Cost of Living Comparison Between Nairobi and Kisii Cost of Living Comparison Between Nairobi and Kisii

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $765 in Nairobi versus $64.5 in Kisii.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,299 in Nairobi versus $98.0 in Kisii.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,832 in Nairobi versus $132 in Kisii.

Living in Nairobi is roughly 1086% more expensive than in Kisii, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Nairobi 43% lower, Kisii 95% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.55 KES 717

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$38.48 KES 4,973

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.64 KES 858

Cappuccino

$2.49 KES 322

$1.36 KES 176

83.09%

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

$0.70 KES 91.1

$1.30 KES 168

-46.15%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.50 KES 65.0

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.36 KES 306

$1.79 KES 231

31.84%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.83 KES 366

$2.26 KES 292

25.22%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.86 KES 111

White Bread (500g)

$0.56 KES 72.6

$0.52 KES 66.7

7.69%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.60 KES 207

Eggs

$1.68 KES 216

$1.88 KES 243

-10.64%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.71 KES 1,513

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.91 KES 894

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.64 KES 729

Apples (1kg)

$3.08 KES 398

Banana (1kg)

$1.07 KES 139

Oranges (1kg)

$2.06 KES 266

Tomato (1kg)

$1.04 KES 135

Potato (1kg)

$1.07 KES 138

Onion (1kg)

$1.15 KES 149

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.65 KES 84.5

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.75 KES 96.6

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.16 KES 409

Wine (Bottle)

$11.79 KES 1,524

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.21 KES 285

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.83 KES 365

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.75 KES 97.4

$0.37 KES 48.22

102.70%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.90 KES 3,993

$15.17 KES 1,961

103.69%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.53 KES 198

$0.81 KES 104

88.89%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.50 KES 193

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.95 KES 382

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.53 KES 198

$1.57 KES 203

-2.55%

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

$22.1K KES 2.9M

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

$19.8K KES 2.6M

$11.8K KES 1.5M

67.78%

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

$33.74 KES 4,360

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

$16.72 KES 2,160

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$38.94 KES 5,032

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.13 KES 5,574

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.62 KES 2,665

Cinema Ticket

$6.36 KES 822

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

$205 KES 26.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,113 KES 1.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.49 KES 2,389

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.69 KES 3,062

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$64.3 KES 8,310

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$55.6 KES 7,185

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$438 KES 56.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$186 KES 24.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,142 KES 147.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$432 KES 55.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,526 KES 197.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$909 KES 117.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$431 KES 55.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

14.84

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

Last update for Nairobi: July 13, 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

Nairobi vs Kisii: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Kisii wins on cost – living expenses run 1086% lower than in Nairobi. 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 $1,147 in Nairobi 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 $765 per month in Nairobi versus $64.5 in Kisii – a 1086% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Supermarket bills run roughly 1527% higher in Nairobi. 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 work as nomad bases, but Kisii delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $64.5 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Kisii hard to pass up.

Expats usually find Kisii gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1086% less than in Nairobi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.