Skyline of Bobo-Dioulasso
Cost of Living: 82 900,000

Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Bobo-Dioulasso is a major city in Burkina Faso with a population of 900,000.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Bobo-Dioulasso is a city in Hauts-Bassins with a population of 900,000. Bobo-Dioulasso is a major city in Burkina Faso with a population of 900,000. Housing costs are close to the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 7b growing zone supports Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees. A relatively small share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, with about 270 sunny days a year. Reported crime rates are relatively low. The population skews young, with a median age of 17.0.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 82

Below Average vs Burkina Faso Avg (100)

Housing Index 88

Affordable

Median Income CFA 1,200,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Bobo-Dioulasso vs Burkina Faso Average

Cost of Living
Bobo-Dioulasso: 82
Burkina Faso Avg: 100
Housing Index
Bobo-Dioulasso: 88
Burkina Faso Avg: 100

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: CFA 1,200,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 900,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 270/year
  • Summer High: 92°F
  • Winter Low: 65°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: CFA30,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: CFA120000/mo

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Cost of Living

Bobo-Dioulasso's cost of living index is 82 (Burkina Faso average = 100).

CategoryBobo-DioulassoNational AverageDifference
Overall82100-18.0%
Housing88100-12.0%

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

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceCFA30,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)CFA120000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)CFA150,000/mo
Price per Sq FtCFA20,000

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 Bobo-Dioulasso:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityCFA10000
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)CFA45Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterCFA5000Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)CFA10000Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesCFA25045Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

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

Remote Work Score

Bobo-Dioulasso scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 82
Rent
— CFA120000
Sunny Days
— 270
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 5.0%
Climate
— 92°F / 65°F
Safety
— 1.3 homicides/100k
Population
— 900,000
Internet Speed
— 10 Mbps

Climate

Bobo-Dioulasso has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January85°F65°F2.5"
April77°F80°F2.8"
July92°F67°F1.5"
October72°F83°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7b

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Bobo-Dioulasso faces the following natural hazards:

Drought High Risk

Sahel region with frequent droughts.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat in the Sahel.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods.

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 October to July
Term System Trimester — 1st (Oct-Dec), 2nd (Jan-Apr), 3rd (May-Jul)
Summer Break July to October (12 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Eid al-Fitr break (1-2 weeks)

French-influenced education system.

Demographics

The population of Bobo-Dioulasso is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Fulani
8.0%
Gurma
7.0%
Mossi
52.0%
Other
33.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.0%
High school graduate
20.0%
Less than high school
60.0%
Some college
10.0%

Religion

Christian
30.0%
Folk
9.0%
Muslim
61.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Institut National de la Statistique (2019)

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 Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso?

The cost of living index in Bobo-Dioulasso is 82, which is Lower the Burkina Faso national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Bobo-Dioulasso?

The median home price in Bobo-Dioulasso is CFA30,000,000. The housing index is 88.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bobo-Dioulasso is approximately CFA120000/mo.

Does Bobo-Dioulasso, Hauts-Bassins have income tax?

Bobo-Dioulasso is in Hauts-Bassins, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Bobo-Dioulasso?

Bobo-Dioulasso enjoys approximately 270 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 92°F, while winter lows can drop to around 65°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: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.