Cost of Living in Embu - Updated Prices & Insights

16.4
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $405 (excluding rent), and $494 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $963 (excluding rent), and $1,104 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.53 KES 714
$2.37 KES 306
$7.89 KES 1,020
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.53 KES 3,946
$19.08 KES 2,466
$61.1 KES 7,892
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.33 KES 689
$5.33 KES 689
$7.84 KES 1,014
Cappuccino
$2.3 KES 297
$0.92 KES 119
$5.9 KES 762
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 KES 43.2
$0.3 KES 38.26
$1.18 KES 153
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22 KES 28.41
$0.22 KES 28.41
$1.11 KES 143
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.27 KES 293
$1.89 KES 244
$3.79 KES 489
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95 KES 381
$2.36 KES 305
$4.71 KES 609
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.53 KES 68.3
$0.53 KES 68.3
$1.14 KES 147
White Bread (500g)
$0.52 KES 67.2
$0.48 KES 61.8
$0.88 KES 114
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.93 KES 121
$0.44 KES 56.6
$2.94 KES 380
Eggs
$1.71 KES 221
$1.28 KES 165
$2.87 KES 371
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.88 KES 502
$3.88 KES 502
$31.06 KES 4,014
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.22 KES 416
$3.03 KES 391
$8.35 KES 1,080
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.21 KES 544
$3.55 KES 458
$7.09 KES 917
Apples (1kg)
$3.17 KES 409
$1.42 KES 183
$3.95 KES 511
Banana (1kg)
$1.07 KES 139
$0.69 KES 89
$1.96 KES 253
Oranges (1kg)
$2.09 KES 270
$0.76 KES 98
$4.1 KES 531
Tomato (1kg)
$0.37 KES 48
$0.37 KES 48
$1.84 KES 238
Potato (1kg)
$0.65 KES 83.6
$0.45 KES 58.2
$2.27 KES 294
Onion (1kg)
$0.98 KES 126
$0.48 KES 62.3
$2.02 KES 262
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.69 KES 89.4
$0.4 KES 52
$1.6 KES 207
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.57 KES 73.2
$0.48 KES 62.4
$1.22 KES 157
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3 KES 387
$1.5 KES 194
$3.75 KES 485
Wine (Bottle)
$11.55 KES 1,493
$6.92 KES 895
$19.24 KES 2,487
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.27 KES 293
$1.57 KES 203
$2.8 KES 362
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72 KES 352
$1.9 KES 246
$3.82 KES 494
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.13 KES 146
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.54 KES 198
$1.38 KES 178
$2.3 KES 297
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.56 KES 202
$1.18 KES 152
$2.36 KES 305
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.98 KES 385
$2.38 KES 308
$5.56 KES 719
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 KES 190
$1.15 KES 148
$1.81 KES 234
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22K KES 2.8M
$15.7K KES 2M
$23.6K KES 3M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$12.3K KES 1.6M
$12.3K KES 1.6M
$30.8K KES 4M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$34.66 KES 4,480
$17.16 KES 2,218
$66.3 KES 8,571
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.98 KES 2,195
$7.82 KES 1,011
$39.07 KES 5,050
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.92 KES 4,901
$22.75 KES 2,941
$75.9 KES 9,803
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$17.19 KES 2,221
$15.27 KES 1,974
$19.09 KES 2,468
Cinema Ticket
$4.22 KES 546
$4.22 KES 546
$9.2 KES 1,189
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$204 KES 26.4K
$93.5 KES 12.1K
$390 KES 50.3K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,963 KES 1M
$3,831 KES 495.1K
$15.3K KES 2M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$9.18 KES 1,186
$9.18 KES 1,186
$38.24 KES 4,943
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.37 KES 3,149
$11.77 KES 1,521
$47.07 KES 6,083
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$65.1 KES 8,412
$23.09 KES 2,985
$146 KES 18.9K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$15.3 KES 1,977
$15.3 KES 1,977
$115 KES 14.8K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$78.7 KES 10.2K
$78.7 KES 10.2K
$78.7 KES 10.2K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$53.5 KES 6,913
$53.5 KES 6,913
$53.5 KES 6,913
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$91.8 KES 11.9K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$269 KES 34.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
14.84
11
18
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Embu - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Embu affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads compared with bigger Kenyan cities?
Cost of Living in Embu is generally lower than Nairobi or Mombasa, thanks to smaller rents, abundant local markets, and a slower tempo. You will find pleasant, affordable meals at street stalls and typical shared accommodations that fit a traveler or remote worker. Some imported goods and premium services can push costs up briefly, but everyday life stays approachable. For a nomad, the pace supports longer stays without overspending while you focus on a project. Tip: Build a simple weekly budget to compare housing, meals, and transport.
What does daily life look like in Embu for housing, food options, transport, and errands?
A day in Embu centers on markets, friendly neighborhoods, and walkable streets. Housing options range from modest rooms near the market to small apartments in quieter lanes; plan for basic furnishings and reliable internet if you work remotely. Food is vibrant and affordable when you shop at local markets and cook at home; try madafu or ugali with sukuma wiki for a typical meal. For getting around, matatus and motorcycle taxis cover most routes, with rides costing less than in larger cities. A practical handle on Embu living cost is to map budget levels: central town versus outskirts. Tip: Prioritize a close-to-work setup to save on transport.
What quality of life and budgeting approaches help you fit in Embu through different seasons and neighborhoods?
Quality of life in Embu blends outdoor access, community markets, and a slower rhythm that supports focus. Budgeting frameworks work best when you separate fixed costs (housing, internet) from flexible ones (food, transport, outings). Take advantage of seasonal produce at markets to keep meals varied without overspending; plan a few weeknight meals around what is fresh. For neighborhood fit, consider proximity to markets or co-working hubs, and check safety and noise levels in the evenings. When traveling, book ahead around harvest or festival periods to avoid price spikes and crowds. Tip: create a simple quarterly plan that tracks spending by category and season.
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