Cost of living in Rwanda compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 14% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Rwanda is 14% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Rwanda | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 50,000 Franc ($35) | $22 | + 64% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 15,000 Franc ($11) | $12 | - 12% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 4,250 Franc ($2.99) | $5.93 | - 50% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,600 Franc ($1.13) | $1.09 | + 3% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2,400 Franc ($1.69) | $5.62 | - 70% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 1,200 Franc ($0.85) | $4.83 | - 83% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 12,000 Franc ($8) | $8 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 12,000 Franc ($8) | $4.23 | + 100% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 600 Franc ($0.42) | $2.30 | - 82% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1,200 Franc ($0.85) | $3.70 | - 77% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 30,000 Franc ($21) | $18 | + 16% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2,629 Franc ($1.85) | $2.94 | - 37% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 2,150 Franc ($1.51) | $3.01 | - 50% | |
| Housing | - 52% | |||
| Housing in Rwanda is 52% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Rwanda | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 2,100,000 Franc ($1,480) | $3,070 | - 52% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,050,000 Franc ($740) | $2,361 | - 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 600,000 Franc ($423) | $237 | + 78% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 Franc ($705) | $2,222 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 593,392 Franc ($418) | $1,628 | - 74% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 200,000 Franc ($141) | $168 | - 16% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 40,000 Franc ($28) | $62 | - 54% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 600,000 Franc ($423) | $251 | + 68% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 80,000 Franc ($56) | $150 | - 62% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 2,000 Franc ($1.41) | $15 | - 91% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $34 | - | |
| Clothes | - 80% | |||
| Clothes in Rwanda is 80% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Rwanda | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 7,000 Franc ($4.93) | $58 | - 92% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 22,213 Franc ($16) | $49 | - 68% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 15,000 Franc ($11) | $106 | - 90% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 36,970 Franc ($26) | $141 | - 82% | |
| Transportation | - 58% | |||
| Transportation in Rwanda is 58% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Rwanda | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 40,000,000 Franc ($28,182) | $30,916 | - 9% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,793 Franc ($1.26) | $0.93 | + 35% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 19,078 Franc ($13) | $85 | - 84% | |
| Personal Care | - 73% | |||
| Personal Care in Rwanda is 73% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Rwanda | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 2,500 Franc ($1.76) | $10 | - 81% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 6,057 Franc ($4.27) | $24 | - 83% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 12,473 Franc ($9) | $167 | - 95% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 2,988 Franc ($2.11) | $10 | - 78% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 6,875 Franc ($4.84) | $5.29 | - 8% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 4,172 Franc ($2.94) | $7 | - 59% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 2,000 Franc ($1.41) | $5.05 | - 72% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 1,352 Franc ($0.95) | $2.37 | - 60% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 2,594 Franc ($1.83) | $31 | - 94% | |
| Entertainment | - 77% | |||
| Entertainment in Rwanda is 77% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Rwanda | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 10,420 Franc ($7) | $61 | - 88% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 12,000 Franc ($8) | $31 | - 72% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 40,000 Franc ($28) | $234 | - 88% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 53,863 Franc ($38) | $104 | - 63% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 7,718 Franc ($5.44) | $15 | - 64% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 3,810 Franc ($2.68) | $6 | - 55% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,335 Franc ($0.94) | $8 | - 88% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 211,565 Franc ($149) | $464 | - 68% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 60 Franc ($0.04) | $0.52 | - 92% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 60,000 Franc ($42) | $70 | - 40% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,967 Franc ($1.39) | $11 | - 88% | |
| TOTAL | - 53% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 15,792 prices entered by 1,797 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00070
USD
/
RWF
Cost of living in Rwanda is 53% cheaper than in United States
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