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: $625 in Mombasa versus $256 in Bungoma.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,066 in Mombasa versus $372 in Bungoma.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,508 in Mombasa versus $488 in Bungoma.

Living in Mombasa is roughly 144% more expensive than 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 303

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.23 KES 2,489

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.63 KES 1,117

Cappuccino

$3.30 KES 427

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

$0.51 KES 66.6

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 KES 62.2

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.98 KES 257

$1.58 KES 204

25.32%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.83 KES 366

$1.74 KES 225

62.64%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.85 KES 110

$0.99 KES 128

-14.14%

White Bread (500g)

$0.50 KES 64.5

$0.48 KES 62.5

4.17%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.44 KES 187

$1.35 KES 175

6.67%

Eggs

$1.81 KES 235

$1.29 KES 166

40.31%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.01 KES 1,295

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.84 KES 756

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.44 KES 704

$3.76 KES 486

44.68%

Apples (1kg)

$1.82 KES 236

$3.03 KES 393

-39.93%

Banana (1kg)

$0.91 KES 117

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 KES 197

Tomato (1kg)

$0.80 KES 103

Potato (1kg)

$0.70 KES 91.1

Onion (1kg)

$1.08 KES 140

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.62 KES 79.6

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.60 KES 77.7

$1.13 KES 146

-46.90%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.44 KES 446

Wine (Bottle)

$7.78 KES 1,006

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.91 KES 247

$1.51 KES 196

26.49%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.79 KES 361

$1.74 KES 226

60.34%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.80 KES 104

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$34.90 KES 4,516

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.02 KES 390

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.90 KES 246

$1.57 KES 203

21.02%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.61 KES 596

$0.74 KES 95.5

522.97%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.65 KES 214

$1.37 KES 178

20.44%

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)

$12.1K KES 1.6M

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

$44.92 KES 5,813

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

$13.95 KES 1,805

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.46 KES 5,624

$29.36 KES 3,799

48.02%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$17.80 KES 2,303

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.17 KES 2,480

$19.09 KES 2,470

0.42%

Cinema Ticket

$4.73 KES 612

$3.89 KES 503

21.59%

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

$88.7 KES 11.5K

$62.4 KES 8,077

42.12%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,475 KES 708.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.32 KES 1,724

$11.81 KES 1,529

12.79%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.48 KES 1,744

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$23.12 KES 2,992

$38.26 KES 4,950

-39.57%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$45.71 KES 5,914

$19.64 KES 2,542

132.74%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$182 KES 23.5K

$116 KES 15.0K

56.62%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$118 KES 15.3K

$91.8 KES 11.9K

28.40%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$593 KES 76.8K

$266 KES 34.4K

123.08%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$449 KES 58.1K

$147 KES 19.1K

204.72%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,322 KES 688.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,914 KES 506.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$313 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: June 14, 2026

Last update for Bungoma: June 15, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $182 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 144% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $937 in Mombasa and $383 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: $182 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 125% higher in Mombasa. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Childcare runs $88.7 in Mombasa versus $62.4 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.