Cost of Living in Kiambu - Updated Prices & Insights

14.43
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $371 (excluding rent), and $483 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $840 (excluding rent), and $1,020 including rent.
Currency
Do you live in Kiambu? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.04 KES 392
$1.52 KES 197
$7.6 KES 983
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.1 KES 2,469
$19.1 KES 2,469
$61.1 KES 7,902
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.68 KES 605
$3.9 KES 504
$8.05 KES 1,040
Cappuccino
$1.99 KES 257
$0.96 KES 124
$6.14 KES 793
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.5 KES 64.3
$0.3 KES 38.36
$1.19 KES 153
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36 KES 47.06
$0.16 KES 20.17
$1.21 KES 156
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.77 KES 228
$1.77 KES 228
$3.84 KES 497
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.35 KES 303
$2.35 KES 303
$4.69 KES 606
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.65 KES 84
$0.45 KES 58.5
$1.14 KES 148
White Bread (500g)
$0.5 KES 64.2
$0.42 KES 54.1
$0.83 KES 107
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.57 KES 203
$0.9 KES 117
$3 KES 388
Eggs
$1.36 KES 176
$1.05 KES 135
$2.86 KES 370
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.8 KES 1,525
$5.2 KES 672
$31.42 KES 4,061
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.76 KES 873
$3.1 KES 400
$8.55 KES 1,105
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.03 KES 521
$3.8 KES 491
$6.84 KES 884
Apples (1kg)
$3.08 KES 398
$1.38 KES 179
$3.85 KES 497
Banana (1kg)
$1.07 KES 139
$0.69 KES 88.9
$1.95 KES 252
Oranges (1kg)
$0.74 KES 95.7
$0.74 KES 95.7
$4.01 KES 518
Tomato (1kg)
$0.61 KES 78.6
$0.48 KES 62.3
$2.02 KES 261
Potato (1kg)
$0.54 KES 69.2
$0.41 KES 53.2
$2.22 KES 287
Onion (1kg)
$0.75 KES 97.1
$0.47 KES 60.4
$1.96 KES 253
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.3 KES 38.75
$0.3 KES 38.75
$1.5 KES 194
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.4 KES 51.8
$0.4 KES 51.8
$1.19 KES 154
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.06 KES 396
$1.54 KES 199
$3.84 KES 496
Wine (Bottle)
$11.5 KES 1,487
$6.9 KES 891
$19.16 KES 2,476
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.3 KES 298
$1.59 KES 206
$3.98 KES 515
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71 KES 351
$1.9 KES 245
$3.81 KES 492
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.56 KES 72.5
$0.56 KES 72.5
$0.8 KES 103
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.53 KES 198
$1.37 KES 177
$2.29 KES 296
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.37 KES 48.01
$0.37 KES 48.01
$2.21 KES 286
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.97 KES 383
$2.37 KES 307
$5.55 KES 717
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.52 KES 197
$1.33 KES 171
$1.9 KES 245
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K KES 2.8M
$15.3K KES 2M
$22.9K KES 3M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.2K KES 2.6M
$15.6K KES 2M
$31.2K KES 4M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$27.96 KES 3,613
$16.89 KES 2,182
$65.2 KES 8,432
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.79 KES 1,007
$7.79 KES 1,007
$38.95 KES 5,034
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.58 KES 3,822
$19.72 KES 2,548
$78.9 KES 10.2K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$11.77 KES 1,521
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.77 KES 745
$4.61 KES 596
$9.23 KES 1,193
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$205 KES 26.6K
$94.1 KES 12.2K
$392 KES 50.7K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,179 KES 1.1M
$3,935 KES 508.5K
$15.7K KES 2M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$6.04 KES 781
$6.04 KES 781
$37.76 KES 4,880
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.37 KES 3,149
$11.77 KES 1,522
$47.07 KES 6,084
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$26.81 KES 3,465
$22.98 KES 2,970
$146 KES 18.8K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$30.61 KES 3,956
$22.96 KES 2,967
$115 KES 14.8K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$116 KES 14.9K
$116 KES 14.9K
$116 KES 14.9K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$91.2 KES 11.8K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$193 KES 24.9K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$145 KES 18.8K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,158 KES 149.7K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$276 KES 35.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11
11
18
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
City tags:
Cost of Living in Kiambu - Frequently Asked Questions
How does affordability in Kiambu compare for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
The Cost of Living in Kiambu, Kenya offers a practical balance of suburban calm with city access. You can often find more affordable housing options than in central Nairobi, from shared compounds to standalone homes in leafy neighborhoods. Local markets and casual eateries keep everyday groceries and meals sensible, especially when you shop smart and plan around market days. Utilities and internet tend to scale with your needs, offering flexible options for reduced costs during slow periods. For longer stays, the mix of nature, safety, and access makes staying feel sustainable rather than temporary. Tip: Plan your week around transit windows and grocery runs to maximize value.
What does daily life look like in Kiambu for housing search, meals, transport, and errands?
For housing, you’ll notice clusters around Kikuyu, Ruiru, Thika, and Limuru, with options ranging from shared compounds to modest apartments and family homes. Food options are diverse: local markets offer vegetables and staples, while supermarkets cover imported goods and ready-to-cook meals. Transportation links to Nairobi are solid, with matatus and buses, plus rideshare apps for flexibility; shorter commutes are possible if you choose a base within Kiambu towns. Co-working spaces and cafés support remote work, though service levels and Wi‑Fi vary. Kiambu living cost remains a useful touchstone for planning your week, not a fixed rule. Tip: Build a weekly errand route to cut back on trips.
What quality-of-life factors and budgeting approaches help you settle into Kiambu and find the right neighborhood?
Quality of life in Kiambu hinges on the balance of green spaces, cooler climate, and proximity to Nairobi without the bustle. Consider a simple budgeting framework: carve out categories for housing, groceries, transport, and occasional leisure, then adjust as seasons and work rhythms shift. Neighborhood fit depends on your preferences for hillside views, access to schools or coworking, and ease of grocery runs. Areas closer to the city center offer quick commutes, while leafy towns emphasize serenity and outdoor activities. Try a short stay in a couple of districts to compare pace, safety, and amenities before committing. Tip: Tune your budget to your work rhythm and social life.
Join the CityCost newsletter – low traffic, no spam, and easy to unsubscribe. Your email stays private.