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: $619 in Mombasa versus $253 in Bungoma.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,079 in Mombasa versus $373 in Bungoma.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,539 in Mombasa versus $493 in Bungoma.

Living in Mombasa is roughly 144% more expensive than in Bungoma, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Mombasa 53% lower, Bungoma 81% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.34 KES 302

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.58 KES 2,531

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.87 KES 1,146

Cappuccino

$3.30 KES 426

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

$0.52 KES 66.8

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 KES 61.5

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.87 KES 242

$1.58 KES 204

18.35%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.89 KES 373

$1.75 KES 226

65.14%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.82 KES 105

$1.04 KES 134

-21.15%

White Bread (500g)

$0.54 KES 70.3

$0.51 KES 66.3

5.88%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.44 KES 186

$1.29 KES 166

11.63%

Eggs

$1.75 KES 226

$1.31 KES 169

33.59%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.05 KES 1,299

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.01 KES 777

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.21 KES 673

$3.80 KES 491

37.11%

Apples (1kg)

$1.81 KES 234

$3.00 KES 388

-39.67%

Banana (1kg)

$0.86 KES 111

Oranges (1kg)

$1.53 KES 198

Tomato (1kg)

$0.73 KES 94.8

Potato (1kg)

$0.72 KES 92.9

Onion (1kg)

$1.07 KES 138

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.62 KES 80.5

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.58 KES 75.0

$1.13 KES 146

-48.67%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.44 KES 445

Wine (Bottle)

$7.94 KES 1,026

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.96 KES 254

$1.59 KES 205

23.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 KES 367

$1.66 KES 215

71.08%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.74 KES 96.3

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$35.00 KES 4,524

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.11 KES 402

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.87 KES 242

$1.53 KES 197

22.22%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.61 KES 596

$0.79 KES 103

483.54%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.60 KES 206

$1.36 KES 176

17.65%

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

$12.2K KES 1.6M

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

$12.2K KES 1.6M

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

$44.01 KES 5,688

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

$14.12 KES 1,825

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$44.43 KES 5,743

$28.98 KES 3,746

53.31%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$18.28 KES 2,363

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.64 KES 2,538

$19.59 KES 2,532

0.26%

Cinema Ticket

$4.59 KES 593

$3.89 KES 502

17.99%

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

$86.0 KES 11.1K

$61.3 KES 7,925

40.29%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,470 KES 707.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.40 KES 1,732

$11.53 KES 1,490

16.22%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.87 KES 1,792

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$23.46 KES 3,032

$38.77 KES 5,010

-39.49%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.74 KES 6,041

$19.44 KES 2,512

140.43%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$181 KES 23.3K

$117 KES 15.1K

54.95%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$118 KES 15.2K

$94.5 KES 12.2K

24.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$595 KES 76.9K

$275 KES 35.6K

116.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$448 KES 57.8K

$148 KES 19.1K

203.33%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,454 KES 704.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,880 KES 501.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$314 KES 40.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Mombasa: July 26, 2026

Last update for Bungoma: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $181 in Mombasa and $117 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 144% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $929 in Mombasa and $380 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: $181 in Mombasa versus $117 in Bungoma. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Supermarket bills run roughly 122% higher in Mombasa. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Childcare runs $86.0 in Mombasa versus $61.3 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 144% less than in Mombasa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.