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 $57.2 per month in Homa Bay vs $348 in Malindi, rent included.

A couple spends around $172 per month in Homa Bay vs $571 in Malindi, rent included.

A family of three spends $287 per month in Homa Bay vs $794 in Malindi, rent included.

Homa Bay is about 84% 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

$2.12 KES 274

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$38.34 KES 4,972

$30.55 KES 3,962

25.50%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.75 KES 1,394

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

$1.60 KES 207

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.97 KES 126

$0.91 KES 119

6.59%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.44 KES 316

$3.57 KES 463

-31.65%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.09 KES 660

$3.56 KES 461

42.98%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.97 KES 126

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.27 KES 164

Eggs

$2.92 KES 379

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.84 KES 1,535

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.05 KES 785

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.11 KES 662

Apples (1kg)

$3.03 KES 393

Banana (1kg)

$0.78 KES 101

Oranges (1kg)

$2.67 KES 347

Tomato (1kg)

$0.67 KES 87.3

Potato (1kg)

$0.75 KES 97.4

Onion (1kg)

$0.70 KES 91.0

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.48 KES 62.0

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.36 KES 176

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

$76.8 KES 9,957

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.80 KES 3,993

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.73 KES 5,021

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$392 KES 50.8K

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

Last update for Homa Bay: June 9, 2026

Last update for Malindi: June 7, 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 509%, 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 $85.8 per month in Homa Bay and $522 in Malindi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $57.2 in Homa Bay and $348 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 $57.2 in Homa Bay and $348 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.