Cost of Living Comparison Between Mombasa and Siaya Cost of Living Comparison Between Mombasa and Siaya

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $619 per month in Mombasa vs $128 in Siaya, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,079 per month in Mombasa vs $221 in Siaya, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,539 per month in Mombasa vs $315 in Siaya, rent included.

Mombasa costs about 385% more than Siaya, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Mombasa and Siaya are more affordable than the global median – Mombasa 53% lower, Siaya 90% 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

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.89 KES 373

Milk (1 liter)

$0.82 KES 105

$0.74 KES 95.6

10.81%

White Bread (500g)

$0.54 KES 70.3

$0.44 KES 57.1

22.73%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.44 KES 186

$1.20 KES 156

20.00%

Eggs

$1.75 KES 226

$1.71 KES 221

2.34%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.05 KES 1,299

$9.54 KES 1,233

5.35%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.01 KES 777

$5.55 KES 717

8.29%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.21 KES 673

$4.07 KES 526

28.01%

Apples (1kg)

$1.81 KES 234

Banana (1kg)

$0.86 KES 111

$1.07 KES 138

-19.63%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.53 KES 198

$1.54 KES 199

-0.65%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.73 KES 94.8

$0.88 KES 113

-17.05%

Potato (1kg)

$0.72 KES 92.9

$0.77 KES 99.7

-6.49%

Onion (1kg)

$1.07 KES 138

$0.85 KES 110

25.88%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.62 KES 80.5

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.58 KES 75.0

$0.55 KES 70.8

5.45%

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

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 KES 367

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

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.61 KES 596

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.60 KES 206

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

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$18.28 KES 2,363

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.64 KES 2,538

Cinema Ticket

$4.59 KES 593

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

$86.0 KES 11.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,470 KES 707.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.40 KES 1,732

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.87 KES 1,792

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$23.46 KES 3,032

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.74 KES 6,041

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$181 KES 23.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$118 KES 15.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$595 KES 76.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$448 KES 57.8K

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 Siaya: July 25, 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 Siaya: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $619 in Mombasa, $128 in Siaya – roughly 385% apart. Mombasa costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $929 per month in Mombasa and $191 in Siaya. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $619 in Mombasa and $128 in Siaya. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 33% more in Mombasa, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $619 in Mombasa and $128 in Siaya, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Siaya – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Siaya. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Mombasa makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.