Cost of Living Comparison Between Kisii and Mombasa Cost of Living Comparison Between Kisii and Mombasa

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $64.5 in Kisii versus $618 in Mombasa.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $98.0 in Kisii versus $1,060 in Mombasa.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $132 in Kisii versus $1,502 in Mombasa.

Living in Kisii costs roughly 90% less than in Mombasa, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Kisii 95% lower, Mombasa 54% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.35 KES 304

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.18 KES 2,478

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.80 KES 1,137

Cappuccino

$1.36 KES 176

$3.18 KES 411

-57.23%

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

$1.30 KES 168

$0.48 KES 62.5

170.83%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 KES 61.7

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.79 KES 231

$1.96 KES 253

-8.67%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.26 KES 292

$2.82 KES 364

-19.86%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.82 KES 106

White Bread (500g)

$0.52 KES 66.7

$0.49 KES 63.9

6.12%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 KES 180

Eggs

$1.88 KES 243

$1.79 KES 231

5.03%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.71 KES 1,255

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.82 KES 752

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.22 KES 675

Apples (1kg)

$1.79 KES 231

Banana (1kg)

$0.91 KES 117

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 KES 197

Tomato (1kg)

$0.79 KES 102

Potato (1kg)

$0.68 KES 87.5

Onion (1kg)

$1.08 KES 139

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 KES 85.4

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.60 KES 78.0

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.30 KES 427

Wine (Bottle)

$7.95 KES 1,027

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.88 KES 243

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.77 KES 358

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.37 KES 48.22

$0.75 KES 96.4

-50.67%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$15.17 KES 1,961

$35.08 KES 4,533

-56.76%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.81 KES 104

$3.05 KES 394

-73.44%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.94 KES 251

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.58 KES 592

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.57 KES 203

$1.60 KES 206

-1.88%

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

$12.0K KES 1.5M

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

$11.8K KES 1.5M

-0.14%

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

$44.61 KES 5,765

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

$14.45 KES 1,867

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.55 KES 5,627

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$18.09 KES 2,337

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.19 KES 2,480

Cinema Ticket

$4.71 KES 609

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

$87.7 KES 11.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,406 KES 698.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.03 KES 1,684

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.80 KES 1,784

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$23.61 KES 3,050

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$45.93 KES 5,935

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$181 KES 23.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$118 KES 15.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$590 KES 76.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$462 KES 59.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,440 KES 702.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,820 KES 493.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$321 KES 41.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Kisii: July 11, 2026

Last update for Mombasa: July 14, 2026

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

Kisii vs Mombasa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Kisii wins on cost – living expenses run 859% lower than in Mombasa. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Kisii the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

You'd need roughly $96.8 in Kisii and $928 in Mombasa to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

All in, you'll spend $64.5 per month in Kisii versus $618 in Mombasa – a 859% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Supermarket bills run roughly 1231% higher in Mombasa. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Either city works on $800 a month, though Kisii 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 Kisii gentler on the wallet – expenses run 859% less than in Mombasa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.