Cost of Living Comparison Between Homa Bay and Malindi Cost of Living Comparison Between Homa Bay and Malindi

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $57.9 per month in Homa Bay vs $350 in Malindi, rent included.

A couple spends around $171 per month in Homa Bay vs $573 in Malindi, rent included.

A family of three spends $284 per month in Homa Bay vs $796 in Malindi, rent included.

Homa Bay is about 83% cheaper than Malindi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Homa Bay and Malindi are more affordable than the global median – Homa Bay 96% lower, Malindi 74% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.14 KES 277

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$37.78 KES 4,882

$31.23 KES 4,035

20.97%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.60 KES 1,369

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

$1.59 KES 205

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.97 KES 125

$0.90 KES 117

7.78%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.53 KES 327

$3.50 KES 452

-27.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.12 KES 662

$3.55 KES 458

44.23%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.98 KES 127

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.21 KES 156

Eggs

$2.99 KES 387

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.40 KES 1,473

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.20 KES 801

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.94 KES 638

Apples (1kg)

$3.16 KES 408

Banana (1kg)

$0.78 KES 101

Oranges (1kg)

$2.63 KES 340

Tomato (1kg)

$0.72 KES 93.3

Potato (1kg)

$0.75 KES 96.6

Onion (1kg)

$0.71 KES 92.4

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 KES 66.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.42 KES 184

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

$77.1 KES 9,959

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.93 KES 3,997

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.39 KES 4,961

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$386 KES 49.9K

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

Last update for Homa Bay: April 27, 2026

Last update for Malindi: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Homa Bay versus $31.00 in Malindi. Use this as a proxy for overall food spending across the two cities.

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

Homa Bay vs Malindi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Malindi is pricier by about 505%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $86.9 per month in Homa Bay and $525 in Malindi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $57.9 in Homa Bay and $350 in Malindi. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Homa Bay and $31.00 in Malindi. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $57.9 in Homa Bay and $350 in Malindi, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Homa Bay – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Homa Bay. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Malindi makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.