MigrantoCost of living in Burundi
Average monthly spending, by standard of living and against other countries
Monthly cost
BIF 47,800
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
BIF 20,900richest 20%
BIF 141,000
Burundi is small, crowded, and landlocked, and most of life here turns on coffee, tea, and small farms. That makes the everyday — food, a roof, local help — genuinely cheap. But it's a long way from any port, so imported goods are both scarce and pricey, and the distance between an easy life and a getting-by one is wide.
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What it costs to live in Burundi
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Cost of living in Burundi
BIF 20,900/mo
vs BIF 2,390,000 in your country
Take-home
BIF 381,000
vs BIF 3,590,000 in your country
Potential savings
BIF 361,000
more than in your country
Standard of living
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How living costs in Burundi compare
Burundi is among the world's cheapest countries to live in, and it sits near the bottom of Africa too. The low cost reflects an economy where cash is tight and most things are grown or made locally. The cheapness is genuine, but so is the thin choice of what you can actually buy once you want more than the basics.
Data source: household consumption 2023 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Burundi?
A typical person in Burundi spends about BIF 47,800 a month — around BIF 574,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the cost of living in Burundi in US dollars?
The cost of living in Burundi is about $16 a month, or roughly $192 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Burundi?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about BIF 20,900 a month per person, a typical one around BIF 47,800, and a comfortable life around BIF 68,800. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
Is the average salary in Burundi enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about BIF 47,800 a month, while the average take-home pay in Burundi is about BIF 299,000. For more on incomes, see salaries in Burundi.
Is Burundi an expensive country to live in?
No. Burundi is more expensive than 1% of countries worldwide and ranks 52nd of 53 in Africa by cost of living.
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Living in Burundi
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