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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $651 in Kilifi versus $527 in Isiolo.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,058 in Kilifi versus $876 in Isiolo.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,466 in Kilifi versus $1,226 in Isiolo.

Living in Kilifi is roughly 24% more expensive than in Isiolo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Kilifi 52% lower, Isiolo 62% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.97 KES 254

$5.55 KES 718

-64.50%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.56 KES 6,413

$34.56 KES 4,472

43.40%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.31 KES 299

$6.30 KES 816

-63.33%

Cappuccino

$1.88 KES 243

$2.80 KES 363

-32.86%

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

$0.81 KES 104

$0.63 KES 81.8

28.57%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 KES 101

$0.53 KES 67.9

47.17%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.52 KES 197

$2.29 KES 296

-33.62%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.68 KES 347

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 KES 136

$0.85 KES 110

23.53%

White Bread (500g)

$0.81 KES 105

$0.56 KES 73.0

44.64%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.08 KES 270

$1.84 KES 239

13.04%

Eggs

$1.95 KES 252

$1.65 KES 213

18.18%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.66 KES 1,380

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.62 KES 857

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.62 KES 986

$6.33 KES 819

20.38%

Apples (1kg)

$2.31 KES 299

$3.16 KES 409

-26.90%

Banana (1kg)

$0.72 KES 93.3

$0.99 KES 128

-27.27%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.80 KES 233

$1.97 KES 255

-8.63%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.44 KES 57.4

$1.02 KES 131

-56.86%

Potato (1kg)

$0.74 KES 95.6

$1.00 KES 130

-26.00%

Onion (1kg)

$0.75 KES 96.5

$0.95 KES 123

-21.05%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 KES 84.9

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.24 KES 31.08

$0.72 KES 93.3

-66.67%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.43 KES 444

Wine (Bottle)

$12.72 KES 1,646

$11.57 KES 1,498

9.94%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.79 KES 231

$2.29 KES 297

-21.83%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.81 KES 364

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.74 KES 95.7

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$26.87 KES 3,476

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.53 KES 198

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.58 KES 204

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.88 KES 373

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.37 KES 177

$1.39 KES 180

-1.44%

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

$18.7K KES 2.4M

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

$19.3K KES 2.5M

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

$15.41 KES 1,994

$55.7 KES 7,213

-72.35%

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

$10.13 KES 1,310

$15.51 KES 2,007

-34.69%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.26 KES 3,269

$34.29 KES 4,437

-26.33%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$28.09 KES 3,635

Cinema Ticket

$7.89 KES 1,021

$7.87 KES 1,018

0.25%

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

$162 KES 20.9K

$240 KES 31.1K

-32.78%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,016 KES 649.1K

$11.0K KES 1.4M

-54.31%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$9.49 KES 1,228

$26.64 KES 3,447

-64.38%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$8.79 KES 1,138

$25.38 KES 3,285

-65.37%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$15.20 KES 1,966

$63.1 KES 8,167

-75.92%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$17.56 KES 2,272

$59.8 KES 7,736

-70.63%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$332 KES 43.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$309 KES 40.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$272 KES 35.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$555 KES 71.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$233 KES 30.1K

$760 KES 98.3K

-69.38%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

14.71

-45.62%

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

Last update for Kilifi: August 15, 2026

Last update for Isiolo: August 18, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Isiolo pays 227% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $50.0 in Kilifi vs $35.00 in Isiolo. Groceries flip the comparison at $124 vs $203, 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

Kilifi vs Isiolo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Isiolo wins on cost – living expenses run 24% lower than in Kilifi. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Isiolo the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

On paper, salaries run 227% lower in Isiolo. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.

Shoppers in Kilifi pay roughly 64% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.

All in, you'll spend $651 per month in Kilifi versus $527 in Isiolo – a 24% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $800 a month, though Isiolo 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 Isiolo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 24% less than in Kilifi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.