Burkina Faso🇧🇫
At a Glance
How Burkina Faso compares across key indices
Cost of Living
33 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
25/100
Healthcare
33/100
Quality of Life
54/200
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Burkina Faso
Cost of Living
33
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
25
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
33
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
35
100 = NYC dining
Safety & Crime
Higher RiskHow safe residents feel in Burkina Faso - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
25/100
Crime Index
80/100
Lower is better
Walking Safety
0 point drop from day to night
Cities in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso has 74 modeled cities; this view starts with 40 curated or popular options. Monthly costs for a single person range from $651 in Koupéla to $872 in Ouagadougou. Koudougou leads on safety, scoring 25/100. Ouagadougou ranks highest for quality of life at 61/200.
Koupéla
$651/mo
Koudougou
25/100
Ouagadougou
61/200
Ouagadougou
46/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ouagadougou | $872 | 19/100 | 61/200 | 46/100 | 95 |
| Bobo-Dioulasso | $751 | 23/100 | 61/200 | 38/100 | 95 |
| Koudougou | $692 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 32/100 | 95 |
| Saaba | $686 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 32/100 | 95 |
| Ouahigouya | $683 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 32/100 | 95 |
| Kaya | $683 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 32/100 | 95 |
| Banfora | $681 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 31/100 | 95 |
| Pouytenga | $674 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 31/100 | 95 |
| Houndé | $671 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 30/100 | 94 |
| Fada N'gourma | $664 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 30/100 | 94 |
| Nioko I | $661 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 30/100 | 93 |
| Dédougou | $660 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 93 |
| Tenkodogo | $659 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 93 |
| Djibo | $659 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 93 |
| Kongoussi | $654 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Léo | $653 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Koupéla | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Titao | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Saonré | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Dori | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Aribinda | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Gaoua | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Garango | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Gourcy | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Yako | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Zorgo | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Réo | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Orodara | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Ziniaré | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Niangoloko | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Nouna | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Bama | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Bittou | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Kombissiri | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Manga | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Pô | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Bourzanga | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Barogo | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Gao | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
| Tougan | $651 | 25/100 | 60/200 | 29/100 | 92 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for Burkina Faso
Recommended PartnerDon't skip health insurance
Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Environment
PollutedAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Burkina Faso
Pollution Index
100/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
58.5ug/m3
Unhealthy
Environmental Quality
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Burkina Faso, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Burkina Faso?
Burkina Faso has a cost of living index of 33 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $681 in Banfora and reach $872 in Ouagadougou.
What is the cheapest city in Burkina Faso for expats?
Banfora is the most affordable city in Burkina Faso in Freedom Abroad estimates, with estimated monthly costs of $681 for a single person including rent. Ouahigouya is the next most affordable at $683/mo.
Is Burkina Faso safe for expats?
Burkina Faso has a safety index of 25/100, making it worth researching carefully before committing for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Koudougou scores highest on safety at 25/100.
What is the best city in Burkina Faso for expats and digital nomads?
Ouagadougou ranks highest for quality of life in Burkina Faso, scoring 61/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $872/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Banfora offers the lowest monthly costs at $681/mo.
How good is healthcare in Burkina Faso?
Burkina Faso scores 33/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it limited in some areas by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
Is Burkina Faso cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Burkina Faso's cost of living is roughly 67% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 75% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
What is the air quality and pollution like in Burkina Faso?
Burkina Faso has a pollution index of 100/100 (lower = cleaner). Pollution can be a concern in urban areas. Research specific cities before committing, as rural and coastal areas typically fare better.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for Burkina Faso
Plan Your Move
Where Can I Move?
Check whether this country fits your passport, budget, work setup, safety floor, and priorities.
Build My Escape Plan
Turn this country into a practical move plan with visa, insurance, housing, banking, and scouting-trip next steps.
Compare Countries
Side-by-side breakdown of cost of living, safety, healthcare, and more.
Cost of Living
Model monthly costs with Freedom Abroad estimates before you narrow the shortlist.
Recommended PartnerDon't skip health insurance
Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Set Up International Banking
Get a multi-currency account before you leave. Essential for managing money abroad.
Get Connected
eSIM, VPN, and reliable internet - sorted before you land.
Book Your First Accommodation
Secure at least your first week. Having a home base makes everything else easier.
Find Flights
Find the cheapest flights with flexible date search. Set alerts for price drops on your route.
Follow Burkina Faso
Get new Burkina Faso articles by email
Future guides and articles for Burkina Faso will land in your inbox.
Cost of living, safety, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates modeled from open public sources. Data sources
Freedom Abroad helps you figure out the part nobody talks about: how to actually build a life in another country. Films, tools, and data. No fluff.
Learn about our mission