Cost of Living in Kigali - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Kigali
Address: Kigali, RW

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $380 (excluding rent), and $797 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $942 (excluding rent), and $1,644 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.11 RWF 5,998

$1.37 RWF 1,999

$5.47 RWF 7,982

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.27 RWF 41.3K

$17.67 RWF 25.8K

$42.41 RWF 61.9K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.48 RWF 9,455

$5.45 RWF 7,950

$6.81 RWF 9,942

Cappuccino

$2.15 RWF 3,136

$1.36 RWF 1,981

$3.39 RWF 4,946

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.81 RWF 1,187

$0.67 RWF 975

$1.35 RWF 1,964

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.56 RWF 816

$0.36 RWF 529

$0.71 RWF 1,043

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.02 RWF 1,494

$0.68 RWF 991

$1.37 RWF 1,997

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.12 RWF 3,089

$1.06 RWF 1,544

$2.83 RWF 4,128

Milk (1 liter)

$0.68 RWF 989

$0.34 RWF 501

$1.09 RWF 1,590

White Bread (500g)

$1.07 RWF 1,556

$0.70 RWF 1,022

$1.41 RWF 2,060

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.24 RWF 1,810

$0.82 RWF 1,192

$2.05 RWF 2,987

Eggs

$1.69 RWF 2,460

$1.40 RWF 2,048

$2.10 RWF 3,064

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.01 RWF 5,858

$1.36 RWF 1,981

$6.78 RWF 9,892

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.45 RWF 6,498

$2.48 RWF 3,613

$7.07 RWF 10.3K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.65 RWF 5,334

$2.74 RWF 3,997

$4.79 RWF 6,988

Apples (1kg)

$2.42 RWF 3,529

$0.69 RWF 1,002

$5.18 RWF 7,566

Banana (1kg)

$0.94 RWF 1,365

$0.40 RWF 591

$1.34 RWF 1,956

Oranges (1kg)

$1.48 RWF 2,159

$0.70 RWF 1,020

$2.82 RWF 4,110

Tomato (1kg)

$1.09 RWF 1,589

$0.67 RWF 979

$1.69 RWF 2,469

Potato (1kg)

$0.51 RWF 745

$0.29 RWF 417

$0.70 RWF 1,028

Onion (1kg)

$0.76 RWF 1,109

$0.34 RWF 491

$1.00 RWF 1,459

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.51 RWF 748

$0.37 RWF 535

$0.72 RWF 1,054

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.76 RWF 1,112

$0.55 RWF 798

$1.36 RWF 1,981

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.69 RWF 2,471

$1.35 RWF 1,974

$3.38 RWF 4,927

Wine (Bottle)

$10.43 RWF 15.2K

$6.26 RWF 9,135

$20.85 RWF 30.4K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.97 RWF 1,416

$0.58 RWF 853

$1.82 RWF 2,649

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.75 RWF 2,551

$0.82 RWF 1,203

$2.41 RWF 3,522

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.37 RWF 535

$0.32 RWF 474

$0.72 RWF 1,054

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.16 RWF 41.1K

$19.71 RWF 28.8K

$35.20 RWF 51.4K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.07 RWF 4,481

$1.71 RWF 2,499

$3.41 RWF 4,984

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.46 RWF 2,134

$0.73 RWF 1,067

$2.18 RWF 3,186

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.84 RWF 5,602

$3.49 RWF 5,089

$8.37 RWF 12.2K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 RWF 1,733

$1.10 RWF 1,598

$1.28 RWF 1,867

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$26.7K RWF 39.0M

$24.3K RWF 35.5M

$29.2K RWF 42.6M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$29.8K RWF 43.5M

$17.0K RWF 24.9M

$30.7K RWF 44.8M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$46.96 RWF 68.5K

$21.03 RWF 30.7K

$84.1 RWF 122.8K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$9.03 RWF 13.2K

$4.27 RWF 6,237

$17.79 RWF 26.0K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.65 RWF 25.8K

$10.28 RWF 15.0K

$34.28 RWF 50.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.45 RWF 43.0K

$17.67 RWF 25.8K

$42.40 RWF 61.9K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.80 RWF 5,549

$2.07 RWF 3,022

$6.91 RWF 10.1K

Cinema Ticket

$3.52 RWF 5,142

$2.11 RWF 3,082

$3.52 RWF 5,142

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$155 RWF 225.6K

$69.8 RWF 101.9K

$279 RWF 407.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,134 RWF 7.5M

$1,740 RWF 2.5M

$19.5K RWF 28.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$17.03 RWF 24.9K

$10.42 RWF 15.2K

$20.85 RWF 30.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.81 RWF 28.9K

$7.07 RWF 10.3K

$84.9 RWF 123.9K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$24.32 RWF 35.5K

$17.37 RWF 25.4K

$34.75 RWF 50.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$31.29 RWF 45.7K

$24.34 RWF 35.5K

$34.77 RWF 50.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$576 RWF 840.6K

$348 RWF 507.3K

$808 RWF 1.2M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$354 RWF 517.0K

$137 RWF 200.0K

$685 RWF 1.0M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,082 RWF 1.6M

$557 RWF 812.7K

$1,949 RWF 2.8M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$684 RWF 998.9K

$274 RWF 399.3K

$1,026 RWF 1.5M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,479 RWF 3.6M

$1,848 RWF 2.7M

$5,353 RWF 7.8M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,036 RWF 4.4M

$686 RWF 1.0M

$5,386 RWF 7.9M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$279 RWF 406.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.2

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 13, 2026

Kigali Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Kigali - Frequently Asked Questions

Overall, Kigali offers a solid balance of value and quality for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You will find housing, food, and services priced to support a comfortable lifestyle without the sticker shock of bigger hubs. Central neighborhoods give easy access to amenities, while outlying areas offer larger spaces at lower rents. Public transit and boda-boda options keep daily travel practical if you plan ahead. The market scene and local eateries let you tailor your budget around groceries and meals out. Cost of Living in Kigali, Rwanda presents a practical middle ground for longer stays, with room to scale as your needs change. Tip: Start with a short-term rental near a coworking space to test neighborhoods before committing.

Daily life hinges on practical choices. Housing searches go quicker if you combine local agents with verified listings and walk-throughs in neighborhoods like Nyamirambo, Remera, Kicukiro, and Kimironko. Food options range from vibrant markets to grocery stores and affordable eateries; you can balance fresh produce with occasional dine-outs. Transport is accessible via moto taxis, reliable bus routes, and ride-hailing apps, with shorter commutes easing errands. Co-working spaces cluster in the city center and business districts, making it easy to set up a steady routine. Kigali, Rwanda living cost becomes easier to manage when you scale stays to several months. Tip: Build a week-by-week plan for groceries and transit to avoid waste.

Quality of life in Kigali comes from simple routines that fit your pace. Start with a practical budgeting framework: separate housing, food, transport, and leisure, then adjust as your stay lengthens. Favor neighborhoods that balance safety, cafe culture, and access to coworking or gyms – areas around the city center, plus quieter hillside pockets, tend to offer both vibe and value. Save by cooking with seasonal produce, buying bulk staples at markets, and using public transit or shared rides for longer trips. Seasonality affects rainfall and road conditions, so plan movements around forecasted weather. Tip: Test a neighborhood for a month before committing, and keep a flexible budget for occasional splurges.