😐A single person spends $472 per month in Nyamata vs $414 in Gisenyi, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $778 per month in Nyamata vs $661 in Gisenyi, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,085 per month in Nyamata vs $908 in Gisenyi, rent included.
😐Nyamata costs about 14% more than Gisenyi, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both Nyamata and Gisenyi are more affordable than the global median – Nyamata65% lower, Gisenyi69% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nyamata
Gisenyi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.45RWF 5,051
$4.07RWF 5,949
-15.23%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.31RWF 15.1K
$15.01RWF 21.9K
-31.31%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.66RWF 9,737
$6.01RWF 8,790
10.82%
Cappuccino
$1.69RWF 2,474
$2.17RWF 3,167
-22.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70RWF 1,024
$0.82RWF 1,201
-14.63%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43RWF 630
$0.52RWF 765
-17.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.02RWF 1,496
$1.01RWF 1,476
0.99%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.37RWF 2,005
$2.05RWF 2,992
-33.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nyamata
Gisenyi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.71RWF 1,033
$0.66RWF 960
7.58%
White Bread(500g)
$0.87RWF 1,270
$1.04RWF 1,515
-16.35%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.23RWF 1,798
$1.25RWF 1,827
-1.60%
Eggs
$1.65RWF 2,413
$1.63RWF 2,382
1.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.69RWF 5,390
$4.00RWF 5,855
-7.75%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.85RWF 4,173
$4.48RWF 6,550
-36.38%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.75RWF 5,481
$3.63RWF 5,306
3.31%
Apples(1kg)
$2.42RWF 3,537
$2.45RWF 3,584
-1.22%
Banana(1kg)
$0.41RWF 596
$1.00RWF 1,456
-59.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.66RWF 964
$1.44RWF 2,102
-54.17%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.58RWF 845
$1.14RWF 1,671
-49.12%
Potato(1kg)
$0.51RWF 745
$0.48RWF 703
6.25%
Onion(1kg)
$0.77RWF 1,126
$0.81RWF 1,181
-4.94%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.34RWF 494
$0.29RWF 420
17.24%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68RWF 993
$0.81RWF 1,187
-16.05%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.35RWF 1,972
$1.77RWF 2,588
-23.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.10RWF 14.8K
$10.20RWF 14.9K
-0.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.90RWF 1,318
$0.89RWF 1,303
1.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81RWF 2,648
$1.72RWF 2,521
5.23%
🚌 Getting Around
Nyamata
Gisenyi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.11RWF 162
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.74RWF 45.0K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.56RWF 3,750
$3.14RWF 4,586
-18.47%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.43RWF 2,091
$1.40RWF 2,044
2.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.18RWF 4,646
$3.79RWF 5,537
-16.09%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.13RWF 1,652
$1.19RWF 1,735
-5.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.7KRWF 39.0M
$26.4KRWF 38.5M
1.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.9KRWF 34.9M
$30.4KRWF 44.4M
-21.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nyamata
Gisenyi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$46.50RWF 68.0K
$46.74RWF 68.3K
-0.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.76RWF 12.8K
$3.06RWF 4,476
186.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.50RWF 25.6K
$18.22RWF 26.6K
-3.95%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nyamata
Gisenyi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.80RWF 68.4K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$2.04RWF 2,990
$3.50RWF 5,111
-41.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nyamata
Gisenyi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$151RWF 220.5K
$154RWF 224.7K
-1.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,047RWF 7.4M
$5,088RWF 7.4M
-0.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nyamata
Gisenyi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$16.85RWF 24.6K
$17.17RWF 25.1K
-1.86%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.81RWF 29.0K
$19.25RWF 28.1K
2.91%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$23.90RWF 34.9K
$23.96RWF 35.0K
-0.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$31.08RWF 45.4K
$31.54RWF 46.1K
-1.46%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nyamata
Gisenyi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$105RWF 153.0K
$98.3RWF 143.7K
6.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$68.3RWF 99.9K
$50.6RWF 74.0K
34.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$340RWF 497.8K
$302RWF 440.9K
12.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$241RWF 351.8K
$121RWF 177.1K
98.60%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nyamata
Gisenyi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$184RWF 269.0K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
16.2
16.2
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Nyamata: July 11, 2026
Last update for Gisenyi: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $105 in Nyamata versus $98.3 in Gisenyi. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $10.00 in Nyamata versus $15.00 in Gisenyi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $125 vs $146 – making Nyamata the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Nyamata vs Gisenyi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Nyamata or Gisenyi?
Nyamata costs about 14% more than Gisenyi, with the gap driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Nyamata and in Gisenyi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $708 per month in Nyamata and $621 in Gisenyi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Nyamata or Gisenyi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Gisenyi, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Nyamata and in Gisenyi?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $10.00 in Nyamata and $15.00 in Gisenyi. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Nyamata or in Gisenyi?
Interestingly, groceries are about 17% cheaper in Nyamata – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $800/month in Nyamata or in Gisenyi?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $472 in Nyamata and $414 in Gisenyi, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Gisenyi – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Nyamata compared to Gisenyi?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Nyamata or to Gisenyi?
If budget matters most, go with Gisenyi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Nyamata makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.