Cost of Living in Kenya - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Kenya
Address: KE

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $485 (excluding rent), and $674 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,177 (excluding rent), and $1,601 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.94 KES 508

$1.58 KES 203

$7.88 KES 1,016

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.30 KES 4,551

$21.18 KES 2,731

$101 KES 13.0K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.80 KES 877

$5.30 KES 683

$7.94 KES 1,023

Cappuccino

$2.20 KES 284

$0.91 KES 117

$5.80 KES 748

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

$0.67 KES 85.9

$0.38 KES 48.58

$1.50 KES 193

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.53 KES 68.5

$0.32 KES 40.84

$1.19 KES 153

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.38 KES 307

$1.59 KES 205

$3.98 KES 513

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.73 KES 353

$2.34 KES 302

$4.68 KES 604

Milk (1 liter)

$0.82 KES 105

$0.48 KES 61.3

$1.20 KES 155

White Bread (500g)

$0.50 KES 64.8

$0.44 KES 57.3

$0.74 KES 95.9

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.37 KES 176

$0.92 KES 119

$2.48 KES 320

Eggs

$1.56 KES 201

$1.15 KES 148

$2.41 KES 311

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.41 KES 1,343

$4.65 KES 600

$31.05 KES 4,003

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.51 KES 839

$3.12 KES 402

$8.61 KES 1,110

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.03 KES 649

$3.83 KES 493

$6.12 KES 789

Apples (1kg)

$2.86 KES 369

$1.19 KES 153

$3.97 KES 512

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 KES 131

$0.63 KES 81.4

$2.03 KES 261

Oranges (1kg)

$1.90 KES 245

$0.72 KES 92.7

$3.97 KES 512

Tomato (1kg)

$0.85 KES 110

$0.39 KES 49.68

$1.53 KES 197

Potato (1kg)

$0.87 KES 113

$0.41 KES 52.4

$1.77 KES 228

Onion (1kg)

$0.95 KES 122

$0.44 KES 56.6

$1.70 KES 219

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.68 KES 87.5

$0.32 KES 41.10

$1.43 KES 184

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.68 KES 87.7

$0.40 KES 51.0

$1.06 KES 136

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.03 KES 391

$1.89 KES 244

$3.79 KES 489

Wine (Bottle)

$9.38 KES 1,209

$5.86 KES 755

$19.54 KES 2,519

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.06 KES 265

$1.53 KES 197

$2.67 KES 344

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.58 KES 332

$1.82 KES 235

$3.79 KES 489

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.80 KES 103

$0.56 KES 71.9

$1.60 KES 206

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.00 KES 3,739

$22.90 KES 2,952

$45.79 KES 5,904

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.52 KES 196

$1.37 KES 176

$3.04 KES 392

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.55 KES 200

$0.94 KES 121

$2.34 KES 302

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.01 KES 388

$2.26 KES 291

$5.28 KES 681

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.49 KES 192

$1.14 KES 147

$1.66 KES 214

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

$19.1K KES 2.5M

$14.1K KES 1.8M

$23.4K KES 3.0M

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

$17.4K KES 2.2M

$13.7K KES 1.8M

$26.6K KES 3.4M

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

$33.08 KES 4,265

$15.52 KES 2,001

$66.0 KES 8,505

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

$15.20 KES 1,959

$7.85 KES 1,012

$31.40 KES 4,048

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$39.09 KES 5,039

$23.52 KES 3,032

$78.4 KES 10.1K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.30 KES 4,809

$15.53 KES 2,003

$77.7 KES 10.0K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.65 KES 2,533

$7.67 KES 989

$38.33 KES 4,941

Cinema Ticket

$6.35 KES 818

$4.76 KES 614

$11.91 KES 1,535

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

$164 KES 21.1K

$77.7 KES 10.0K

$350 KES 45.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,596 KES 979.2K

$3,919 KES 505.3K

$15.7K KES 2.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$14.20 KES 1,831

$9.22 KES 1,189

$38.45 KES 4,956

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$21.05 KES 2,713

$6.23 KES 803

$46.70 KES 6,021

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$48.36 KES 6,235

$19.01 KES 2,451

$114 KES 14.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.11 KES 6,074

$19.68 KES 2,537

$101 KES 13.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$304 KES 39.2K

$116 KES 14.9K

$694 KES 89.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$150 KES 19.3K

$78.6 KES 10.1K

$353 KES 45.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$872 KES 112.5K

$354 KES 45.6K

$1,573 KES 202.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$361 KES 46.5K

