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: $604 in Mombasa versus $64.9 in Kisii.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,064 in Mombasa versus $101 in Kisii.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,525 in Mombasa versus $137 in Kisii.

Living in Mombasa is roughly 832% more expensive than Kisii, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Mombasa 55% lower, Kisii 95% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.37 KES 307

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.29 KES 2,496

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.53 KES 1,105

Cappuccino

$3.25 KES 421

$1.43 KES 185

127.27%

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

$0.51 KES 66.2

$1.34 KES 174

-61.94%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.47 KES 61.2

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.90 KES 246

$1.81 KES 234

4.97%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.93 KES 379

$2.37 KES 307

23.63%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.81 KES 104

White Bread (500g)

$0.53 KES 69.3

$0.48 KES 62.5

10.42%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.44 KES 187

Eggs

$1.73 KES 223

$1.88 KES 243

-7.98%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.96 KES 1,290

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.82 KES 754

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.24 KES 678

Apples (1kg)

$1.81 KES 234

Banana (1kg)

$0.93 KES 121

Oranges (1kg)

$1.56 KES 202

Tomato (1kg)

$0.76 KES 98.1

Potato (1kg)

$0.71 KES 92.3

Onion (1kg)

$1.05 KES 136

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 KES 86.8

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 KES 73.9

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.32 KES 430

Wine (Bottle)

$7.90 KES 1,022

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.94 KES 251

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.73 KES 354

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.79 KES 103

$0.38 KES 48.97

107.89%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$35.09 KES 4,542

$15.43 KES 1,998

127.41%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.02 KES 390

$0.75 KES 96.9

302.67%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.95 KES 252

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.61 KES 596

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.60 KES 207

$1.62 KES 210

-1.23%

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)

$11.8K KES 1.5M

$11.5K KES 1.5M

2.59%

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

$44.87 KES 5,809

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

$14.07 KES 1,821

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$44.11 KES 5,711

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$18.18 KES 2,354

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.95 KES 2,454

Cinema Ticket

$4.55 KES 589

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

$87.3 KES 11.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,325 KES 689.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.39 KES 1,733

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.83 KES 1,791

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$23.61 KES 3,057

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.29 KES 6,121

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$178 KES 23.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$115 KES 14.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$605 KES 78.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$465 KES 60.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,402 KES 699.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,839 KES 496.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$318 KES 41.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Mombasa: May 31, 2026

Last update for Kisii: June 1, 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 832% 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 $907 in Mombasa and $97.3 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 $604 per month in Mombasa versus $64.9 in Kisii – a 832% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Supermarket bills run roughly 1278% 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 832% less than in Mombasa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.