Cost of living in Rwanda compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 48% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Rwanda is 48% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,599 Franc ($5.64) | $15 | - 63% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 4,785 Franc ($4.82) | $8 | - 41% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3,660 Franc ($3.69) | $4.26 | - 13% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,060 Franc ($1.07) | $0.88 | + 21% | |
12 eggs, large | 1,542 Franc ($1.55) | $2.94 | - 47% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 1,253 Franc ($1.26) | $4.11 | - 69% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 4,099 Franc ($4.13) | $6 | - 35% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 4,250 Franc ($4.28) | $3.31 | + 29% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 403 Franc ($0.41) | $1.67 | - 76% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 793 Franc ($0.80) | $3.32 | - 76% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 11,072 Franc ($11) | $14 | - 21% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 1,883 Franc ($1.90) | $1.99 | - 5% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 835 Franc ($0.84) | $2.06 | - 59% | |
Housing | - 64% | |||
Housing in Rwanda is 64% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 965,722 Franc ($973) | $2,210 | - 56% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 444,039 Franc ($447) | $1,548 | - 71% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 84,486 Franc ($85) | $178 | - 52% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 440,958 Franc ($444) | $1,530 | - 71% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 207,137 Franc ($209) | $1,114 | - 81% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 37,169 Franc ($37) | $111 | - 66% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 19,486 Franc ($20) | $50 | - 61% | |
40” flat screen tv | 419,587 Franc ($423) | $272 | + 55% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 110,059 Franc ($111) | $128 | - 13% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 7,502 Franc ($8) | $11 | - 28% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 5,000 Franc ($5.04) | $22 | - 77% | |
Clothes | - 47% | |||
Clothes in Rwanda is 47% cheaper than in United States | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,820 Franc ($31) | $47 | - 34% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 22,954 Franc ($23) | $43 | - 47% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 32,779 Franc ($33) | $87 | - 62% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 53,514 Franc ($54) | $109 | - 51% | |
Transportation | - 30% | |||
Transportation in Rwanda is 30% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 40,000,000 Franc ($40,285) | $23,539 | + 71% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 937 Franc ($0.94) | $0.64 | + 48% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 19,442 Franc ($20) | $74 | - 74% | |
Personal Care | - 56% | |||
Personal Care in Rwanda is 56% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 4,192 Franc ($4.22) | $7 | - 41% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 4,497 Franc ($4.53) | $16 | - 73% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 13,408 Franc ($14) | $113 | - 88% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 3,681 Franc ($3.71) | $7 | - 44% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 4,577 Franc ($4.61) | $3.47 | + 33% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 3,844 Franc ($3.87) | $4.91 | - 21% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,246 Franc ($1.25) | $3.65 | - 66% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 1,423 Franc ($1.43) | $1.81 | - 21% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 3,955 Franc ($3.98) | $22 | - 82% | |
Entertainment | - 54% | |||
Entertainment in Rwanda is 54% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 34,092 Franc ($34) | $46 | - 25% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 7,538 Franc ($8) | $25 | - 70% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 100,000 Franc ($101) | $205 | - 51% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 53,863 Franc ($54) | $79 | - 31% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 6,330 Franc ($6) | $12 | - 48% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 4,007 Franc ($4.04) | $5.05 | - 20% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,068 Franc ($1.08) | $5.81 | - 81% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 211,565 Franc ($213) | $420 | - 49% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 60 Franc ($0.06) | $0.51 | - 88% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 31,780 Franc ($32) | $50 | - 35% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,496 Franc ($2.51) | $8 | - 70% | |
TOTAL | - 51% |

These prices were last updated on February 27, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00101
USD
/
RWF
Cost of living in Rwanda is 51% cheaper than in United States
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