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: $674 in Mombasa versus $145 in Bungoma.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,121 in Mombasa versus $293 in Bungoma.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,569 in Mombasa versus $441 in Bungoma.

Living in Mombasa is roughly 364% more expensive than in Bungoma, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Mombasa 51% lower, Bungoma 89% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.27 KES 294

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$23.05 KES 2,982

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.29 KES 1,332

Cappuccino

$3.69 KES 478

$5.40 KES 699

-31.67%

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

$1.01 KES 131

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.43 KES 55.0

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.37 KES 306

$1.57 KES 203

50.96%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.27 KES 423

$1.73 KES 224

89.02%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.94 KES 122

White Bread (500g)

$0.50 KES 64.6

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.56 KES 202

Eggs

$1.75 KES 227

$1.23 KES 159

42.28%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.04 KES 1,429

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.50 KES 712

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.31 KES 687

Apples (1kg)

$2.17 KES 281

$3.02 KES 391

-28.15%

Banana (1kg)

$1.19 KES 154

$0.91 KES 117

30.77%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.85 KES 239

Tomato (1kg)

$0.64 KES 82.4

Potato (1kg)

$0.67 KES 87.1

Onion (1kg)

$1.05 KES 136

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.56 KES 72.8

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.43 KES 55.3

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.55 KES 589

Wine (Bottle)

$7.52 KES 973

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.92 KES 248

$1.56 KES 201

23.08%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.81 KES 364

$1.74 KES 225

61.49%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.80 KES 103

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$38.16 KES 4,938

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.12 KES 404

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.79 KES 232

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.73 KES 612

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.55 KES 200

$1.38 KES 178

12.32%

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)

$11.7K KES 1.5M

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

$56.0 KES 7,246

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

$13.27 KES 1,717

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$33.64 KES 4,352

$29.21 KES 3,780

15.17%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$18.32 KES 2,371

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.23 KES 2,488

Cinema Ticket

$10.61 KES 1,373

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

$87.8 KES 11.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,364 KES 694.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.27 KES 1,717

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.59 KES 1,758

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$23.09 KES 2,987

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.00 KES 5,953

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$230 KES 29.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$154 KES 20.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$551 KES 71.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$400 KES 51.7K

$170 KES 21.9K

135.80%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,493 KES 710.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,917 KES 506.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$315 KES 40.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Mombasa: 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

Mombasa vs Bungoma: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Bungoma is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear. The 364% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,010 in Mombasa 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 375% higher in Mombasa. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $674 per month in Mombasa versus $145 in Bungoma – a 364% 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, 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 364% less than in Mombasa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.