Cost of living in Rwanda compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | - 34% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Rwanda is 34% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Rwanda | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,202 Franc (¥649) | ¥1,028 | - 37% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 6,774 Franc (¥845) | ¥723 | + 17% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3,095 Franc (¥386) | ¥519 | - 26% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,357 Franc (¥169) | ¥197 | - 14% | |
12 eggs, large | 2,886 Franc (¥360) | ¥316 | + 14% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 1,110 Franc (¥138) | ¥629 | - 78% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 6,408 Franc (¥799) | ¥962 | - 17% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 3,208 Franc (¥400) | ¥902 | - 56% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 340 Franc (¥42) | ¥574 | - 93% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1,127 Franc (¥141) | ¥285 | - 51% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 12,159 Franc (¥1,516) | ¥1,208 | + 26% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 1,813 Franc (¥226) | ¥184 | + 23% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,500 Franc (¥187) | ¥206 | - 9% | |
Housing | - 40% | |||
Housing in Rwanda is 40% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Rwanda | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 933,284 Franc (¥116,390) | ¥326,267 | - 64% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 597,866 Franc (¥74,560) | ¥171,772 | - 57% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 405,452 Franc (¥50,564) | ¥28,488 | + 77% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 884,630 Franc (¥110,322) | ¥157,603 | - 30% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 334,630 Franc (¥41,732) | ¥82,713 | - 50% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 202,726 Franc (¥25,282) | ¥24,082 | + 5% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 15,853 Franc (¥1,977) | ¥4,699 | - 58% | |
40” flat screen tv | 587,805 Franc (¥73,305) | ¥47,482 | + 54% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 116,341 Franc (¥14,509) | ¥32,093 | - 55% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9,857 Franc (¥1,229) | ¥1,313 | - 6% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 13,000 Franc (¥1,621) | ¥1,878 | - 14% | |
Clothes | - 52% | |||
Clothes in Rwanda is 52% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Rwanda | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 18,000 Franc (¥2,245) | ¥6,136 | - 63% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 22,213 Franc (¥2,770) | ¥5,199 | - 47% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 38,746 Franc (¥4,832) | ¥8,989 | - 46% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 36,970 Franc (¥4,611) | ¥13,588 | - 66% | |
Transportation | - 40% | |||
Transportation in Rwanda is 40% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Rwanda | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 40,000,000 Franc (¥4,988,407) | ¥2,700,660 | + 85% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,462 Franc (¥182) | ¥165 | + 11% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 19,078 Franc (¥2,379) | ¥10,143 | - 77% | |
Personal Care | - 56% | |||
Personal Care in Rwanda is 56% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Rwanda | Japan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 4,159 Franc (¥519) | ¥2,497 | - 79% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 6,057 Franc (¥755) | ¥1,967 | - 62% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 12,473 Franc (¥1,556) | ¥5,380 | - 71% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 2,988 Franc (¥373) | ¥650 | - 43% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 5,037 Franc (¥628) | ¥938 | - 33% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 4,172 Franc (¥520) | ¥702 | - 26% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,000 Franc (¥125) | ¥218 | - 43% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 1,352 Franc (¥169) | ¥216 | - 22% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 2,594 Franc (¥324) | ¥3,927 | - 92% | |
Entertainment | - 51% | |||
Entertainment in Rwanda is 51% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Rwanda | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 10,420 Franc (¥1,299) | ¥4,141 | - 69% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 12,000 Franc (¥1,497) | ¥3,600 | - 58% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 100,000 Franc (¥12,471) | ¥4,000 | + 212% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 53,863 Franc (¥6,717) | ¥5,993 | + 12% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 7,718 Franc (¥962) | ¥984 | - 2% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 3,810 Franc (¥475) | ¥472 | + 1% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,335 Franc (¥167) | ¥575 | - 71% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 211,565 Franc (¥26,384) | ¥101,122 | - 74% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 60 Franc (¥8) | ¥52 | - 85% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 60,000 Franc (¥7,483) | ¥9,280 | - 19% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,496 Franc (¥311) | ¥592 | - 47% | |
TOTAL | - 42% |

These prices were last updated on May 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.12471
JPY
/
RWF
Cost of living in Rwanda is 42% cheaper than in Japan
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