Cost of Living Comparison Between Mombasa and Kisii Cost of Living Comparison Between Mombasa and Kisii

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $618 in Mombasa versus $64.5 in Kisii.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,060 in Mombasa versus $98.0 in Kisii.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,502 in Mombasa versus $132 in Kisii.

Living in Mombasa is roughly 859% more expensive than in Kisii, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Mombasa 54% lower, Kisii 95% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.35 KES 304

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.18 KES 2,478

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.80 KES 1,137

Cappuccino

$3.18 KES 411

$1.36 KES 176

133.82%

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

$0.48 KES 62.5

$1.30 KES 168

-63.08%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 KES 61.7

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.96 KES 253

$1.79 KES 231

9.50%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.82 KES 364

$2.26 KES 292

24.78%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.82 KES 106

White Bread (500g)

$0.49 KES 63.9

$0.52 KES 66.7

-5.77%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 KES 180

Eggs

$1.79 KES 231

$1.88 KES 243

-4.79%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.71 KES 1,255

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.82 KES 752

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.22 KES 675

Apples (1kg)

$1.79 KES 231

Banana (1kg)

$0.91 KES 117

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 KES 197

Tomato (1kg)

$0.79 KES 102

Potato (1kg)

$0.68 KES 87.5

Onion (1kg)

$1.08 KES 139

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 KES 85.4

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.60 KES 78.0

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.30 KES 427

Wine (Bottle)

$7.95 KES 1,027

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.88 KES 243

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.77 KES 358

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.75 KES 96.4

$0.37 KES 48.22

102.70%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$35.08 KES 4,533

$15.17 KES 1,961

131.25%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.05 KES 394

$0.81 KES 104

276.54%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.94 KES 251

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.58 KES 592

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.60 KES 206

$1.57 KES 203

1.91%

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

$12.0K KES 1.5M

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

$11.8K KES 1.5M

0.14%

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

$44.61 KES 5,765

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

$14.45 KES 1,867

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.55 KES 5,627

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$18.09 KES 2,337

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.19 KES 2,480

Cinema Ticket

$4.71 KES 609

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

$87.7 KES 11.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,406 KES 698.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.03 KES 1,684

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.80 KES 1,784

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$23.61 KES 3,050

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$45.93 KES 5,935

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$181 KES 23.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$118 KES 15.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$590 KES 76.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$462 KES 59.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,440 KES 702.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,820 KES 493.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$321 KES 41.5K

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 14, 2026

Last update for Kisii: July 11, 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 Kisii: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Kisii wins on cost – living expenses run 859% lower than in Mombasa. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Kisii the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

You'd need roughly $928 in Mombasa and $96.8 in Kisii 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.

All in, you'll spend $618 per month in Mombasa versus $64.5 in Kisii – a 859% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Supermarket bills run roughly 1231% higher in Mombasa. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Either city works on $800 a month, though Kisii 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.

Expats usually find Kisii gentler on the wallet – expenses run 859% less than in Mombasa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.