Cost of Living Comparison Between Busia and Mombasa Cost of Living Comparison Between Busia and Mombasa

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.66 KES 345

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$22.79 KES 2,949

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.48 KES 1,356

Cappuccino

$2.47 KES 320

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.71 KES 92.1

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.42 KES 54.6

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.35 KES 304

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.17 KES 410

Milk (1 liter)

$0.94 KES 122

White Bread (500g)

$0.50 KES 65.3

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.51 KES 196

Eggs

$1.83 KES 237

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.14 KES 1,312

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.69 KES 736

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.18 KES 670

Apples (1kg)

$1.86 KES 241

Banana (1kg)

$0.85 KES 110

Oranges (1kg)

$1.79 KES 232

Tomato (1kg)

$0.70 KES 90.7

Potato (1kg)

$0.67 KES 86.3

Onion (1kg)

$1.04 KES 135

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.61 KES 78.9

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 KES 63.8

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.95 KES 511

Wine (Bottle)

$7.80 KES 1,009

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.88 KES 243

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.76 KES 357

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.79 KES 102

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$38.72 KES 5,011

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.12 KES 403

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.70 KES 221

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.68 KES 606

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.32 KES 171

$1.52 KES 197

-13.16%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$12.2K KES 1.6M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$12.0K KES 1.5M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$55.6 KES 7,191

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$13.37 KES 1,730

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$33.66 KES 4,355

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$18.10 KES 2,343

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.97 KES 2,454

Cinema Ticket

$10.78 KES 1,394

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$87.8 KES 11.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,485 KES 709.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.38 KES 1,731

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.60 KES 1,760

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$22.81 KES 2,951

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$45.84 KES 5,931

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$192 KES 24.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$154 KES 19.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$480 KES 62.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$309 KES 40.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,467 KES 707.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,798 KES 491.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$319 KES 41.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Busia: August 17, 2026

Last update for Mombasa: August 18, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Busia vs Mombasa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For families, Busia is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Mombasa, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.

It comes down to priorities – Busia wins on affordability, Mombasa on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.