The cost of living in the Republic of the Congo is considered moderate when compared to other countries. While some goods and services, particularly in urban areas like Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, can be expensive due to imports, overall expenses for locals can be managed with careful budgeting.

Congo features a tropical climate with high temperatures and significant rainfall throughout the year. The south of the country has two dry seasons, from June to August and December to February, while the north experiences one long wet season. Humidity is generally high, and the equatorial region can be particularly hot and wet.

The educational system in Congo is structured to provide basic, secondary, and higher education. Education is compulsory until the age of 16, which covers the basic education cycle. The system is divided into three stages: primary education (enseignement primaire), which lasts for six years and serves children from age 6 to 12; secondary education (enseignement secondaire), which is divided into two cycles, the first lasting four years and the second two years; and higher education (enseignement supérieur) for those who qualify. Primary education culminates in the Certificate of Primary Studies, while secondary education ends with the State Diploma, which is necessary for access to university. The academic year typically runs from September to June. The quality of education varies significantly, with urban areas generally providing better facilities and learning conditions compared to rural areas. French is the language of instruction, and the curriculum includes subjects such as mathematics, science, social studies, and languages. The government has been working on educational reforms to improve the quality and accessibility of education, but challenges remain, including inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages, and affordability issues for families. Parents moving to Congo should be aware that while public education is free, additional costs for uniforms, books, and other supplies can be a burden. International schools are available, mainly in larger cities, offering curricula that may be more familiar to expatriate families, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) or the British or American educational systems.

The healthcare system in Congo is a mix of public and private facilities, with the public sector providing the majority of services. The quality of healthcare varies significantly, with urban areas having better facilities than rural ones. Public healthcare is often underfunded and understaffed, leading to challenges in accessing care and shortages of essential medicines. Private healthcare is available and generally offers higher quality services, but at a cost that is unaffordable for many Congolese. Expats and digital nomads typically rely on private healthcare and are advised to have comprehensive health insurance. Access to public healthcare for foreigners can be complicated and is not commonly sought after due to the quality and availability issues.