$204 KES 26.3K

$786 KES 101.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,459 KES 188.1K

$978 KES 126.1K

$3,028 KES 390.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$923 KES 119.0K

$679 KES 87.5K

$2,688 KES 346.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$351 KES 45.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.57

10.9

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

Last update: January 17, 2026

By City in Kenya

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Bungoma	60000		$158	$254	$311	$480	21.61	10.62
2	Busia	51981						28.81	12.53
3	Eldoret	193830	27	$358	$536	$971	$1,310	257.39	10.31
4	Embu	41092	25	$425	$496	$851	$1,065	63.63	20.96
5	Garissa	119696		$410	$463	$966	$1,070	29.74	12.74
6	Homa Bay	-		$55.0	$58.8	$315	$293	125.21	8.96
7	Isiolo	45989	25	$464	$492	$1,186	$1,105	12.53	12.05
8	Kericho	150000	23	$377	$460	$1,062	$1,025	40.1	18.25
9	Kiambu	147870	24	$384	$484	$761	$1,013	35.63	14.3
10	Kilifi	122899		$274	$422	$769	$1,107	78.18	23.65
11	Kisii	200000		$57.5	$65.2	$122	$133	37.54	11.79
12	Kisumu	1155574	30	$442	$590	$1,179	$1,278	320.62	13.44
13	Kitale	107806		$146	$146	$347	$353	79.43	12.38
14	Machakos	114109	23	$299	$455	$1,024	$1,058	42.43	18.29
15	Malindi	117735		$270	$343	$825	$799	157.59	25.65
16	Meru	1833000	24	$505	$492	$1,234	$1,140	148.43	13.45
17	Migori	31644	25	$528	$507	$1,188	$1,174	25.48	8.43
18	Molo	-	25	$420	$498	$1,218	$1,201	77.41	10.88
19	Mombasa	1300000	31	$398	$623	$951	$1,527	138.67	40.77
20	Nairobi	3138295	39	$560	$776	$1,323	$1,831	38.9	21.88
21	Naivasha	14563	29	$419	$576	$1,188	$1,384	209.7	17
22	Nakuru	307990	29	$477	$586	$961	$1,368	101.86	12.95
23	Nanyuki	32000	31	$493	$614	$1,056	$1,398	207.26	26.28
24	Narok	40000	28	$470	$554	$1,364	$1,300	13.85	9.38
25	Nyahururu	-	28	$483	$563	$1,165	$1,353	38.69	11.31
26	Nyeri	98908	26	$435	$508	$1,111	$1,278	32.23	13.19
27	Ongata Rongai	-	27	$403	$544	$943	$1,151	161.81	18.27
28	Siaya	22586		$152	$165	$360	$366	33.26	3.72
29	Thika	83000	24	$430	$473	$1,217	$1,140	63.19	18.13
30	Wote	-	29	$332	$581	$1,032	$1,203	22.99	13.9

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Kenya - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Kenya varies widely by region and lifestyle, so choosing the right city and neighborhood matters. The country offers a wide spectrum of costs, with major cities like Nairobi and Mombasa tending to be more expensive for housing and dining than rural towns. You can find solid value by living in mid-range neighborhoods, cooking at home, and using public transport. The mix of formal and informal services means you can access affordable options, but imported goods and urban amenities can raise prices. Seasonal tourism can push prices in peak months. Your budget stretches further with longer leases and shared housing. Tip: Start by listing essential expenses and comparing a few neighborhoods to find the best fit.

Daily life in Kenya blends affordability with choice. Housing searches usually rely on online listings and local agents; in cities, you’ll encounter a range from secure apartment compounds in popular neighborhoods to simple, shared options on quieter streets. For food, markets offer fresh produce at accessible prices, while supermarkets provide convenience for staples. Transport is diverse: matatus, boda-boda, ride-hailing, and walking are common depending on the area. Co-working spaces exist in major hubs, with flexible options for short or longer stays. Kenya living cost shifts with location and your daily choices. Tip: Build a short list of must-haves before you search.

Quality of life in Kenya depends on neighborhood fit and daily routines. Build a simple budgeting framework: essentials first, then flexible spending, with regular reviews. Seasonality matters: rainy seasons can affect commute times and outdoor plans, while tourist high season can push prices in popular spots. For a good neighborhood fit, weigh safety, access to reliable internet, and proximity to work or co-working spaces; Nairobi pockets like Kilimani or Karen offer different vibes than coastal towns. Embrace local markets, prepared foods, and public transport to stretch your budget. Tip: Set a monthly review to adjust your plan as you settle in.