Cost Of Living For a Student in Kigali 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: RWF
Average monthly spending for students in Kigali
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Kigali?
Students in Kigali spend around 370,000 RWF per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 56,000 RWF or as high as 2.5M RWF. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Kigali
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 660 RWF | 1,300 RWF | 2,200 RWF |
Restaurant meal for one
| 2,300 RWF | 3,500 RWF | 7,000 RWF |
Fine dining meal for one
| 4,700 RWF | 7,000 RWF | 28,000 RWF |
Cappuccino or latte
| 550 RWF | 880 RWF | 1,300 RWF |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
| 750 RWF | 980 RWF | 1,400 RWF |
Pack of beef
| 880 RWF | 1,300 RWF | 2,700 RWF |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
| 580 RWF | 700 RWF | 1,400 RWF |
Average car full tank
| 3,300 RWF | 4,400 RWF | 8,800 RWF |
Average car 1-day rental
| 3,700 RWF | 4,900 RWF | 7,300 RWF |
Average car price
| 1.7M RWF | 3.3M RWF | 4.4M RWF |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 4,900 RWF | 7,300 RWF | 15,000 RWF |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 2,300 RWF | 15,000 RWF | 100,000 RWF |
Internet and cable
| 3,300 RWF | 6,600 RWF | 8,800 RWF |
Mobile phone charges
| 2,700 RWF | 4,400 RWF | 13,000 RWF |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 1,700 RWF | 2,200 RWF | 3,300 RWF |
One month gym membership
| 5,900 RWF | 7,300 RWF | 15,000 RWF |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 4,300 RWF | 6,100 RWF | 9,200 RWF |
Woman dress
| 4,100 RWF | 5,600 RWF | 18,000 RWF |
Woman shoes
| 3,900 RWF | 5,200 RWF | 12,000 RWF |
Men's shoes
| 3,300 RWF | 4,100 RWF | 8,100 RWF |
Men suit
| 3,700 RWF | 4,600 RWF | 24,000 RWF |
Regular t-shirt
| 1,800 RWF | 2,400 RWF | 7,300 RWF |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 61,000 RWF | 92,000 RWF | 240,000 RWF |
1-bedroom apartment
| 92,000 RWF | 150,000 RWF | 370,000 RWF |
2-bedroom apartment
| 120,000 RWF | 180,000 RWF | 490,000 RWF |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 66,000 RWF | 83,000 RWF | 110,000 RWF |
Double Bed
| 44,000 RWF | 66,000 RWF | 83,000 RWF |
Single Bed
| 39,000 RWF | 51,000 RWF | 66,000 RWF |
Living Room
| 74,000 RWF | 95,000 RWF | 330,000 RWF |
Dining Table
| 33,000 RWF | 44,000 RWF | 83,000 RWF |
Sofa or Couch
| 44,000 RWF | 60,000 RWF | 130,000 RWF |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 44,000 RWF | 66,000 RWF | 130,000 RWF |
Fridge or Freezer
| 39,000 RWF | 60,000 RWF | 83,000 RWF |
Washing Machine
| 51,000 RWF | 74,000 RWF | 130,000 RWF |
Stove or Cooker
| 47,000 RWF | 60,000 RWF | 83,000 RWF |
Mobile Phone
| 55,000 RWF | 66,000 RWF | 95,000 RWF |
Laptop or Computer
| 60,000 RWF | 74,000 RWF | 130,000 RWF |
How do students spend their money in Kigali?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost16%
16% of total expenses on average (11% to 22%)
| LOW | $11 14,000 RWF |
| AVERAGE | $70 90,000 RWF |
| HIGH | $470 600,000 RWF |
| Per Month |
Students in Kigali typically spend from 11% to 22% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 16% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 90,000 RWF with expenditure ranging from 14,000 RWF to 600,000 RWF. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $1.8 2,300 RWF |
| AVERAGE | $12 15,000 RWF |
| HIGH | $78 100,000 RWF |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Kigali ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 15,000 RWF with 2,300 RWF and 100,000 RWF being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel3%
3% of total expenses on average (4% to 9%)
| LOW | $3.1 3,900 RWF |
| AVERAGE | $20 26,000 RWF |
| HIGH | $140 170,000 RWF |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 3,900 RWF to 170,000 RWF in a month on commuting with 26,000 RWF being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 3% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 9%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost24%
24% of total expenses on average (18% to 28%)
| LOW | $8.8 11,000 RWF |
| AVERAGE | $59 75,000 RWF |
| HIGH | $390 500,000 RWF |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Kigali is 75,000 RWF. The cost of groceries can range between 11,000 RWF to 500,000 RWF. Students spend on average about 24% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 18% and 28% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare10%
10% of total expenses on average (7% to 13%)
| LOW | $2.6 3,400 RWF |
| AVERAGE | $18 22,000 RWF |
| HIGH | $120 150,000 RWF |
| Per Month |
Students in Kigali allocate 7% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 3,400 RWF to 150,000 RWF with 22,000 RWF being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)
| LOW | $2.2 2,800 RWF |
| AVERAGE | $15 19,000 RWF |
| HIGH | $98 120,000 RWF |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 2,800 RWF to 120,000 RWF with 19,000 RWF being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $8.3 11,000 RWF |
| AVERAGE | $56 71,000 RWF |
| HIGH | $370 470,000 RWF |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 71,000 RWF per month with 11,000 RWF being the minimum spent amount and 470,000 RWF being the maximum.
