Cost Of Living For a Student in Ouagadougou 2024
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: XOF
Average monthly spending for students in Ouagadougou
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Ouagadougou?
Students in Ouagadougou spend around 190,000 XOF per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 28,000 XOF or as high as 1.3M XOF. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Ouagadougou
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 330 XOF | 670 XOF | 1,100 XOF |
Restaurant meal for one
| 1,200 XOF | 1,800 XOF | 3,500 XOF |
Fine dining meal for one
| 2,300 XOF | 3,500 XOF | 14,000 XOF |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
| 450 XOF | 670 XOF | 1,300 XOF |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 1,700 XOF | 2,200 XOF | 4,500 XOF |
Average car 1-day rental
| 1,800 XOF | 2,400 XOF | 3,700 XOF |
Average car price
| 840,000 XOF | 1.7M XOF | 2.2M XOF |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 2,400 XOF | 3,700 XOF | 7,300 XOF |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 1,100 XOF | 7,500 XOF | 50,000 XOF |
Internet and cable
| 1,700 XOF | 3,300 XOF | 4,500 XOF |
Mobile phone charges
| 1,300 XOF | 2,200 XOF | 6,700 XOF |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 840 XOF | 1,100 XOF | 1,700 XOF |
One month gym membership
| 2,900 XOF | 3,700 XOF | 7,300 XOF |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 2,200 XOF | 3,100 XOF | 4,600 XOF |
Woman dress
| 2,000 XOF | 2,800 XOF | 9,200 XOF |
Woman shoes
| 1,900 XOF | 2,600 XOF | 6,100 XOF |
Men's shoes
| 1,700 XOF | 2,000 XOF | 4,100 XOF |
Men suit
| 1,800 XOF | 2,300 XOF | 12,000 XOF |
Regular t-shirt
| 920 XOF | 1,200 XOF | 3,700 XOF |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 31,000 XOF | 46,000 XOF | 120,000 XOF |
1-bedroom apartment
| 46,000 XOF | 73,000 XOF | 180,000 XOF |
2-bedroom apartment
| 61,000 XOF | 92,000 XOF | 240,000 XOF |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 6.1M XOF | 9.2M XOF | 18M XOF |
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 33,000 XOF | 42,000 XOF | 56,000 XOF |
Double Bed
| 22,000 XOF | 33,000 XOF | 42,000 XOF |
Single Bed
| 20,000 XOF | 26,000 XOF | 33,000 XOF |
Living Room
| 37,000 XOF | 48,000 XOF | 170,000 XOF |
Dining Table
| 17,000 XOF | 22,000 XOF | 42,000 XOF |
Sofa or Couch
| 22,000 XOF | 30,000 XOF | 67,000 XOF |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 22,000 XOF | 33,000 XOF | 67,000 XOF |
Fridge or Freezer
| 20,000 XOF | 30,000 XOF | 42,000 XOF |
Washing Machine
| 26,000 XOF | 37,000 XOF | 67,000 XOF |
Stove or Cooker
| 24,000 XOF | 30,000 XOF | 42,000 XOF |
Mobile Phone
| 28,000 XOF | 33,000 XOF | 48,000 XOF |
Laptop or Computer
| 30,000 XOF | 37,000 XOF | 67,000 XOF |
How do students spend their money in Ouagadougou?
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 | $11 6,800 XOF |
| AVERAGE | $74 45,000 XOF |
| HIGH | $500 300,000 XOF |
| Per Month |
Students in Ouagadougou 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 45,000 XOF with expenditure ranging from 6,800 XOF to 300,000 XOF. 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 | $1.9 1,100 XOF |
| AVERAGE | $12 7,500 XOF |
| HIGH | $83 50,000 XOF |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Ouagadougou ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 7,500 XOF with 1,100 XOF and 50,000 XOF 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 | $3.3 2,000 XOF |
| AVERAGE | $22 13,000 XOF |
| HIGH | $140 88,000 XOF |
| 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 2,000 XOF to 88,000 XOF in a month on commuting with 13,000 XOF 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 | $9.3 5,600 XOF |
| AVERAGE | $62 38,000 XOF |
| HIGH | $410 250,000 XOF |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Ouagadougou is 38,000 XOF. The cost of groceries can range between 5,600 XOF to 250,000 XOF. 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 | $2.8 1,700 XOF |
| AVERAGE | $19 11,000 XOF |
| HIGH | $120 75,000 XOF |
| Per Month |
Students in Ouagadougou 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 1,700 XOF to 75,000 XOF with 11,000 XOF 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 | $2.3 1,400 XOF |
| AVERAGE | $16 9,400 XOF |
| HIGH | $100 63,000 XOF |
| 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 1,400 XOF to 63,000 XOF with 9,400 XOF 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 | $8.9 5,400 XOF |
| AVERAGE | $59 36,000 XOF |
| HIGH | $390 240,000 XOF |
| 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 36,000 XOF per month with 5,400 XOF being the minimum spent amount and 240,000 XOF being the maximum.
