Skyline of Bubaque
Cost of Living: 62 20,000

Bubaque, Guinea-Bissau

Bubaque is a major city in Guinea-Bissau with a population of 20,000.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Bubaque is a city in Bolama with a population of 20,000. Bubaque is a major city in Guinea-Bissau with a population of 20,000. Housing is more affordable than 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. The population skews young, with a median age of 19.0.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 62

Below Average vs Guinea-Bissau Avg (100)

Housing Index 65

Affordable

Median Income CFA 480,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Bubaque vs Guinea-Bissau Average

Cost of Living
Bubaque: 62
Guinea-Bissau Avg: 100
Housing Index
Bubaque: 65
Guinea-Bissau Avg: 100

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: CFA 480,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 20,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 270/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 72°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: CFA12,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: CFA50000/mo

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Cost of Living

Bubaque's cost of living index is 62 (Guinea-Bissau average = 100).

CategoryBubaqueNational AverageDifference
Overall62100-38.0%
Housing65100-35.0%

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

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceCFA12,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)CFA50000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)CFA62,500/mo
Price per Sq FtCFA8,000

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 Bubaque:

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

Bubaque scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 62
Rent
— CFA50000
Sunny Days
— 270
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 5.0%
Climate
— 88°F / 72°F
Safety
— 5.0 homicides/100k
Population
— 20,000
Internet Speed
— 5 Mbps

Climate

Bubaque 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

Bubaque 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.

Demographics

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

Ethnicity

Balanta
24.0%
Fula
28.0%
Mandinka
14.0%
Other
34.0%

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
10.0%
Folk
40.0%
Muslim
45.0%
Other
5.0%

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: Instituto Nacional de Estatística (2009)

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 Bubaque, Guinea-Bissau?

The cost of living index in Bubaque is 62, which is Lower the Guinea-Bissau national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Bubaque is CFA12,000,000. The housing index is 65.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bubaque is approximately CFA50000/mo.

Does Bubaque, Bolama have income tax?

Bubaque is in Bolama, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Bubaque?

Bubaque enjoys approximately 270 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: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.