Cost of Living Comparison Between Isiolo and Kilifi Cost of Living Comparison Between Isiolo and Kilifi

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $490 in Isiolo versus $424 in Kilifi.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $806 in Isiolo versus $762 in Kilifi.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,122 in Isiolo versus $1,100 in Kilifi.

Living in Isiolo is roughly 15% more expensive than in Kilifi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Isiolo 63% lower, Kilifi 68% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.37 KES 694

$2.36 KES 305

127.54%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.99 KES 3,874

$51.1 KES 6,607

-41.36%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.85 KES 498

$2.30 KES 297

67.39%

Cappuccino

$2.47 KES 319

$1.95 KES 252

26.67%

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

$0.26 KES 33.41

$0.73 KES 94.7

-64.38%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.22 KES 28.34

$0.79 KES 103

-72.15%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.27 KES 293

$1.97 KES 255

15.23%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.92 KES 377

Milk (1 liter)

$0.83 KES 107

$0.94 KES 121

-11.70%

White Bread (500g)

$0.41 KES 53.1

$0.76 KES 98.6

-46.05%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.59 KES 206

$1.97 KES 254

-19.29%

Eggs

$1.36 KES 175

$1.90 KES 246

-28.42%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.51 KES 1,488

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.62 KES 855

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.59 KES 722

Apples (1kg)

$3.06 KES 396

$2.25 KES 291

36.00%

Banana (1kg)

$1.07 KES 139

$0.83 KES 107

28.92%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.08 KES 268

$1.79 KES 231

16.20%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.00 KES 129

$0.66 KES 85.2

51.52%

Potato (1kg)

$1.07 KES 138

$0.67 KES 86.8

59.70%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 KES 151

$0.64 KES 82.6

82.81%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.68 KES 88.0

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.77 KES 99.0

$0.24 KES 31.09

220.83%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.15 KES 407

Wine (Bottle)

$11.81 KES 1,526

$12.93 KES 1,671

-8.66%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.19 KES 283

$1.92 KES 248

14.06%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.72 KES 352

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.79 KES 102

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$27.49 KES 3,551

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.53 KES 198

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.58 KES 204

$0.79 KES 102

100.00%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.84 KES 366

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 KES 188

$1.32 KES 171

9.85%

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

$22.1K KES 2.9M

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

$19.9K KES 2.6M

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

$34.77 KES 4,492

$15.71 KES 2,030

121.32%

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

$16.82 KES 2,173

$10.15 KES 1,311

65.71%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$40.05 KES 5,175

$25.59 KES 3,306

56.51%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$28.16 KES 3,638

Cinema Ticket

$6.26 KES 809

$7.94 KES 1,026

-21.16%

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

$202 KES 26.1K

$162 KES 20.9K

24.81%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,189 KES 1.1M

$4,978 KES 643.2K

64.51%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.58 KES 2,401

$9.44 KES 1,220

96.82%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.88 KES 3,085

$8.71 KES 1,126

174.17%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$64.9 KES 8,389

$15.26 KES 1,971

325.49%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$56.8 KES 7,333

$17.47 KES 2,257

224.90%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$174 KES 22.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$112 KES 14.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$270 KES 34.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$265 KES 34.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$777 KES 100.4K

$230 KES 29.8K

237.21%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

14.84

85.50%

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

Last update for Isiolo: July 20, 2026

Last update for Kilifi: July 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Isiolo pays 237% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $30.00 in Isiolo vs $51.0 in Kilifi. Groceries flip the comparison at $201 vs $101, 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

Isiolo vs Kilifi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Kilifi wins on cost – living expenses run 15% lower than in Isiolo. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Kilifi the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

Average pay runs 237% higher in Isiolo, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Supermarket bills run roughly 99% higher in Isiolo. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $490 per month in Isiolo versus $424 in Kilifi – a 15% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

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.

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.

Expats usually find Kilifi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 15% less than in Isiolo. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.