Moving to Rwanda from Illinois

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Illinois to Rwanda? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Illinois to Rwanda. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Kigali averages 80°F vs 63°F in Springfield, making it significantly warmer.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Rwanda compared to Illinois.

How's the healthcare?

Adult obesity rate Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), 2022

share of adults with obesity

IL
34.6%
RW
5.8%

Rwanda performs significantly better than Illinois across all health & wellbeing metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Internet access US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), 2023

share of households with internet

IL
89.6%
RW
30.0%

Illinois performs better than Rwanda across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

IL
4.8%
RW
14.9%
GDP per capita Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024

a broad measure of economic output per person

IL
$70,691
RW
$3,000

Illinois performs better than Rwanda across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy OECD Regional Demography, 2022

average years of life at birth

IL
76.8 yrs
RW
65.8 yrs

Illinois performs better than Rwanda across all family life metrics.

Data: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), OECD Regional Demography, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey)

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Springfield Rain: 37.4 in/yr (951 mm)
63° / 43°F

Avg. annual high / low

Kigali Rain: 37.4 in/yr (951 mm)
80° / 60°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Springfield Kigali
Jan–Mar 42°/25°F (6°/-4°C) 80°/60°F (27°/16°C)
Apr–Jun 74°/52°F (23°/11°C) 79°/61°F (26°/16°C)
Jul–Sep 83°/61°F (29°/16°C) 82°/60°F (28°/16°C)
Oct–Dec 52°/33°F (11°/1°C) 80°/60°F (27°/16°C)
View all months
Month Springfield Kigali
Jan 35°/19°F (1.6°/-7.4°C) 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.6°C)
Feb 40°/23°F (4.4°/-5.2°C) 81°/60°F (27.4°/15.8°C)
Mar 52°/32°F (11.2°/0.1°C) 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.7°C)
Apr 65°/42°F (18.1°/5.8°C) 79°/61°F (26.2°/16.1°C)
May 75°/53°F (23.8°/11.4°C) 79°/61°F (25.9°/16.2°C)
Jun 83°/62°F (28.4°/16.6°C) 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.3°C)
Jul 86°/65°F (30.1°/18.6°C) 81°/59°F (27.1°/15.0°C)
Aug 85°/64°F (29.4°/17.6°C) 82°/61°F (28.0°/16.0°C)
Sep 79°/55°F (26.1°/12.6°C) 83°/61°F (28.2°/16.0°C)
Oct 66°/44°F (19.1°/6.6°C) 81°/61°F (27.2°/15.9°C)
Nov 52°/34°F (11.3°/1.1°C) 79°/60°F (26.1°/15.5°C)
Dec 38°/22°F (3.5°/-5.3°C) 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.6°C)

Data: National Weather Service National Weather Service, Rwanda Meteorology Agency Rwanda Meteorology Agency

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between United States and Rwanda. To live, work, or study long-term in Rwanda, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Rwanda's immigration authority.

United States passport

United States passport holder visiting Rwanda

Visa on Arrival
United States passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Rwanda.
Rwanda passport

Rwanda passport holder visiting United States

Visa Required
Rwanda passport holders need a visa to enter United States.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Rwanda?

From major Rwanda cities the network usually holds up. Visa rules, your employer's stance on overseas employees, and tax residency in Illinois and Rwanda are what actually decide it long-term.

How is healthcare in Rwanda compared to Illinois?

Rwanda performs significantly better than Illinois across all health & wellbeing metrics.

What's the weather like in Rwanda compared to Illinois?

The average high temperature in Kigali is 80°F, compared to 63°F in Springfield. Kigali receives around 37.4 in of rainfall per year, while Springfield gets 37.4 in.

What language do they speak in Rwanda?

The official languages in Rwanda are English, French and Kinyarwanda. In Illinois, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

RW
Population 12,830,632 13,173,730
Currency United States Dollar ($) Rwandan Franc (RWF)
Languages English English, French, Kinyarwanda
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +1 +250
Time zones 11 1
Emergency number 911 112