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $7 4,200 XOF |
| AVERAGE | $47 28,000 XOF |
| HIGH | $310 190,000 XOF |
| 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 Ouagadougou
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Ouagadougou?
Around 53% of surveyed students think that living in Ouagadougou is affordable with proper budgeting while 47% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Ouagadougou
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 Ouagadougou 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 Ouagadougou whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes51%
No49%
Based on the survey, 49% of the students living in Ouagadougou said that they don't have an emergency fund while 51% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Burkina Faso
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 Ouagadougou 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 Burkina Faso have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 55% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 45% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance55%
Easily manages finances45%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Ouagadougou
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Ouagadougou
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 31,000 XOF | 46,000 XOF | 120,000 XOF |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 46,000 XOF | 73,000 XOF | 180,000 XOF |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 61,000 XOF | 92,000 XOF | 240,000 XOF |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 73,000 XOF | 120,000 XOF | 330,000 XOF |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 150,000 XOF | 370,000 XOF | 730,000 XOF |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 120,000 XOF | 180,000 XOF | 520,000 XOF |
House monthly rent cost
| 150,000 XOF | 370,000 XOF | 730,000 XOF |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 180,000 XOF | 460,000 XOF | 730,000 XOF |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Ouagadougou ranges between 31,000 XOF and 120,000 XOF, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 46,000 XOF to 180,000 XOF. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 61,000 XOF and 240,000 XOF per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 73,000 XOF to 330,000 XOF. The average rent of a townhouse in Ouagadougou is around 180,000 XOF while house rental costs can be as high as 370,000 XOF per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 180,000 XOF to 730,000 XOF per month.
Apartment and house prices in Ouagadougou
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 6.1M XOF | 9.2M XOF | 18M XOF |
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
3-bedroom apartment price
| $68,000 | $100,000 | $300,000 |
Townhouse price
| 52M XOF | 120M XOF | 460M XOF |
| $87,000 | $200,000 | $760,000 |
House price
| 61M XOF | 370M XOF | 520M XOF |
| $100,000 | $610,000 | $870,000 |
Villa price
| 73M XOF | 410M XOF | 610M XOF |
The average price of a studio apartment in Ouagadougou can range from 6.1M XOF to 18M XOF depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 7.3M XOF to 46M XOF. A villa can cost you 410M XOF on average with prices ranging from 73M XOF to 610M XOF.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Ouagadougou 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
| 33 | x92 monthly income | 210 |
Property prices in Ouagadougou can be x92 to x210 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x92 multiples of the average monthly salary in Ouagadougou.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Ouagadougou is around 31%. This means that people pay 31% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 20% 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.
| 560 XOF | 7,300 XOF | 73,000 XOF |
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 Ouagadougou
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Ouagadougou
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 1,100 XOF | 7,500 XOF | 50,000 XOF |
Internet and cable cost
| 1,700 XOF | 3,300 XOF | 4,500 XOF |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 1,300 XOF | 2,200 XOF | 6,700 XOF |
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 7,500 XOF. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 1,700 XOF to 4,500 XOF with 3,300 XOF being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 2,200 XOF but can range between 1,300 XOF and 6,700 XOF 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 Ouagadougou is around 7.7%. This means that people pay 7.7% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4.4% to 12% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Ouagadougou
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Ouagadougou
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 330 XOF | 670 XOF | 1,100 XOF |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Ouagadougou is approximatly 670 XOF with meal cost ranging from 330 XOF to 1,100 XOF. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 1,200 XOF | 1,800 XOF | 3,500 XOF |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 1,200 XOF and 3,500 XOF with 1,800 XOF being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Ouagadougou.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 2,300 XOF | 3,500 XOF | 14,000 XOF |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 2,300 XOF to 14,000 XOF with the average cost being 3,500 XOF for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Ouagadougou.
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 Ouagadougou is around 450 XOF. Price ranges between 280 XOF and 670 XOF 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 Ouagadougou is 270 XOF. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 330 XOF and the minimum being 220 XOF depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 220 XOF on average with 170 XOF and 330 XOF being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Ouagadougou is between 380 XOF and 700 XOF depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 490 XOF.
Pack of beef price
| 450 XOF | 670 XOF | 1,300 XOF |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 670 XOF. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Ouagadougou costs around 250 XOF on average with prices rangeing between 180 XOF and 350 XOF depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 67 XOF to 170 XOF. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 160 XOF 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 Ouagadougou is around 30%. This means that students spend 30% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 21% to 37% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 5,600 XOF to 250,000 XOF with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
