You’ll find living in Equatorial Guinea is moderately affordable by global standards, averaging about $1,193 monthly while median take‑home pay is roughly $808. Rent for a one‑bed city apartment runs near $472, utilities about $202, and internet around $17.80. Eating out and transport are cheaper than in the U.S., with meals averaging $8.90 and local fares $1.34. Housing can dominate your budget, and more detailed breakdowns and comparisons follow if you want specifics.

Overview of Living Costs and Key Economic Indicators

Although prices vary by city and lifestyle, you’ll find Equatorial Guinea’s overall cost of living is about $1,193—1.04 times the global average—placing it 63rd out of 197 countries.

Although costs vary, Equatorial Guinea’s cost of living averages $1,193 — about 1.04 times the global mean.

You’ll use the Cost of Living Index to compare expenses: the nation sits slightly above the world mean, but local patterns matter. Average monthly take-home pay is roughly $808, so you’ll notice a gap between earnings and typical expenditure benchmarks.

Living in Equatorial contexts, transportation is significantly cheaper—local tickets run about $1.34, some 37.5% below broader averages—reducing daily mobility costs. Dining out is economical: expect average meals near $8.90 versus $19.45 in the United States, which lowers discretionary spending.

Housing costs are relatively modest by comparison, with one-bedroom city-center rents around $472, shifting where you’d allocate budget. Overall, the indicators show a moderately higher than average Cost of Living Index, tempered by lower transport and food costs that influence your real purchasing power.

Housing, Utilities, and Monthly Budgets

Because housing takes a big slice of monthly spending, you should weigh rents against income: a one‑bedroom city‑center apartment averages $472 (cheaper options near $255), while a three‑bedroom runs about $889, and typical utilities add roughly $202/month for a single person.

You’ll compare those figures to the average monthly salary after tax of $808: rent plus utilities for a one‑bedroom can consume most of your pay, leaving little for other necessities. For families, a three‑bedroom at $889 exceeds the average net salary, so dual incomes or savings become necessary.

Internet is relatively inexpensive — about $17.8/month for 50 Mbps+ — which helps remote work or study budgets.

To plan, total your likely housing and utilities, then express that as a percentage of expected income; if it exceeds 50–60%, you’ll need cheaper housing, supplemental income, or tighter budget lines.

Make decisions based on these comparative ratios, not averages alone.

Food, Restaurants, and Grocery Prices

Meals and groceries in Equatorial Guinea tend to be cheaper than in the U.S., so you can expect a basic lunch to run about $13.30 and a fast‑food combo—roughly McDonald’s—to cost $8.90.

Dinner for two averages $55.40; pub beer is ~$3.11 and a cappuccino ~$4.75. You’ll find dining out is roughly 46.9% cheaper than in the United States, so eating out can be an economical option.

Grocery prices mix lower-cost staples with imported items that push prices up: milk (1L) $2.65, bread (0.5kg) $2.89, rice (1kg) $2.37.

When planning monthly budgets, include a blend of markets and supermarkets to control spend.

• Open-air market stalls with local produce and fish
• Small neighborhood cafés serving coffees and light lunches
• Supermarkets stocking imported goods at higher prices
• Street vendors selling rice-based dishes and snacks

These food price signals help you estimate realistic prices for Equatorial living without surprise costs.

Transportation, Healthcare, and Daily Services

When you compare everyday costs, getting around in Equatorial Guinea is reasonably affordable—local fares run about $1.34 per trip or $40.50 for a monthly pass, while an 8 km taxi ride averages $8.02.

You’ll find transportation options that balance cost and convenience: public transport keeps daily commuting cheap, while taxis offer faster, door-to-door travel at modest rates relative to many urban markets.

Daily services further shape your budget. Utilities for a single person average roughly $202 monthly, covering electricity and water; internet at 50 Mbps or higher is about $17.80, supporting remote work and streaming.

Healthcare costs vary, but given generally lower living expenses, you can expect many services to be more accessible price-wise than in higher-cost countries—though quality and availability differ by location.

When planning, factor transportation, healthcare, utilities, and internet together to assess realistic monthly outlays and choose the mix of services that fits your needs.

Cost Comparisons: Equatorial Guinea vs. United States

Having looked at daily services and transport, it helps to compare how those costs stack up against the United States. You’ll find Living in Equatorial Guinea is substantially cheaper overall—about 33.0% lower than U.S. levels—so your purchasing power often stretches further.

Housing is the biggest gap: a downtown 1‑bedroom averages $267.09 versus roughly $1,664.59 in the U.S. Dining out and transport also favor Equatorial: a basic meal runs $8.90 compared to $19.45, and a monthly transit pass is $26.33 versus $65.85.

Childcare shows a notable difference too, with private preschool at $356.12 versus $1,387.27.

• Imagine renting a city 1‑bedroom for a fraction of U.S. rent.
• Picture weekly meals that cost less than half of U.S. prices.
• Visualize commuting with a cheap monthly pass.
• Consider childcare costs that free up your budget.

These comparisons help you evaluate budget choices when weighing Equatorial Guinea against U.S. expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Is Rent in Equatorial Guinea?

You’ll pay about $472 for a 1-bedroom city-center flat, $255 outside, and $889 for a 3-bedroom city unit; this cost comparison shows housing options are data-driven and much cheaper than in the United States.

What Is the Average Salary in Equatorial Guinea?

You earn about $808 monthly on average in Equatorial Guinea, and coincidentally that ties into salary comparison and cost analysis: you’ll see it buys roughly 0.7 months’ expenses, so you’ll need supplementary income or savings.

Is Equatorial Guinea a Good Place to Live?

You might find Equatorial Guinea challenging: expat experiences vary, cultural differences are striking, and data show higher living costs versus salaries and limited services; comparatively, it suits some adventurous foreigners but not those seeking stability.

Can Americans Go to Equatorial Guinea?

Yes — you can go; Americans must obtain a visa prior to arrival. With living costs about 33% cheaper than the U.S., compare visa requirements and travel safety via STEP and health precautions for malaria prevention.

Conclusion

You’ll find Equatorial Guinea expensive in some ways and cheaper in others: rent can take 40–60% of your monthly budget, while groceries may cost about 30% less than in the U.S. If you’re balancing priorities, note this striking stat — fuel is roughly 20% cheaper than U.S. prices, but private healthcare can run 2–3 times more. Use that contrast to plan: cut transport costs, budget heavily for housing and medical care.