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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $130 per month in Siaya vs $605 in Mombasa, rent included.

A couple spends around $220 per month in Siaya vs $1,067 in Mombasa, rent included.

A family of three spends $309 per month in Siaya vs $1,528 in Mombasa, rent included.

Siaya is about 79% cheaper than Mombasa, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Siaya and Mombasa are more affordable than the global median – Siaya 90% lower, Mombasa 55% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.39 KES 310

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.38 KES 2,513

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.75 KES 1,135

Cappuccino

$3.14 KES 408

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

$0.51 KES 66.7

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.47 KES 61.0

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.90 KES 246

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 KES 387

Milk (1 liter)

$0.76 KES 98.4

$0.83 KES 107

-8.43%

White Bread (500g)

$0.45 KES 58.1

$0.53 KES 69.2

-15.09%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.26 KES 163

$1.42 KES 184

-11.27%

Eggs

$1.69 KES 220

$1.80 KES 233

-6.11%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.42 KES 1,221

$9.78 KES 1,268

-3.68%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.49 KES 712

$5.96 KES 773

-7.89%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.90 KES 506

$5.40 KES 701

-27.78%

Apples (1kg)

$1.83 KES 237

$1.86 KES 241

-1.61%

Banana (1kg)

$1.04 KES 135

$0.87 KES 113

19.54%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.58 KES 205

$1.57 KES 204

0.64%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.94 KES 122

$0.78 KES 101

20.51%

Potato (1kg)

$0.80 KES 103

$0.72 KES 93.3

11.11%

Onion (1kg)

$0.84 KES 108

$1.08 KES 140

-22.22%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.62 KES 80.7

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 KES 66.4

$0.58 KES 75.1

-12.07%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.44 KES 447

Wine (Bottle)

$7.75 KES 1,004

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.96 KES 254

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.77 KES 359

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.74 KES 95.6

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$35.22 KES 4,566

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.07 KES 398

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.95 KES 253

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.52 KES 586

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.65 KES 213

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)

$12.0K KES 1.6M

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

$45.06 KES 5,842

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

$14.19 KES 1,840

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.51 KES 5,641

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$18.03 KES 2,337

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.24 KES 2,494

Cinema Ticket

$4.65 KES 604

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

$85.5 KES 11.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,329 KES 691.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.41 KES 1,739

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.57 KES 1,760

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$22.90 KES 2,970

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.05 KES 6,101

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$177 KES 23.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$114 KES 14.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$593 KES 76.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$460 KES 59.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,473 KES 709.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,912 KES 507.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$319 KES 41.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Siaya: June 9, 2026

Last update for Mombasa: June 7, 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

Siaya vs Mombasa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $130 in Siaya, $605 in Mombasa – roughly 365% apart. Mombasa costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $195 per month in Siaya and $908 in Mombasa. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $130 in Siaya and $605 in Mombasa. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 34% 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 $130 in Siaya and $605 in Mombasa, 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.