Cost of Living in Rwanda - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Rwanda
Address: RW

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $379 (excluding rent), and $733 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $923 (excluding rent), and $1,532 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.41 RWF 4,976

$1.36 RWF 1,993

$6.81 RWF 9,952

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$27.43 RWF 40.1K

$14.81 RWF 21.6K

$41.14 RWF 60.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.05 RWF 8,837

$5.60 RWF 8,174

$7.00 RWF 10.2K

Cappuccino

$2.18 RWF 3,177

$1.70 RWF 2,479

$3.04 RWF 4,445

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

$0.80 RWF 1,163

$0.66 RWF 967

$2.00 RWF 2,915

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.50 RWF 736

$0.34 RWF 496

$0.67 RWF 977

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.07 RWF 1,564

$0.71 RWF 1,038

$1.79 RWF 2,617

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 RWF 2,893

$1.01 RWF 1,475

$2.70 RWF 3,943

Milk (1 liter)

$0.71 RWF 1,040

$0.37 RWF 535

$1.16 RWF 1,697

White Bread (500g)

$1.01 RWF 1,471

$0.68 RWF 995

$1.37 RWF 2,004

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.18 RWF 1,722

$0.82 RWF 1,201

$2.06 RWF 3,010

Eggs

$1.67 RWF 2,444

$1.03 RWF 1,499

$2.14 RWF 3,118

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.76 RWF 5,491

$1.36 RWF 1,993

$6.81 RWF 9,950

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.93 RWF 5,741

$2.36 RWF 3,445

$6.07 RWF 8,860

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.54 RWF 5,176

$2.42 RWF 3,533

$4.84 RWF 7,066

Apples (1kg)

$2.76 RWF 4,024

$1.05 RWF 1,538

$6.70 RWF 9,778

Banana (1kg)

$0.89 RWF 1,301

$0.44 RWF 643

$1.46 RWF 2,128

Oranges (1kg)

$1.40 RWF 2,039

$0.68 RWF 991

$3.41 RWF 4,982

Tomato (1kg)

$1.05 RWF 1,528

$0.43 RWF 629

$1.79 RWF 2,607

Potato (1kg)

$0.46 RWF 670

$0.20 RWF 293

$0.54 RWF 782

Onion (1kg)

$0.81 RWF 1,176

$0.29 RWF 417

$1.06 RWF 1,548

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.43 RWF 629

$0.22 RWF 314

$0.71 RWF 1,033

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.73 RWF 1,073

$0.55 RWF 801

$1.02 RWF 1,488

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.69 RWF 2,475

$1.35 RWF 1,977

$3.38 RWF 4,936

Wine (Bottle)

$10.43 RWF 15.2K

$6.26 RWF 9,143

$20.87 RWF 30.5K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.94 RWF 1,367

$0.59 RWF 865

$1.66 RWF 2,427

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.72 RWF 2,507

$0.85 RWF 1,246

$2.86 RWF 4,173

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.33 RWF 488

$0.27 RWF 391

$0.66 RWF 963

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$27.36 RWF 40.0K

$14.87 RWF 21.7K

$34.21 RWF 50.0K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.71 RWF 3,954

$2.03 RWF 2,958

$3.38 RWF 4,935

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.22 RWF 1,784

$0.70 RWF 1,021

$2.09 RWF 3,049

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.12 RWF 6,021

$3.43 RWF 5,011

$8.24 RWF 12.0K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 RWF 1,663

$1.03 RWF 1,505

$1.23 RWF 1,792

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

$24.2K RWF 35.3M

$16.6K RWF 24.2M

$29.0K RWF 42.3M

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

$22.5K RWF 32.8M

$17.3K RWF 25.3M

$31.2K RWF 45.6M

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

$49.41 RWF 72.2K

$34.48 RWF 50.3K

$82.7 RWF 120.8K

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

$9.39 RWF 13.7K

$3.52 RWF 5,137

$21.12 RWF 30.8K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$21.60 RWF 31.5K

$10.59 RWF 15.5K

$42.39 RWF 61.9K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.65 RWF 46.2K

$17.70 RWF 25.8K

$49.56 RWF 72.4K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$4.42 RWF 6,451

$3.48 RWF 5,088

$5.57 RWF 8,137

Cinema Ticket

$3.39 RWF 4,945

$2.03 RWF 2,964

$3.39 RWF 4,945

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

$137 RWF 200.2K

$70.1 RWF 102.3K

$280 RWF 409.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,419 RWF 6.5M

$1,363 RWF 2.0M

$19.7K RWF 28.7M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$19.05 RWF 27.8K

$10.53 RWF 15.4K

$35.12 RWF 51.3K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$22.87 RWF 33.4K

$10.47 RWF 15.3K

$34.92 RWF 51.0K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$27.83 RWF 40.6K

$17.08 RWF 24.9K

$54.7 RWF 79.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$34.87 RWF 50.9K

$24.59 RWF 35.9K

$50.6 RWF 73.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$429 RWF 626.7K

$210 RWF 306.4K

$814 RWF 1.2M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$285 RWF 416.8K

$69.3 RWF 101.1K

$499 RWF 728.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$887 RWF 1.3M

$354 RWF 516.5K

$1,528 RWF 2.2M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$568 RWF 829.5K

$244 RWF 356.3K

$1,004 RWF 1.5M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,487 RWF 3.6M

$1,856 RWF 2.7M

$5,368 RWF 7.8M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,003 RWF 4.4M

$679 RWF 992.2K

$5,326 RWF 7.8M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$267 RWF 390.2K

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 18, 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	$323	$466	$701	$955	20.38	21.02
2	Byumba	-	19	$291	$374	$889	$866	42.9	21.75
3	Gisenyi	-	21	$279	$415	$627	$909	138.61	49.59
4	Kigali	1132686	40	$383	$803	$948	$1,682	26.13	48.81
5	Nyamata	-	24	$384	$485	$851	$1,100	92.03	25.77

Rwanda 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

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.