Cost of Living Comparison Between Eldoret and KilifiCost of Living Comparison Between Eldoret and Kilifi
Monthly Cost of Living
😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $539 in Eldoret versus $434 in Kilifi.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $940 in Eldoret versus $768 in Kilifi.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,340 in Eldoret versus $1,102 in Kilifi.
😐Living in Eldoret is roughly 24% more expensive than Kilifi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Eldoret60% lower, Kilifi68% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Eldoret
Kilifi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.54KES 715
$2.27KES 293
144.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.10KES 4,917
$50.2KES 6,475
-24.06%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.95KES 898
$2.38KES 308
192.02%
Cappuccino
$2.44KES 315
$1.95KES 251
25.13%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74KES 95.7
$0.79KES 102
-6.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.54KES 69.5
$0.81KES 104
-33.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.27KES 293
$1.96KES 254
15.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.85KES 368
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Eldoret
Kilifi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.70KES 90.4
$0.87KES 113
-19.54%
White Bread(500g)
$0.48KES 61.8
$0.81KES 104
-40.74%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.24KES 160
$1.90KES 246
-34.74%
Eggs
$1.64KES 212
$1.89KES 244
-13.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.97KES 512
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.64KES 470
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.17KES 538
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$3.15KES 407
$2.27KES 293
38.77%
Banana(1kg)
$0.89KES 114
$0.87KES 113
2.30%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.64KES 211
$1.75KES 226
-6.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.04KES 135
$0.66KES 84.7
57.58%
Potato(1kg)
$0.56KES 72.4
$0.63KES 81.1
-11.11%
Onion(1kg)
$0.89KES 115
$0.60KES 77.1
48.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.65KES 84.2
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.64KES 82.3
$0.24KES 31.13
166.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.17KES 409
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$5.94KES 766
$11.49KES 1,483
-48.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.69KES 218
$1.97KES 254
-14.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57KES 203
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Eldoret
Kilifi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.37KES 177
$0.75KES 97.1
82.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$26.89KES 3,471
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.58KES 203
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.52KES 196
$0.80KES 103
90.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.95KES 381
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.53KES 198
$1.36KES 176
12.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.6KKES 2.8M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.9KKES 2.6M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Eldoret
Kilifi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$33.93KES 4,380
$15.69KES 2,026
116.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.66KES 2,150
$10.29KES 1,328
61.90%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$38.81KES 5,009
$25.10KES 3,239
54.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Eldoret
Kilifi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.19KES 4,929
$27.31KES 3,525
39.84%
Cinema Ticket
$5.15KES 664
$7.90KES 1,020
-34.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Eldoret
Kilifi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$65.5KES 8,450
$161KES 20.7K
-59.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,025KES 1.0M
$5,109KES 659.5K
57.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Eldoret
Kilifi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$11.66KES 1,504
$9.50KES 1,226
22.74%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.97KES 3,094
$8.66KES 1,117
176.79%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$19.57KES 2,526
$15.32KES 1,977
27.74%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$34.63KES 4,469
$17.73KES 2,288
95.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Eldoret
Kilifi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$91.6KES 11.8K
$173KES 22.4K
-47.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$90.6KES 11.7K
$113KES 14.6K
-19.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$267KES 34.5K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$268KES 34.6K
$262KES 33.9K
2.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$627KES 80.9K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Eldoret
Kilifi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$236KES 30.4K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12
8
50.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Eldoret: April 27, 2026
Last update for Kilifi: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $91.6 in Eldoret and $173 in Kilifi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $38.00 in Eldoret vs $50.0 in Kilifi. Groceries flip the comparison at $136 vs $98.0, with Kilifi cheaper for home cooking.
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
Eldoret vs Kilifi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Eldoret or Kilifi?
Kilifi wins on cost – living expenses run 24% lower than in Eldoret. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Kilifi the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Eldoret vs Kilifi?
You'd need roughly $809 in Eldoret and $651 in Kilifi to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Eldoret vs Kilifi?
Rent for a central apartment: $91.6 in Eldoret versus $173 in Kilifi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Eldoret or Kilifi?
Supermarket bills run roughly 39% higher in Eldoret. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Eldoret compared to Kilifi?
All in, you'll spend $539 per month in Eldoret versus $434 in Kilifi – a 24% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Eldoret or Kilifi?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Kilifi gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Eldoret or Kilifi?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Kilifi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 24% less than in Eldoret. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.