Cost of Living Comparison Between Mombasa and Busia Cost of Living Comparison Between Mombasa and Busia

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.39 KES 310

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.38 KES 2,513

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.75 KES 1,135

Cappuccino

$3.14 KES 408

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

$0.51 KES 66.7

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.47 KES 61.0

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.90 KES 246

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 KES 387

Milk (1 liter)

$0.83 KES 107

White Bread (500g)

$0.53 KES 69.2

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.42 KES 184

Eggs

$1.80 KES 233

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.78 KES 1,268

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.96 KES 773

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.40 KES 701

Apples (1kg)

$1.86 KES 241

Banana (1kg)

$0.87 KES 113

Oranges (1kg)

$1.57 KES 204

Tomato (1kg)

$0.78 KES 101

Potato (1kg)

$0.72 KES 93.3

Onion (1kg)

$1.08 KES 140

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.62 KES 80.7

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.58 KES 75.1

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.44 KES 447

Wine (Bottle)

$7.75 KES 1,004

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.96 KES 254

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.77 KES 359

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.74 KES 95.6

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$35.22 KES 4,566

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.07 KES 398

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.95 KES 253

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.52 KES 586

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.65 KES 213

$1.32 KES 172

25.00%

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)

$45.06 KES 5,842

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

$14.19 KES 1,840

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.51 KES 5,641

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$18.03 KES 2,337

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.24 KES 2,494

Cinema Ticket

$4.65 KES 604

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

$85.5 KES 11.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,329 KES 691.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.41 KES 1,739

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.57 KES 1,760

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$22.90 KES 2,970

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.05 KES 6,101

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$177 KES 23.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$114 KES 14.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$593 KES 76.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$460 KES 59.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,473 KES 709.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,912 KES 507.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$319 KES 41.3K

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 7, 2026

Last update for Busia: June 7, 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 Busia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For families, Busia is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Mombasa, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.

It comes down to priorities – Busia wins on affordability, Mombasa on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.