Skyline of Bissau
Cost of Living: 100 500,000

Bissau, Guinea-Bissau

Bissau is a major city in Guinea-Bissau with a population of 500,000.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs Guinea-Bissau Avg (100)

Housing Index 110

Above Average

Median Income CFA 1,200,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Bissau vs Guinea-Bissau Average

Cost of Living
Bissau: 100
Guinea-Bissau Avg: 100
Housing Index
Bissau: 110
Guinea-Bissau Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 18.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: CFA 1,200,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 500,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 260/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 72°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: CFA50,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: CFA200000/mo

Cost of Living

Bissau's cost of living index is 100 (Guinea-Bissau average = 100).

CategoryBissauNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing110100+10.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceCFA50,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)CFA200000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)CFA250,000/mo
Price per Sq FtCFA33,333

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

CFA
%
$90,000 down
%
%
CFA

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Bissau:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityCFA10000
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)CFA64Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterCFA3000Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)CFA10000Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesCFA23064Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Bissau scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
CFA200000
Sunny Days
260
Tax
None
Unemployment
5.0%
Climate
88°F / 72°F
Safety
5.0 homicides/100k
Population
500,000
Internet Speed
5 Mbps

Climate

Bissau has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January92°F72°F2.5"
April73°F87°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F90°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7b

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Bissau faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

Coastal and river flooding.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Savanna wildfires.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Hilly terrain with landslides.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 18%
  • Property Tax: ~0.1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Trimester — 1st (Sep-Dec), 2nd (Jan-Mar), 3rd (Apr-Jun)
Summer Break June to September (13 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Eid al-Fitr break (1-2 weeks)

Portuguese-influenced education system.

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau?

The cost of living index in Bissau is 100, which is Lower the Guinea-Bissau national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Bissau?

The median home price in Bissau is CFA50,000,000. The housing index is 110.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bissau is approximately CFA200000/mo.

Does Bissau, Bissau have income tax?

Bissau is in Bissau, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Bissau?

Bissau enjoys approximately 260 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 72°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.