Capital city, Rwanda
Cost of living in Kigali
How much a month costs in Kigali
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $744–1,220 (FRw1.1M–1.8M).
Prices in Kigali
Typical 2026 ranges in RWF, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | RWF | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | FRw400,000–900,000 | $271–609 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | FRw250,000–450,000 | $169–304 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | FRw12,000–25,000 | $8.1–16.9 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | FRw60,000–150,000 | $41–101 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | FRw2,500–5,000 | $1.7–3.4 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | FRw8,000–18,000 | $5.4–12.2 |
| Cappuccino | FRw2,000–3,500 | $1.4–2.4 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | FRw1,500–2,800 | $1.0–1.9 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | FRw400–700 | $0.27–0.47 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | FRw2,500–5,000 | $1.7–3.4 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | FRw30,000–80,000 | $20–54 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | FRw10,000–20,000 | $6.8–13.5 |
Value for money: 80/100
A value score of 80/100 means Kigali gives more quality of life per dollar than 79% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 53/100.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Rwanda
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Musanze | $473–812 | 95/100 |
| Kigali | $744–1,220 | 80/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Kigali
Similar safety, lower cost, in Africa.
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Kigali?
About $338–541 on a lean budget, $744–1,220 for a comfortable month and $1,690–3,040 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Kigali?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs FRw400,000–900,000 ($271–609) a month in the center and FRw250,000–450,000 ($169–304) outside it.
How much does food cost in Kigali?
A local meal is FRw2,500–5,000 ($1.7–3.4); a mid-range restaurant is FRw8,000–18,000 ($5.4–12.2) per person.
Is Rwanda expensive?
Prices in Rwanda are about 27% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Kigali
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Visit Rwanda (Rwanda Development Board)
- Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.