Moving to Rwanda from Pennsylvania

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Pennsylvania to Rwanda. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Kigali averages 80°F vs 61°F in Harrisburg, making it significantly warmer.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Rwanda compared to Pennsylvania.

How's the healthcare?

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

share of adults with obesity

PA
34.4%
RW
5.8%

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

Will I have good infrastructure?

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

share of households with internet

PA
88.8%
RW
30.0%

Pennsylvania 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

PA
3.7%
RW
14.9%
GDP per capita Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024

a broad measure of economic output per person

PA
$61,506
RW
$3,000

Pennsylvania 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

PA
76.8 yrs
RW
65.8 yrs

Pennsylvania 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.

Harrisburg Rain: 43.6 in/yr (1108 mm)
61° / 42°F

Avg. annual high / low

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

Avg. annual high / low

Months Harrisburg Kigali
Jan–Mar 42°/25°F (5°/-4°C) 80°/60°F (27°/16°C)
Apr–Jun 71°/50°F (22°/10°C) 79°/61°F (26°/16°C)
Jul–Sep 81°/61°F (27°/16°C) 82°/60°F (28°/16°C)
Oct–Dec 52°/34°F (11°/1°C) 80°/60°F (27°/16°C)
View all months
Month Harrisburg Kigali
Jan 36°/21°F (2.5°/-5.9°C) 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.6°C)
Feb 40°/23°F (4.4°/-5.1°C) 81°/60°F (27.4°/15.8°C)
Mar 49°/30°F (9.3°/-0.9°C) 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.7°C)
Apr 61°/40°F (16.1°/4.6°C) 79°/61°F (26.2°/16.1°C)
May 72°/50°F (22.2°/10.1°C) 79°/61°F (25.9°/16.2°C)
Jun 81°/60°F (27.2°/15.5°C) 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.3°C)
Jul 85°/64°F (29.2°/17.8°C) 81°/59°F (27.1°/15.0°C)
Aug 83°/63°F (28.2°/17.0°C) 82°/61°F (28.0°/16.0°C)
Sep 75°/55°F (23.8°/12.8°C) 83°/61°F (28.2°/16.0°C)
Oct 63°/42°F (17.4°/5.6°C) 81°/61°F (27.2°/15.9°C)
Nov 52°/35°F (11.1°/1.6°C) 79°/60°F (26.1°/15.5°C)
Dec 40°/26°F (4.4°/-3.2°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 Pennsylvania and Rwanda are what actually decide it long-term.

How is healthcare in Rwanda compared to Pennsylvania?

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

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

The average high temperature in Kigali is 80°F, compared to 61°F in Harrisburg. Kigali receives around 37.4 in of rainfall per year, while Harrisburg gets 43.6 in.

What language do they speak in Rwanda?

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

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At a Glance

RW
Population 12,702,379 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