CostLens
HomeBurkina Faso › Ouagadougou

Cost of Living in Ouagadougou

Ouagadougou, Centre, Burkina Faso · Population 3,063,271 · National capital

▲ +24% vs Burkina Faso average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)CFA246,934 ($408)
Couple, monthlyCFA439,774 ($727)
Family of four, monthlyCFA570,194 ($942)

Estimated Prices in Ouagadougou

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantCFA2,595 ($4.29)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-rangeCFA10,382 ($17.16)per meal
CappuccinoCFA779 ($1.29)each
Monthly groceries (single person)CFA58,830 ($97.24)per month
Monthly public transport passCFA9,517 ($15.73)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartmentCFA25,089 ($41.47)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)CFA7,267 ($12.01)per month
Fitness club membershipCFA7,267 ($12.01)per month
Cinema ticketCFA1,903 ($3.15)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centreCFA106,237 ($176)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centreCFA73,904 ($122)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centreCFA221,712 ($366)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Ouagadougou is CFA157,300 ($260) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of CFA246,934 ($408) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly CFA321,014 ($531) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (CFA73,904 ($122)) represents about 30% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Ouagadougou

Ouagadougou vs Bobo-DioulassoOuagadougou vs KoudougouOuagadougou vs OuahigouyaOuagadougou vs KayaOuagadougou vs BanforaOuagadougou vs Pouytenga

Nearby Cities

Tanghin-Dassouri

23 km away · Centre

Ziniaré

34 km away · Plateau-Central

Saponé

36 km away · Centre-Sud

Kombissiri

40 km away · Centre-Sud

Kokologo

44 km away · Centre-Ouest

Boussé

52 km away · Plateau-Central

Kindi

54 km away

Nassoulou

64 km away · Centre-Ouest

Other Major Cities in Burkina Faso

Bobo-Dioulasso

Hauts-Bassins · pop. 903,887

CFA198,349 ($328) / mo

Koudougou

Centre-Ouest · pop. 160,207

CFA186,340 ($308) / mo

Ouahigouya

Nord · pop. 124,580

CFA186,340 ($308) / mo

Kaya

Centre-Nord · pop. 122,949

CFA186,340 ($308) / mo

Banfora

Cascades · pop. 117,200

CFA186,340 ($308) / mo

Pouytenga

Centre-Est · pop. 99,950

CFA186,340 ($308) / mo

Houndé

Hauts-Bassins · pop. 87,154

CFA186,340 ($308) / mo

Fada Ngourma

Est · pop. 73,200

CFA186,340 ($308) / mo

Living in Ouagadougou

Ouagadougou is the capital and one of the key cities in Burkina Faso. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is CFA246,934 ($408), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around CFA73,904 ($122) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to CFA570,194 ($942) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately CFA439,774 ($727) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Ouagadougou is CFA157,300 ($260). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least CFA321,014 ($531) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ouagadougou expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated CFA246,934 ($408) per month in Ouagadougou including rent outside the city centre. That is 24% more than the national average for Burkina Faso.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Ouagadougou?
A net salary of around CFA321,014 ($531) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Ouagadougou with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Ouagadougou is CFA157,300 ($260).
How much is rent in Ouagadougou?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated CFA106,237 ($176) per month in the city centre and CFA73,904 ($122) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about CFA221,712 ($366).
Is Ouagadougou cheaper than Burkina Faso on average?
No — Ouagadougou is estimated to be about 24% more expensive than the Burkina Faso average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Ouagadougou?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at CFA58,830 ($97) in Ouagadougou. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about CFA2,595 ($4) and a cappuccino runs around CFA779 ($1).
How do transport costs in Ouagadougou compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Ouagadougou is estimated at CFA9,517 ($16). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Ouagadougou are estimates based on Burkina Faso national averages adjusted for city size (population 3,063,271) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.