Compare countries · Kenya vs Rwanda
Kenya vs Rwanda
Across 10 comparable indicators: Kenya leads on 5, Rwanda on 5. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Kenya cheaper than Rwanda?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Kenya at 28.9 and Rwanda at 25.0. Rwanda is about 13% cheaper overall.
Is Kenya or Rwanda safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Kenya scores 2.45 and Rwanda scores 2.20. Rwanda ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Kenya or Rwanda?
On the UN Human Development Index, Kenya scores 0.628 and Rwanda scores 0.578. Kenya scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Kenya compared to Rwanda?
GNI per capita runs $2,200 in Kenya against $1,150 in Rwanda; people live 63.8 years on average against 68.0. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Kenya
28.9
Better than 83% of countries
Rwanda
25.0
Better than 94% of countries
Rwanda: 13% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Kenya
7.8
Better than 89% of countries
Rwanda
12.4
Better than 58% of countries
Kenya: 37% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Kenya
2.45
Worse than 81% of countries
Rwanda
2.20
Worse than 70% of countries
Rwanda: more peaceful (2.20 vs 2.45).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Kenya
44.9
Worse than 75% of countries
Rwanda
73.7
Better than 85% of countries
Rwanda: higher perceived safety (73.7 vs 44.9).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Kenya
0.628
Worse than 74% of countries
Rwanda
0.578
Worse than 82% of countries
Kenya: higher human development (0.628 vs 0.578).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Kenya
$7,016
Worse than 77% of countries
Rwanda
$4,164
Worse than 87% of countries
Kenya: 68% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Kenya
63.8 yrs
Worse than 91% of countries
Rwanda
68.0 yrs
Worse than 75% of countries
Rwanda: 4.2 years longer on average.
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Kenya
16 Mbps
Worse than 97% of countries
Rwanda
43 Mbps
Worse than 78% of countries
Rwanda: 170% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Kenya
51/100
Worse than 59% of countries
Rwanda
40/100
Worse than 78% of countries
Kenya: freer press (51 vs 40 of 100).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Kenya
593
Better than 79% of countries
Rwanda
417
Worse than 89% of countries
Kenya: stronger English proficiency (593 vs 417).
Not comparable for this pair
- Healthcare index: Numbeo doesn't publish a healthcare index for one of these countries.
- Happiness: The World Happiness Report doesn't cover one of these countries.
- Climate pleasantness: Numbeo doesn't publish a climate index for one of these countries.
Deciding between Kenya and Rwanda for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Kenya profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Rwanda profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.