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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $614 per month in Mombasa vs $166 in Siaya, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,068 per month in Mombasa vs $267 in Siaya, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,523 per month in Mombasa vs $368 in Siaya, rent included.

Mombasa costs about 269% more than Siaya, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Mombasa and Siaya are more affordable than the global median – Mombasa 54% lower, Siaya 88% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.33 KES 301

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.28 KES 2,488

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.94 KES 1,154

Cappuccino

$3.25 KES 419

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

$0.48 KES 61.7

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.45 KES 57.8

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.97 KES 255

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.91 KES 376

Milk (1 liter)

$0.83 KES 106

$0.79 KES 103

5.06%

White Bread (500g)

$0.54 KES 69.8

$0.44 KES 57.4

22.73%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.41 KES 182

$1.26 KES 163

11.90%

Eggs

$1.82 KES 235

$1.66 KES 214

9.64%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.91 KES 1,279

$9.32 KES 1,203

6.33%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.87 KES 757

$5.30 KES 684

10.75%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.24 KES 676

$4.06 KES 524

29.06%

Apples (1kg)

$1.82 KES 235

$1.88 KES 243

-3.19%

Banana (1kg)

$0.87 KES 112

$1.02 KES 132

-14.71%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 KES 196

$1.54 KES 198

-1.30%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.76 KES 98.0

$0.92 KES 119

-17.39%

Potato (1kg)

$0.66 KES 85.7

$0.79 KES 102

-16.46%

Onion (1kg)

$1.07 KES 138

$0.83 KES 107

28.92%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.63 KES 80.9

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.62 KES 79.8

$0.55 KES 70.7

12.73%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.32 KES 429

Wine (Bottle)

$7.79 KES 1,005

$19.39 KES 2,503

-59.82%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.95 KES 252

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.77 KES 358

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.73 KES 94.4

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$34.27 KES 4,423

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 KES 408

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.90 KES 245

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.55 KES 587

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.63 KES 211

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

$11.9K KES 1.5M

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

$11.8K KES 1.5M

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

$44.31 KES 5,720

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

$14.23 KES 1,837

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$44.18 KES 5,702

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$18.34 KES 2,367

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.55 KES 2,523

Cinema Ticket

$4.59 KES 592

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

$85.7 KES 11.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,452 KES 703.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.12 KES 1,693

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.86 KES 1,789

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$23.60 KES 3,046

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.61 KES 6,016

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$179 KES 23.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$114 KES 14.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$597 KES 77.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$455 KES 58.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,498 KES 709.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,826 KES 493.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$319 KES 41.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Mombasa: April 27, 2026

Last update for Siaya: April 27, 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: $614 in Mombasa, $166 in Siaya – roughly 269% apart. Mombasa costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $921 per month in Mombasa and $249 in Siaya. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $614 in Mombasa and $166 in Siaya. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 2% 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 $614 in Mombasa and $166 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.