Cost of Living Comparison Between Malindi and Bungoma Cost of Living Comparison Between Malindi and Bungoma

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $499 in Malindi versus $145 in Bungoma.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $795 in Malindi versus $293 in Bungoma.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,091 in Malindi versus $441 in Bungoma.

Living in Malindi is roughly 244% more expensive than in Bungoma, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Malindi 64% lower, Bungoma 89% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 KES 269

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$23.48 KES 3,038

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.44 KES 1,350

Cappuccino

$3.70 KES 479

$5.40 KES 699

-31.48%

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

$0.94 KES 122

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.42 KES 54.9

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.29 KES 297

$1.57 KES 203

45.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.22 KES 417

$1.73 KES 224

86.13%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.90 KES 116

White Bread (500g)

$0.52 KES 67.5

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.27 KES 165

Eggs

$1.73 KES 224

$1.23 KES 159

40.65%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.15 KES 1,443

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.49 KES 710

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.97 KES 643

Apples (1kg)

$2.08 KES 270

$3.02 KES 391

-31.13%

Banana (1kg)

$0.75 KES 97.0

$0.91 KES 117

-17.58%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.76 KES 228

Tomato (1kg)

$0.70 KES 90.4

Potato (1kg)

$0.70 KES 91.1

Onion (1kg)

$0.72 KES 93.3

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.61 KES 78.6

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.43 KES 55.5

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.67 KES 605

Wine (Bottle)

$7.68 KES 994

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.03 KES 262

$1.56 KES 201

30.13%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.97 KES 384

$1.74 KES 225

70.69%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.01 KES 390

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.76 KES 228

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.71 KES 610

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.39 KES 179

$1.38 KES 178

0.72%

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

$12.1K KES 1.6M

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

$12.0K KES 1.6M

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

$55.7 KES 7,203

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

$13.01 KES 1,683

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.64 KES 3,965

$29.21 KES 3,780

4.90%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.93 KES 5,038

Cinema Ticket

$10.79 KES 1,397

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

$85.9 KES 11.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,448 KES 704.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$12.91 KES 1,670

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.86 KES 1,793

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$22.72 KES 2,940

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.60 KES 6,030

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$392 KES 50.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$170 KES 21.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Malindi: September 13, 2026

Last update for Bungoma: September 13, 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

Malindi vs Bungoma: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Bungoma is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear. The 244% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $749 in Malindi and $218 in Bungoma 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.

Supermarket bills run roughly 363% higher in Malindi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $499 per month in Malindi versus $145 in Bungoma – a 244% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Bungoma 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.

Safety-wise, Malindi and Bungoma are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Bungoma gentler on the wallet – expenses run 244% less than in Malindi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.