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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.33 KES 301

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.28 KES 2,488

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.94 KES 1,154

Cappuccino

$3.25 KES 419

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

$0.48 KES 61.7

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.45 KES 57.8

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.97 KES 255

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.91 KES 376

Milk (1 liter)

$0.83 KES 106

White Bread (500g)

$0.54 KES 69.8

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.41 KES 182

Eggs

$1.82 KES 235

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.91 KES 1,279

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.87 KES 757

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.24 KES 676

Apples (1kg)

$1.82 KES 235

Banana (1kg)

$0.87 KES 112

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 KES 196

Tomato (1kg)

$0.76 KES 98.0

Potato (1kg)

$0.66 KES 85.7

Onion (1kg)

$1.07 KES 138

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.63 KES 80.9

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.62 KES 79.8

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.32 KES 429

Wine (Bottle)

$7.79 KES 1,005

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.95 KES 252

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.77 KES 358

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.73 KES 94.4

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$34.27 KES 4,423

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 KES 408

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.90 KES 245

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.55 KES 587

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.38 KES 178

$1.63 KES 211

-15.34%

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

$11.9K KES 1.5M

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

$11.8K KES 1.5M

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

$44.31 KES 5,720

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

$14.23 KES 1,837

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$44.18 KES 5,702

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$18.34 KES 2,367

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.55 KES 2,523

Cinema Ticket

$4.59 KES 592

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

$85.7 KES 11.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,452 KES 703.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.12 KES 1,693

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.86 KES 1,789

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$23.60 KES 3,046

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.61 KES 6,016

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$179 KES 23.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$114 KES 14.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$597 KES 77.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$455 KES 58.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,498 KES 709.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,826 KES 493.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$319 KES 41.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Busia: April 26, 2026

Last update for Mombasa: April 27, 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.