Cost of Living in Rwanda - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Rwanda
Address: RW

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $389 (excluding rent), and $720 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $941 (excluding rent), and $1,575 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.57 RWF 5,213

$1.43 RWF 2,088

$7.14 RWF 10.4K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.25 RWF 41.2K

$15.26 RWF 22.3K

$42.38 RWF 61.9K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.91 RWF 8,623

$5.46 RWF 7,976

$6.83 RWF 9,974

Cappuccino

$2.17 RWF 3,161

$1.69 RWF 2,466

$3.03 RWF 4,422

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

$0.86 RWF 1,250

$0.71 RWF 1,039

$2.15 RWF 3,133

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.49 RWF 722

$0.33 RWF 486

$0.66 RWF 958

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.03 RWF 1,497

$0.68 RWF 993

$1.72 RWF 2,504

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.02 RWF 2,951

$1.03 RWF 1,504

$2.75 RWF 4,021

Milk (1 liter)

$0.65 RWF 955

$0.34 RWF 491

$1.07 RWF 1,558

White Bread (500g)

$1.00 RWF 1,467

$0.68 RWF 992

$1.37 RWF 1,999

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.16 RWF 1,699

$0.81 RWF 1,185

$2.03 RWF 2,970

Eggs

$1.67 RWF 2,435

$1.02 RWF 1,494

$2.13 RWF 3,107

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.85 RWF 5,614

$1.40 RWF 2,038

$6.97 RWF 10.2K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.12 RWF 6,009

$2.47 RWF 3,605

$6.35 RWF 9,273

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.46 RWF 5,057

$2.36 RWF 3,452

$4.73 RWF 6,904

Apples (1kg)

$2.65 RWF 3,866

$1.01 RWF 1,478

$6.44 RWF 9,395

Banana (1kg)

$0.89 RWF 1,293

$0.44 RWF 639

$1.45 RWF 2,114

Oranges (1kg)

$1.40 RWF 2,041

$0.68 RWF 992

$3.42 RWF 4,988

Tomato (1kg)

$1.04 RWF 1,524

$0.43 RWF 628

$1.78 RWF 2,600

Potato (1kg)

$0.47 RWF 684

$0.21 RWF 299

$0.55 RWF 798

Onion (1kg)

$0.82 RWF 1,192

$0.29 RWF 422

$1.08 RWF 1,569

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.44 RWF 642

$0.22 RWF 321

$0.72 RWF 1,055

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 RWF 1,047

$0.54 RWF 782

$0.99 RWF 1,451

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.78 RWF 2,601

$1.42 RWF 2,078

$3.55 RWF 5,188

Wine (Bottle)

$10.48 RWF 15.3K

$6.29 RWF 9,183

$20.96 RWF 30.6K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.03 RWF 1,499

$0.65 RWF 948

$1.82 RWF 2,661

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.63 RWF 2,384

$0.81 RWF 1,185

$2.72 RWF 3,968

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 RWF 530

$0.29 RWF 424

$0.72 RWF 1,045

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$27.53 RWF 40.2K

$14.96 RWF 21.8K

$34.42 RWF 50.2K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.86 RWF 4,174

$2.14 RWF 3,123

$3.57 RWF 5,210

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.28 RWF 1,862

$0.73 RWF 1,066

$2.18 RWF 3,184

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.15 RWF 6,064

$3.46 RWF 5,046

$8.30 RWF 12.1K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 RWF 1,661

$1.03 RWF 1,504

$1.23 RWF 1,790

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

$24.7K RWF 36.1M

$16.9K RWF 24.7M

$29.7K RWF 43.3M

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

$22.4K RWF 32.7M

$17.3K RWF 25.2M

$31.1K RWF 45.4M

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

$49.40 RWF 72.1K

$34.47 RWF 50.3K

$82.7 RWF 120.7K

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

$9.02 RWF 13.2K

$3.38 RWF 4,933

$20.29 RWF 29.6K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$21.40 RWF 31.2K

$10.49 RWF 15.3K

$41.99 RWF 61.3K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.60 RWF 46.1K

$17.67 RWF 25.8K

$49.47 RWF 72.2K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$4.34 RWF 6,333

$3.42 RWF 4,994

$5.47 RWF 7,988

Cinema Ticket

$3.41 RWF 4,980

$2.05 RWF 2,985

$3.41 RWF 4,980

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

$135 RWF 196.6K

$68.8 RWF 100.5K

$275 RWF 401.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,409 RWF 6.4M

$1,360 RWF 2.0M

$19.6K RWF 28.7M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.46 RWF 26.9K

$10.20 RWF 14.9K

$34.03 RWF 49.7K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.11 RWF 33.7K

$10.58 RWF 15.4K

$35.29 RWF 51.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$27.73 RWF 40.5K

$17.02 RWF 24.8K

$54.5 RWF 79.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$33.89 RWF 49.5K

$23.90 RWF 34.9K

$49.16 RWF 71.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$433 RWF 632.1K

$212 RWF 309.1K

$821 RWF 1.2M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$286 RWF 418.2K

$69.5 RWF 101.5K

$501 RWF 730.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$873 RWF 1.3M

$348 RWF 508.2K

$1,504 RWF 2.2M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$555 RWF 810.6K

$239 RWF 348.2K

$982 RWF 1.4M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,443 RWF 3.6M

$1,821 RWF 2.7M

$5,276 RWF 7.7M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,033 RWF 4.4M

$685 RWF 1.0M

$5,380 RWF 7.9M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$268 RWF 391.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.43

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

By City in Rwanda

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Butare	-	23	$285	$454	$633	$959	20.38	21.02
2	Byumba	-	19	$342	$375	$768	$867	42.9	21.75
3	Gisenyi	-	21	$325	$410	$662	$920	138.61	49.59
4	Kigali	1132686	40	$380	$797	$942	$1,644	26.13	48.81
5	Nyamata	-	24	$393	$481	$847	$1,065	92.03	25.77

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Rwanda - Frequently Asked Questions

For many, Cost of Living in Rwanda offers a sensible balance between affordability and quality of life. In urban centers you will find reliable services, creative coworking spaces, and diverse dining without the price surges common in bigger cities. Outside the capital, you may enjoy even lower daily costs and quieter neighborhoods, with easy access to nature and cultural experiences. Budgeting feels approachable when you plan around basic needs, transport, and occasional splurges like weekend outings. Tip: Prioritize a neighborhood near a reliable transit line to simplify errands and reduce commute time.

Daily life hinges on where you base yourself. In Kigali or major towns, you can find a range of housing from compact apartments to shared homes, with options that suit short and longer stays. Food is varied: farmers markets offer fresh produce, while cafes provide affordable workspace as an alternative to hotels. Transport flows from public buses and motos to ride-hailing apps in cities. For errands and coworking, choose areas with reliable internet, safety, and walkable amenities. Rwanda living cost tends to feel digestible when you balance home hunting with flexible dining and occasional weekend trips to surrounding countryside. Tip: Start with a short-term stay to test neighborhoods before committing.

Quality of life in Rwanda benefits from choosing a neighborhood that matches your pace and safety needs. Build a simple monthly framework: fixed essentials (housing, utilities, internet) plus flexible leisure and transport. Seasonality affects outdoor activities more than day-to-day prices, so plan for rainier periods and dry spells when you schedule outings. Look for neighborhoods with reliable Wi-Fi, accessible groceries, and easy transit to coworking hubs. Compare daily convenience across areas by visiting midweek to gauge noise, crowds, and safety. Tip: Test a 2-4 week stay in a couple of districts before committing to a longer lease.