Cost of living in Kigali (Rwanda) is 5% more expensive than in Medellín (Colombia)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,275 prices entered by 152 different people.
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Currency:
Food | + 4% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Kigali (Rwanda) is about the same as in Medellín (Colombia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kigali | Medellín | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,610 Franc (COL$24,662) | COL$32,620 | - 24% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 4,829 Franc (COL$21,228) | COL$25,125 | - 16% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 4,242 Franc (COL$18,645) | COL$13,940 | + 34% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,182 Franc (COL$5,198) | COL$3,880 | + 34% | |
12 eggs, large | 1,752 Franc (COL$7,700) | COL$10,735 | - 28% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 1,290 Franc (COL$5,670) | COL$4,135 | + 37% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 5,848 Franc (COL$25,708) | COL$13,239 | + 94% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 3,524 Franc (COL$15,491) | COL$7,606 | + 104% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 356 Franc (COL$1,565) | COL$4,709 | - 67% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 858 Franc (COL$3,770) | COL$3,599 | + 5% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 13,261 Franc (COL$58,291) | COL$44,524 | + 31% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 2,019 Franc (COL$8,877) | COL$6,685 | + 33% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,013 Franc (COL$4,454) | COL$4,695 | - 5% | |
Housing | + 41% | |||
Housing in Kigali (Rwanda) is 41% more expensive than in Medellín (Colombia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kigali | Medellín | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 983,878 Franc (COL$4,324,908) | COL$3,177,650 | + 36% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 523,234 Franc (COL$2,300,020) | COL$1,578,880 | + 46% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 89,877 Franc (COL$395,080) | COL$261,944 | + 51% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 576,370 Franc (COL$2,533,594) | COL$1,835,630 | + 38% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 289,061 Franc (COL$1,270,648) | COL$1,035,420 | + 23% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 52,318 Franc (COL$229,977) | COL$168,095 | + 37% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 31,639 Franc (COL$139,077) | COL$85,672 | + 62% | |
40” flat screen tv | 415,845 Franc (COL$1,827,962) | COL$1,688,160 | + 8% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 126,581 Franc (COL$556,422) | COL$774,932 | - 28% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 7,871 Franc (COL$34,601) | COL$26,646 | + 30% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 9,463 Franc (COL$41,599) | COL$13,344 | + 212% | |
Clothes | - 25% | |||
Clothes in Kigali (Rwanda) is 25% cheaper than in Medellín (Colombia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kigali | Medellín | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 21,402 Franc (COL$94,078) | COL$194,451 | - 52% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 23,016 Franc (COL$101,174) | COL$104,922 | - 4% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 29,600 Franc (COL$130,114) | COL$323,958 | - 60% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 49,487 Franc (COL$217,533) | COL$258,907 | - 16% | |
Transportation | - 17% | |||
Transportation in Kigali (Rwanda) is 17% cheaper than in Medellín (Colombia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kigali | Medellín | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 10,887,300 Franc (COL$47,858,139) | COL$63,430,400 | - 25% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,215 Franc (COL$5,340) | COL$5,476 | - 2% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 22,225 Franc (COL$97,694) | COL$131,646 | - 26% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 11,140 Franc (COL$48,968) | COL$37,815 | + 29% | |
Personal Care | + 8% | |||
Personal Care in Kigali (Rwanda) is 8% more expensive than in Medellín (Colombia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kigali | Medellín | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 5,526 Franc (COL$24,292) | COL$20,231 | + 20% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 6,537 Franc (COL$28,733) | COL$35,044 | - 18% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 21,834 Franc (COL$95,979) | COL$91,946 | + 4% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 3,646 Franc (COL$16,028) | COL$27,294 | - 41% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 6,045 Franc (COL$26,570) | COL$15,340 | + 73% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 3,857 Franc (COL$16,956) | COL$16,983 | - 0% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 936 Franc (COL$4,113) | COL$7,972 | - 48% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 1,329 Franc (COL$5,842) | COL$6,994 | - 16% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 3,107 Franc (COL$13,656) | COL$30,725 | - 56% | |
Entertainment | + 5% | |||
Entertainment in Kigali (Rwanda) is 5% more expensive than in Medellín (Colombia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Kigali | Medellín | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 14,168 Franc (COL$62,279) | COL$52,279 | + 19% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 9,390 Franc (COL$41,277) | COL$33,459 | + 23% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 55,136 Franc (COL$242,365) | COL$112,608 | + 115% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 26,506 Franc (COL$116,514) | COL$91,725 | + 27% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 6,283 Franc (COL$27,619) | COL$29,202 | - 5% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 3,102 Franc (COL$13,638) | COL$10,322 | + 32% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,072 Franc (COL$4,713) | COL$4,456 | + 6% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 302,163 Franc (COL$1,328,241) | COL$2,177,680 | - 39% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 75 Franc (COL$328) | COL$236 | + 39% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 47,591 Franc (COL$209,199) | COL$149,538 | + 40% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,967 Franc (COL$8,648) | COL$22,828 | - 62% | |
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TOTAL | + 5% |

These prices were last updated on March 21, 2023.
Exchange rate:
4.396
COP
/
RWF
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For example, you would need at least COL$9,398,365 (2,138,044 Franc) in Kigali to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with COL$8,980,000 in Medellín.
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