Skyline of Ouagadougou
Cost of Living: 100 2,500,000

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Ouagadougou is a major city in Burkina Faso with a population of 2,500,000.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs Burkina Faso Avg (100)

Housing Index 110

Above Average

Median Income CFA 1,800,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Ouagadougou vs Burkina Faso Average

Cost of Living
Ouagadougou: 100
Burkina Faso Avg: 100
Housing Index
Ouagadougou: 110
Burkina Faso Avg: 100

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: CFA 1,800,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 2,500,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 280/year
  • Summer High: 95°F
  • Winter Low: 62°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7a

Housing

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

Cost of Living

Ouagadougou's cost of living index is 100 (Burkina Faso average = 100).

CategoryOuagadougouNational 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 Ouagadougou:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityCFA10000
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)CFA53Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterCFA5000Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)CFA10000Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesCFA25053Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

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

Remote Work Score

Ouagadougou scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
CFA200000
Sunny Days
280
Tax
None
Unemployment
5.0%
Climate
95°F / 62°F
Safety
1.3 homicides/100k
Population
2,500,000
Internet Speed
10 Mbps

Climate

Ouagadougou has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January82°F62°F2.5"
April80°F77°F2.8"
July95°F70°F1.5"
October75°F80°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7a

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Ouagadougou 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.

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

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 Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso?

The cost of living index in Ouagadougou is 100, which is Lower the Burkina Faso national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Ouagadougou 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 Ouagadougou is approximately CFA200000/mo.

Does Ouagadougou, Centre have income tax?

Ouagadougou is in Centre, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Ouagadougou?

Ouagadougou enjoys approximately 280 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 95°F, while winter lows can drop to around 62°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.