Cost of Living Comparison Between Kilifi and IsioloCost of Living Comparison Between Kilifi and Isiolo
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $434 in Kilifi versus $487 in Isiolo.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $768 in Kilifi versus $813 in Isiolo.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,102 in Kilifi versus $1,140 in Isiolo.
🙂Living in Kilifi costs roughly 11% less than in Isiolo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Kilifi68% lower, Isiolo64% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kilifi
Isiolo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.27KES 293
$5.54KES 715
-59.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.2KES 6,475
$30.53KES 3,940
64.33%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.38KES 308
$3.89KES 503
-38.82%
Cappuccino
$1.95KES 251
$2.39KES 309
-18.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79KES 102
$0.28KES 36.23
182.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81KES 104
$0.22KES 28.28
268.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.96KES 254
$2.38KES 307
-17.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.98KES 384
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kilifi
Isiolo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.87KES 113
$0.88KES 114
-1.14%
White Bread(500g)
$0.81KES 104
$0.42KES 53.8
92.86%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.90KES 246
$1.59KES 205
19.50%
Eggs
$1.89KES 244
$1.42KES 183
33.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$11.77KES 1,520
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$6.80KES 877
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$5.45KES 703
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.27KES 293
$3.19KES 411
-28.84%
Banana(1kg)
$0.87KES 113
$1.08KES 139
-19.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.75KES 226
$2.10KES 271
-16.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.66KES 84.7
$1.02KES 131
-35.29%
Potato(1kg)
$0.63KES 81.1
$1.08KES 139
-41.67%
Onion(1kg)
$0.60KES 77.1
$1.13KES 145
-46.90%
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.69KES 88.4
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.24KES 31.13
$0.80KES 104
-70.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$3.12KES 403
-
Wine(Bottle)
$11.49KES 1,483
$11.54KES 1,489
-0.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.97KES 254
$2.18KES 282
-9.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.72KES 351
-
🚌 Getting Around
Kilifi
Isiolo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.75KES 97.1
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.89KES 3,471
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.54KES 199
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.80KES 103
$1.53KES 197
-47.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$2.81KES 363
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.36KES 176
$1.40KES 180
-2.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$22.0KKES 2.8M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$20.2KKES 2.6M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kilifi
Isiolo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$15.69KES 2,026
$34.61KES 4,467
-54.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.29KES 1,328
$17.03KES 2,199
-39.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.10KES 3,239
$38.85KES 5,014
-35.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kilifi
Isiolo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$27.31KES 3,525
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.90KES 1,020
$6.17KES 797
28.04%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kilifi
Isiolo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$161KES 20.7K
$201KES 26.0K
-20.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,109KES 659.5K
$8,040KES 1.0M
-36.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kilifi
Isiolo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$9.50KES 1,226
$18.30KES 2,363
-48.09%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$8.66KES 1,117
$23.64KES 3,051
-63.37%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$15.32KES 1,977
$65.1KES 8,405
-76.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$17.73KES 2,288
$56.6KES 7,300
-68.65%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kilifi
Isiolo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$173KES 22.4K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$113KES 14.6K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$267KES 34.5K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$262KES 33.9K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kilifi
Isiolo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$236KES 30.4K
$782KES 100.9K
-69.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8
14.84
-46.09%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kilifi: April 26, 2026
Last update for Isiolo: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Isiolo pays 232% 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: $50.0 in Kilifi vs $31.00 in Isiolo. Groceries flip the comparison at $98.0 vs $204, 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
Which city is more expensive, Kilifi or Isiolo?
Kilifi wins on cost – living expenses run 12% 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.
Are salaries higher in Kilifi or Isiolo?
On paper, Isiolo earns 232% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
Are groceries more expensive in Kilifi or Isiolo?
Supermarket bills run roughly 109% higher in Isiolo. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Kilifi compared to Isiolo?
All in, you'll spend $434 per month in Kilifi versus $487 in Isiolo – a 12% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Kilifi or Isiolo?
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: Kilifi or Isiolo?
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 12% less than in Isiolo. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.