Cost of living in Rwanda compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 46% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Rwanda is 46% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Rwanda | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 50,000 Franc (¥4,874) | ¥1,013 | + 381% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 15,000 Franc (¥1,462) | ¥808 | + 81% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 4,250 Franc (¥414) | ¥613 | - 32% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,600 Franc (¥156) | ¥220 | - 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2,400 Franc (¥234) | ¥323 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 1,200 Franc (¥117) | ¥613 | - 81% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 12,000 Franc (¥1,170) | ¥1,107 | + 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 12,000 Franc (¥1,170) | ¥766 | + 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 600 Franc (¥58) | ¥468 | - 88% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1,200 Franc (¥117) | ¥304 | - 62% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 30,000 Franc (¥2,924) | ¥1,290 | + 127% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2,629 Franc (¥256) | ¥218 | + 18% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 2,150 Franc (¥210) | ¥191 | + 9% | |
| Housing | - 25% | |||
| Housing in Rwanda is 25% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Rwanda | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 2,100,000 Franc (¥204,710) | ¥365,082 | - 44% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,050,000 Franc (¥102,355) | ¥197,136 | - 48% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 600,000 Franc (¥58,489) | ¥19,132 | + 206% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 Franc (¥97,481) | ¥156,916 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 593,392 Franc (¥57,844) | ¥102,459 | - 44% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 200,000 Franc (¥19,496) | ¥8,349 | + 134% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 40,000 Franc (¥3,899) | ¥4,448 | - 12% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 600,000 Franc (¥58,489) | ¥74,559 | - 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 80,000 Franc (¥7,798) | ¥25,414 | - 69% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 2,000 Franc (¥195) | ¥1,338 | - 85% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥2,815 | - | |
| Clothes | - 70% | |||
| Clothes in Rwanda is 70% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Rwanda | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 18,000 Franc (¥1,755) | ¥8,708 | - 80% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 22,213 Franc (¥2,165) | ¥5,103 | - 58% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 15,000 Franc (¥1,462) | ¥9,892 | - 85% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 36,970 Franc (¥3,604) | ¥12,189 | - 70% | |
| Transportation | - 45% | |||
| Transportation in Rwanda is 45% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Rwanda | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 40,000,000 Franc (¥3,899,241) | ¥3,007,320 | + 30% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,793 Franc (¥175) | ¥169 | + 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 19,078 Franc (¥1,860) | ¥8,198 | - 77% | |
| Personal Care | - 62% | |||
| Personal Care in Rwanda is 62% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Rwanda | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 2,500 Franc (¥244) | ¥2,133 | - 89% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 6,057 Franc (¥590) | ¥2,551 | - 77% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 12,473 Franc (¥1,216) | ¥6,000 | - 80% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 2,988 Franc (¥291) | ¥1,337 | - 78% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 6,875 Franc (¥670) | ¥930 | - 28% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 4,172 Franc (¥407) | ¥622 | - 35% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 2,000 Franc (¥195) | ¥224 | - 13% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 1,352 Franc (¥132) | ¥188 | - 30% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 2,594 Franc (¥253) | ¥4,604 | - 95% | |
| Entertainment | - 66% | |||
| Entertainment in Rwanda is 66% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Rwanda | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 10,420 Franc (¥1,016) | ¥4,908 | - 79% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 12,000 Franc (¥1,170) | ¥3,881 | - 70% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 40,000 Franc (¥3,899) | ¥7,212 | - 46% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 53,863 Franc (¥5,251) | ¥8,269 | - 37% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 7,718 Franc (¥752) | ¥1,244 | - 40% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 3,810 Franc (¥371) | ¥547 | - 32% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,335 Franc (¥130) | ¥674 | - 81% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 211,565 Franc (¥20,624) | ¥51,659 | - 60% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 60 Franc (¥6) | ¥52 | - 89% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 60,000 Franc (¥5,849) | ¥9,530 | - 39% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,496 Franc (¥243) | ¥602 | - 60% | |
| TOTAL | - 28% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 453 prices entered by 100 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.09748
JPY
/
RWF
Cost of living in Rwanda is 28% cheaper than in Japan
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Japan
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 11% more expensive than in Japan
- Cost of living in Andorra is 26% more expensive than in Japan
- Cost of living in Albania is 37% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Japan
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 76% more expensive than in Japan
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 15% more expensive than in Japan
- Cost of living in Armenia is 13% cheaper than in Japan