Other Expenses20%
20% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)
| LOW | $6.6 8,400 RWF |
| AVERAGE | $44 56,000 RWF |
| HIGH | $290 370,000 RWF |
| Per Month |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Kigali
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Kigali?
Around 54% of surveyed students think that living in Kigali is affordable with proper budgeting while 46% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Kigali
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options59%
Few low-cost options41%
Based on the survey, 59% of the students living in Kigali have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 41% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students of Kigali whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes54%
No46%
Based on the survey, 46% of the students living in Kigali said that they don't have an emergency fund while 54% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Rwanda
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy46%
We asked student guardians and parents in Kigali whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 54% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 46% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of Rwanda have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 44% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 56% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance44%
Easily manages finances56%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Kigali
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Kigali
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 61,000 RWF | 92,000 RWF | 240,000 RWF |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 92,000 RWF | 150,000 RWF | 370,000 RWF |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 120,000 RWF | 180,000 RWF | 490,000 RWF |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 150,000 RWF | 240,000 RWF | 670,000 RWF |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 290,000 RWF | 730,000 RWF | 1.5M RWF |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 240,000 RWF | 370,000 RWF | 1M RWF |
House monthly rent cost
| 290,000 RWF | 730,000 RWF | 1.5M RWF |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 370,000 RWF | 920,000 RWF | 1.5M RWF |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Kigali ranges between 61,000 RWF and 240,000 RWF, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 92,000 RWF to 370,000 RWF. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 120,000 RWF and 490,000 RWF per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 150,000 RWF to 670,000 RWF. The average rent of a townhouse in Kigali is around 370,000 RWF while house rental costs can be as high as 730,000 RWF per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 370,000 RWF to 1.5M RWF per month.
Apartment and house prices in Kigali
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
3-bedroom apartment price
| 81M RWF | 120M RWF | 370M RWF |
Townhouse price
| 100M RWF | 240M RWF | 920M RWF |
| $82,000 | $190,000 | $710,000 |
House price
| 120M RWF | 730M RWF | 1,000M RWF |
| $95,000 | $570,000 | $820,000 |
Villa price
| 150M RWF | 810M RWF | 1,200M RWF |
| $110,000 | $640,000 | $950,000 |
The average price of a studio apartment in Kigali can range from 12M RWF to 37M RWF depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 15M RWF to 92M RWF. A villa can cost you 810M RWF on average with prices ranging from 150M RWF to 1,200M RWF.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Kigali will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 36 | x102 monthly income | 209 |
Property prices in Kigali can be x102 to x209 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x102 multiples of the average monthly salary in Kigali.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Kigali is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 21% to 42% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
29% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 1,100 RWF | 15,000 RWF | 150,000 RWF |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Kigali
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Kigali
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 2,300 RWF | 15,000 RWF | 100,000 RWF |
Internet and cable cost
| 3,300 RWF | 6,600 RWF | 8,800 RWF |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 2,700 RWF | 4,400 RWF | 13,000 RWF |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 15,000 RWF. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 3,300 RWF to 8,800 RWF with 6,600 RWF being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 4,400 RWF but can range between 2,700 RWF and 13,000 RWF depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Kigali is around 6.3%. This means that people pay 6.3% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.2% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Kigali
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Kigali
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 660 RWF | 1,300 RWF | 2,200 RWF |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Kigali is approximatly 1,300 RWF with meal cost ranging from 660 RWF to 2,200 RWF. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 2,300 RWF | 3,500 RWF | 7,000 RWF |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 2,300 RWF and 7,000 RWF with 3,500 RWF being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Kigali.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 4,700 RWF | 7,000 RWF | 28,000 RWF |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 4,700 RWF to 28,000 RWF with the average cost being 7,000 RWF for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Kigali.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
| 550 RWF | 880 RWF | 1,300 RWF |
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Kigali is around 880 RWF. Price ranges between 550 RWF and 1,300 RWF depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Kigali is 530 RWF. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 660 RWF and the minimum being 440 RWF depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 440 RWF on average with 330 RWF and 660 RWF being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
| 750 RWF | 980 RWF | 1,400 RWF |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Kigali is between 750 RWF and 1,400 RWF depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 980 RWF.
Pack of beef price
| 880 RWF | 1,300 RWF | 2,700 RWF |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 1,300 RWF. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Kigali costs around 490 RWF on average with prices rangeing between 360 RWF and 690 RWF depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 130 RWF to 330 RWF. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 310 RWF on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Kigali is around 29%. This means that students spend 29% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 20% to 35% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 11,000 RWF to 500,000 RWF with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
