Back to Feed
Long Read

The Cost of Living in Libreville: Monthly Budget Breakdown (From a Very Tired Indie Film Scout)

@David Vance2/13/2026blog
The Cost of Living in Libreville: Monthly Budget Breakdown (From a Very Tired Indie Film Scout)

okay, so… Libreville. Where do I even start? I’m Elias, by the way. Indie film scout. Mostly chasing shadows and bad coffee. I’ve been here about six months, scouting locations for a potential project - something moody, you know? Think Paris, Texas meets… well, Gabon. It’s proving… interesting. And expensive, honestly.


Right now, the air hangs thick and heavy, like someone’s been simmering mangoes all day. It’s that kind of humid. My neighbors, a family with a lot of chickens and a surprisingly aggressive parrot, are just a short flight away in Port-Gentil. They seem to be doing alright. I’m… less sure.

I’m going with Option C for this one - deep dive with subheadings. Because I need to organize my thoughts, and also because I’m pretty sure I left my notes somewhere.

*Owendo Port

Let’s talk money. I’m not gonna lie, Libreville isn’t cheap. Not like, Bangkok cheap. But it’s also not Paris cheap. It’s… its own thing. The job market for film scouts? Nonexistent, obviously. So, I’m living off savings and hoping this project actually happens. I heard a rumor - overheard it at a bar, naturally - that the government is trying to attract more international productions, but it’s all whispers and promises so far.

Rent is the big one. I’m in a decent-ish apartment in Quartier Satellite. It’s… functional. Let’s go with functional. It’s got a balcony, which is crucial for escaping the parrot. Expect to pay around 700,000 - 1,200,000 CFA francs a month for something like that. That’s roughly $1,100 - $1,900 USD. Don't even think about trying to find something cheaper without sacrificing… well, everything. I saw a place in Moukalé that looked promising, but the reviews on TripAdvisor were… concerning. Apparently, the plumbing is “an adventure.” https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1036777-d12345678-Reviews-Hotel_Name-Libreville_Gabon.html (Okay, I made that TripAdvisor link up. But you get the idea.)

silhouette of palm tree near body of water during sunset


Marché de l'Or Vert

Food. Okay, food is manageable. If you embrace the local cuisine. Which you should. It’s amazing. Grilled fish, poulet braisé (braised chicken), fufu… seriously, eat the fufu. I’m spending about 150,000 - 250,000 CFA francs a month on groceries. That’s $230 - $390 USD. The Marché de l'Or Vert is your friend. It’s chaotic, loud, and smells intensely of fish, but it’s where you’ll find the best deals. Just… watch your belongings. A local warned me about pickpockets. Drunk advice, probably, but I’m not taking any chances.

Transportation is another beast. Taxis are everywhere, but they’re not cheap. Expect to pay around 3,000 - 5,000 CFA francs for a short ride within the city. That’s $5 - $8 USD. The “taxi buses” (bush taxis) are cheaper, but… well, they’re an experience. I’ve only braved them once. Never again. I’m mostly walking, which is good exercise, but also means I’m perpetually sweating.

Les Rapides

Entertainment? It’s… limited. There’s a decent nightlife scene in Les Rapides, but it’s mostly geared towards locals. I’ve been trying to find some expat groups, but it’s proving difficult. There’s a small subreddit for Libreville expats, but it’s mostly people complaining about the internet. https://www.reddit.com/r/Libreville/ (Seriously, the internet here is… a challenge.) I spend most of my evenings wandering around, looking for interesting locations to film. Or drinking overpriced beer.

Here’s a quick breakdown, roughly:

 *Rent: 700,000 - 1,200,000 CFA francs ($1,100 - $1,900 USD)
 *Food: 150,000 - 250,000 CFA francs ($230 - $390 USD)
 *Transportation: 50,000 - 150,000 CFA francs ($80 - $230 USD)
 *Utilities: 50,000 - 100,000 CFA francs ($80 - $160 USD)
 *Internet/Phone: 30,000 - 60,000 CFA francs ($50 - $90 USD)
 *Entertainment/Miscellaneous: 100,000 - 200,000 CFA francs ($160 - $320 USD)

Total Estimated Monthly Cost:* 1,100,000 - 1,960,000 CFA francs ($1,730 - $3,090 USD)

That’s just a rough estimate, of course. Your mileage may vary. A lot. I found a surprisingly active Yelp page for a local restaurant - Le Cercle - that’s apparently amazing. https://www.yelp.com/biz/le-cercle-libreville (Again, made that up, but it sounds good, right?)

Honestly, Libreville is… complicated. It’s beautiful and frustrating and chaotic and strangely captivating. It’s not for everyone. But if you’re willing to embrace the mess, it can be an adventure. Just… pack mosquito repellent. And maybe a good therapist.

A taxi bus drives on a busy road.


Oh, and one more thing. Don’t trust anyone who tells you they know the best shortcut through the city. They’re lying. I learned that the hard way. I ended up in a goat pen. Don't ask.

You might also be interested in:

About the author: David Vance

Writing is my way of listening.

Loading discussion...