOW | $0.92 2,500 CDF |
| AVERAGE | $6.1 17,000 CDF |
| HIGH | $41 110,000 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 2,500 CDF to 110,000 CDF in a month on commuting with 17,000 CDF being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 3% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 9%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost24%
24% of total expenses on average (18% to 28%)
| LOW | $2.6 7,200 CDF |
| AVERAGE | $18 49,000 CDF |
| HIGH | $120 320,000 CDF |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Mbuji-Mayi is 49,000 CDF. The cost of groceries can range between 7,200 CDF to 320,000 CDF. Students spend on average about 24% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 18% and 28% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare10%
10% of total expenses on average (7% to 13%)
| LOW | $0.78 2,200 CDF |
| AVERAGE | $5.3 15,000 CDF |
| HIGH | $35 97,000 CDF |
| Per Month |
Students in Mbuji-Mayi allocate 7% to 13% 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 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 2,200 CDF to 97,000 CDF with 15,000 CDF being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping1%
1% of total expenses on average (1% to 5%)
| LOW | $0.65 1,800 CDF |
| AVERAGE | $4.4 12,000 CDF |
| HIGH | $29 81,000 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 1,800 CDF to 81,000 CDF with 12,000 CDF being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 5% of total expenses with an average of 1% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $2.5 6,900 CDF |
| AVERAGE | $17 46,000 CDF |
| HIGH | $110 310,000 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 46,000 CDF per month with 6,900 CDF being the minimum spent amount and 310,000 CDF being the maximum.
Other Expenses20%
20% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)
| LOW | $2 5,400 CDF |
| AVERAGE | $13 36,000 CDF |
| HIGH | $88 240,000 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 Mbuji-Mayi
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Mbuji-Mayi?
Around 44% of surveyed students think that living in Mbuji-Mayi is affordable with proper budgeting while 56% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Mbuji-Mayi
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 options54%
Few low-cost options46%
Based on the survey, 54% of the students living in Mbuji-Mayi have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 46% 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 Mbuji-Mayi whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes44%
No56%
Based on the survey, 56% of the students living in Mbuji-Mayi said that they don't have an emergency fund while 44% 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 Mbuji-Mayi 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 Mbuji-Mayi
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Mbuji-Mayi
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 39,000 CDF | 58,000 CDF | 150,000 CDF |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 58,000 CDF | 93,000 CDF | 230,000 CDF |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 77,000 CDF | 120,000 CDF | 310,000 CDF |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 93,000 CDF | 150,000 CDF | 420,000 CDF |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 190,000 CDF | 460,000 CDF | 930,000 CDF |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 150,000 CDF | 230,000 CDF | 660,000 CDF |
House monthly rent cost
| 190,000 CDF | 460,000 CDF | 930,000 CDF |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 230,000 CDF | 580,000 CDF | 930,000 CDF |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Mbuji-Mayi ranges between 39,000 CDF and 150,000 CDF, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 58,000 CDF to 230,000 CDF. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 77,000 CDF and 310,000 CDF per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 93,000 CDF to 420,000 CDF. The average rent of a townhouse in Mbuji-Mayi is around 230,000 CDF while house rental costs can be as high as 460,000 CDF per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 230,000 CDF to 930,000 CDF per month.
Apartment and house prices in Mbuji-Mayi
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
3-bedroom apartment price
Townhouse price
| 66M CDF | 150M CDF | 580M CDF |
House price
| 77M CDF | 460M CDF | 660M CDF |
| $28,000 | $170,000 | $240,000 |
Villa price
| 93M CDF | 520M CDF | 770M CDF |
| $34,000 | $190,000 | $280,000 |
The average price of a studio apartment in Mbuji-Mayi can range from 7.7M CDF to 23M CDF depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 9.3M CDF to 58M CDF. A villa can cost you 520M CDF on average with prices ranging from 93M CDF to 770M CDF.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Mbuji-Mayi 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 | x86 monthly income | 188 |
Property prices in Mbuji-Mayi can be x86 to x188 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x86 multiples of the average monthly salary in Mbuji-Mayi.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Mbuji-Mayi is around 28%. This means that people pay 28% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 19% 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.
| 720 CDF | 9,400 CDF | 94,000 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 Mbuji-Mayi
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Mbuji-Mayi
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 1,400 CDF | 9,700 CDF | 65,000 CDF |
Internet and cable cost
| 2,300 CDF | 4,500 CDF | 6,100 CDF |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 1,800 CDF | 3,000 CDF | 9,100 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 9,700 CDF. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 2,300 CDF to 6,100 CDF with 4,500 CDF being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 3,000 CDF but can range between 1,800 CDF and 9,100 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 Mbuji-Mayi is around 5.9%. This means that people pay 5.9% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.9% to 9.8% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Mbuji-Mayi
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Mbuji-Mayi
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 450 CDF | 910 CDF | 1,500 CDF |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Mbuji-Mayi is approximatly 910 CDF with meal cost ranging from 450 CDF to 1,500 CDF. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 1,500 CDF | 2,300 CDF | 4,600 CDF |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 1,500 CDF and 4,600 CDF with 2,300 CDF being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Mbuji-Mayi.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 3,100 CDF | 4,600 CDF | 18,000 CDF |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 3,100 CDF to 18,000 CDF with the average cost being 4,600 CDF for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Mbuji-Mayi.
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 Mbuji-Mayi is around 610 CDF. Price ranges between 380 CDF and 910 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 Mbuji-Mayi is 360 CDF. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 450 CDF and the minimum being 300 CDF depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 300 CDF on average with 230 CDF and 450 CDF being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Mbuji-Mayi is between 520 CDF and 950 CDF depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 670 CDF.
Pack of beef price
| 610 CDF | 910 CDF | 1,800 CDF |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 910 CDF. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Mbuji-Mayi costs around 330 CDF on average with prices rangeing between 240 CDF and 470 CDF depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 91 CDF to 230 CDF. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 210 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 Mbuji-Mayi is around 26%. This means that students spend 26% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 32% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 7,200 CDF to 320,000 CDF with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
