Cost of Living Comparison Between Mombasa and Bungoma Cost of Living Comparison Between Mombasa and Bungoma

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $614 in Mombasa versus $260 in Bungoma.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,068 in Mombasa versus $375 in Bungoma.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,523 in Mombasa versus $490 in Bungoma.

Living in Mombasa is roughly 136% more expensive than Bungoma, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Mombasa 54% lower, Bungoma 81% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.33 KES 301

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.28 KES 2,488

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.94 KES 1,154

Cappuccino

$3.25 KES 419

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

$0.48 KES 61.7

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.45 KES 57.8

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.97 KES 255

$1.57 KES 203

25.48%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.91 KES 376

$1.68 KES 216

73.21%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.83 KES 106

$1.04 KES 134

-20.19%

White Bread (500g)

$0.54 KES 69.8

$0.48 KES 62.6

12.50%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.41 KES 182

$1.33 KES 172

6.02%

Eggs

$1.82 KES 235

$1.30 KES 167

40.00%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.91 KES 1,279

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.87 KES 757

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.24 KES 676

$3.66 KES 473

43.17%

Apples (1kg)

$1.82 KES 235

$3.12 KES 402

-41.67%

Banana (1kg)

$0.87 KES 112

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 KES 196

Tomato (1kg)

$0.76 KES 98.0

Potato (1kg)

$0.66 KES 85.7

Onion (1kg)

$1.07 KES 138

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.63 KES 80.9

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.62 KES 79.8

$1.15 KES 148

-46.09%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.32 KES 429

Wine (Bottle)

$7.79 KES 1,005

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.95 KES 252

$1.58 KES 204

23.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.77 KES 358

$1.69 KES 218

63.91%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.73 KES 94.4

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$34.27 KES 4,423

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 KES 408

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.90 KES 245

$1.57 KES 203

21.02%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.55 KES 587

$0.75 KES 96.9

506.67%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.63 KES 211

$1.42 KES 184

14.79%

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

$11.9K KES 1.5M

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

$11.8K KES 1.5M

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

$44.31 KES 5,720

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

$14.23 KES 1,837

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$44.18 KES 5,702

$29.68 KES 3,831

48.85%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$18.34 KES 2,367

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.55 KES 2,523

$19.26 KES 2,486

1.51%

Cinema Ticket

$4.59 KES 592

$3.82 KES 493

20.16%

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

$85.7 KES 11.1K

$61.7 KES 7,957

39.06%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,452 KES 703.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.12 KES 1,693

$11.84 KES 1,528

10.81%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.86 KES 1,789

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$23.60 KES 3,046

$38.59 KES 4,980

-38.84%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.61 KES 6,016

$19.00 KES 2,452

145.32%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$179 KES 23.1K

$116 KES 15.0K

53.95%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$114 KES 14.7K

$92.7 KES 12.0K

22.74%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$597 KES 77.0K

$270 KES 34.8K

121.33%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$455 KES 58.8K

$147 KES 19.0K

209.74%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,498 KES 709.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,826 KES 493.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$319 KES 41.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Mombasa: April 27, 2026

Last update for Bungoma: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $179 in Mombasa and $116 in Bungoma. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

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

Mombasa vs Bungoma: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Bungoma is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around, Clothing & Footwear. The 136% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $921 in Mombasa and $390 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.

Rent for a central apartment: $179 in Mombasa versus $116 in Bungoma. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Supermarket bills run roughly 120% higher in Mombasa. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Childcare runs $85.7 in Mombasa versus $61.7 in Bungoma. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.

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, Mombasa 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 136% less than in Mombasa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.