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: $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: Kilifi 68% lower, Isiolo 64% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kilifi
Isiolo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.27 KES 293
$5.54 KES 715
-59.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.2 KES 6,475
$30.53 KES 3,940
64.33%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$2.38 KES 308
$3.89 KES 503
-38.82%
Cappuccino
$1.95 KES 251
$2.39 KES 309
-18.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79 KES 102
$0.28 KES 36.23
182.14%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81 KES 104
$0.22 KES 28.28
268.18%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.96 KES 254
$2.38 KES 307
-17.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.98 KES 384
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kilifi
Isiolo
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.87 KES 113
$0.88 KES 114
-1.14%
White Bread (500g)
$0.81 KES 104
$0.42 KES 53.8
92.86%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.90 KES 246
$1.59 KES 205
19.50%
Eggs
$1.89 KES 244
$1.42 KES 183
33.10%
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$11.77 KES 1,520
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
-
$6.80 KES 877
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
-
$5.45 KES 703
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.27 KES 293
$3.19 KES 411
-28.84%
Banana (1kg)
$0.87 KES 113
$1.08 KES 139
-19.44%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.75 KES 226
$2.10 KES 271
-16.67%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.66 KES 84.7
$1.02 KES 131
-35.29%
Potato (1kg)
$0.63 KES 81.1
$1.08 KES 139
-41.67%
Onion (1kg)
$0.60 KES 77.1
$1.13 KES 145
-46.90%
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$0.69 KES 88.4
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.24 KES 31.13
$0.80 KES 104
-70.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
-
$3.12 KES 403
-
Wine (Bottle)
$11.49 KES 1,483
$11.54 KES 1,489
-0.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.97 KES 254
$2.18 KES 282
-9.63%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.72 KES 351
-
🚌 Getting Around
Kilifi
Isiolo
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.75 KES 97.1
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$26.89 KES 3,471
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$1.54 KES 199
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.80 KES 103
$1.53 KES 197
-47.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$2.81 KES 363
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.36 KES 176
$1.40 KES 180
-2.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$22.0K KES 2.8M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$20.2K KES 2.6M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kilifi
Isiolo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$15.69 KES 2,026
$34.61 KES 4,467
-54.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.29 KES 1,328
$17.03 KES 2,199
-39.58%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.10 KES 3,239
$38.85 KES 5,014
-35.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kilifi
Isiolo
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$27.31 KES 3,525
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.90 KES 1,020
$6.17 KES 797
28.04%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kilifi
Isiolo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$161 KES 20.7K
$201 KES 26.0K
-20.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,109 KES 659.5K
$8,040 KES 1.0M
-36.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kilifi
Isiolo
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$9.50 KES 1,226
$18.30 KES 2,363
-48.09%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$8.66 KES 1,117
$23.64 KES 3,051
-63.37%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$15.32 KES 1,977
$65.1 KES 8,405
-76.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$17.73 KES 2,288
$56.6 KES 7,300
-68.65%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kilifi
Isiolo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$173 KES 22.4K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$113 KES 14.6K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$267 KES 34.5K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$262 KES 33.9K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kilifi
Isiolo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$236 KES 30.4K
$782 KES 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.

Kilifi vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities