Rwanda🇷🇼

At a Glance

How Rwanda compares across key indices

Quality of Life122Safety74Healthcare74Affordability25Climate100Clean Air43

Cost of Living

25 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

74/100

Healthcare

74/100

Quality of Life

122/200

Climate

100/100

Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Rwanda

Cost of Living

25

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

13

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

23

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

22

100 = NYC dining

Monthly costs range from $227 in Nyamata to $1,162 in Kigali

City Costs Comparison

Nyamata

Cheapest

$227/mo

Housing$68
Food$61
Utilities$89

Kigali

$1,162/mo

Food$74

Safety & Crime

Low Risk

How safe residents feel in Rwanda — based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

74/100

Crime Index

26/100

Lower is better

Crime Trend

43/100

Mixed perception

Walking Safety

Daytime85
Nighttime70

15 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Corruption & bribery
Low36
Property crimes
Low32
Drug-related crime
Very Low25
Violent crimes
Very Low23

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Things stolen from car
Low36
Home broken into
Low34
Being mugged or robbed
Very Low25
Being physically attacked
Very Low21
Being insulted or harassed
Very Low19
Car stolen
Very Low17
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Very Low16

Based on 69 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in Rwanda

Rwanda has 2 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $227 in Nyamata to $1,162 in Kigali.

💸Most Affordable

Nyamata

$227/mo

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Nyamata$227————
Kigali$1,162————

Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.

Compare Cities Side by Side

Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life

Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for Rwanda

Healthcare Index

74/100

Quality Breakdown

Friendliness & Courtesy74/100
Staff Skill & Competency73/100
Accuracy & Completeness72/100
Speed of Service70/100
Modern Equipment67/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist66/100
Cost Satisfaction84/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 23 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

Employer Sponsored
52.2%
Public
47.8%
Healthcare74Safety74Quality of Life122
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Environment

Moderate

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Rwanda

Pollution Index

43/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Clean & Tidy88/100
Garbage Disposal77/100
Comfortable to Spend Time67/100
Green Spaces & Parks66/100
Drinking Water Quality63/100
Air Quality58/100

Concerns

Water Pollution47/100
Noise & Light Pollution27/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 16 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

How people get around in Rwanda

Average One-Way Commute

16minutes

Very Short

Traffic Index

88

Below average congestion

Inefficiency

46

Time wasted in traffic

CO2 Emissions

3.7kg/trip

How People Commute

Car66.7%
Motorcycle33.3%

Based on 3 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Rwanda, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Rwanda?

Rwanda has a cost of living index of 25 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $227 in Nyamata and reach $1,162 in Kigali.

What is the cheapest city in Rwanda for expats?

Nyamata is the most affordable city in Rwanda with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $227 for a single person including rent. Kigali is the next most affordable at $1,162/mo.

Is Rwanda safe for expats?

Rwanda has a safety index of 74/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers.

How good is healthcare in Rwanda?

Rwanda scores 74/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it good by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.

Is Rwanda cheaper than the United States?

Yes. Rwanda's cost of living is roughly 75% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 87% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Rwanda

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