Cost of Living in Meru - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $448 (excluding rent), and $489 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,103 (excluding rent), and $1,154 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.56 KES 719
$2.38 KES 308
$7.94 KES 1,026
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.66 KES 4,997
$19.33 KES 2,498
$61.9 KES 7,997
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.97 KES 901
$5.55 KES 717
$8.17 KES 1,056
Cappuccino
$2.37 KES 306
$0.91 KES 118
$5.83 KES 754
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.7 KES 90.2
$0.44 KES 56.8
$1.18 KES 153
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.5 KES 64.9
$0.38 KES 48.65
$1.12 KES 145
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.38 KES 308
$1.98 KES 256
$3.97 KES 513
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88 KES 373
$2.31 KES 298
$4.61 KES 596
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.83 KES 107
$0.53 KES 68.1
$1.13 KES 146
White Bread (500g)
$0.4 KES 52.3
$0.28 KES 36.17
$0.88 KES 114
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.1 KES 142
$0.95 KES 122
$3.14 KES 406
Eggs
$1.43 KES 185
$1.25 KES 162
$2.82 KES 364
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.84 KES 1,530
$5.22 KES 674
$31.54 KES 4,076
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.94 KES 897
$3.18 KES 411
$8.78 KES 1,135
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.13 KES 663
$4.34 KES 561
$7.1 KES 917
Apples (1kg)
$3.16 KES 409
$1.42 KES 183
$3.95 KES 510
Banana (1kg)
$0.79 KES 102
$0.69 KES 89.7
$1.97 KES 255
Oranges (1kg)
$0.73 KES 94.6
$0.73 KES 94.6
$3.97 KES 512
Tomato (1kg)
$0.75 KES 96.5
$0.45 KES 57.6
$1.87 KES 242
Potato (1kg)
$1.04 KES 134
$0.45 KES 58.6
$2.29 KES 296
Onion (1kg)
$0.99 KES 128
$0.45 KES 58.2
$1.89 KES 244
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.24 KES 31.17
$0.24 KES 31.17
$1.63 KES 210
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41 KES 53.1
$0.37 KES 48.18
$1.11 KES 143
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.13 KES 404
$1.57 KES 203
$3.92 KES 506
Wine (Bottle)
$11.4 KES 1,474
$6.84 KES 884
$19 KES 2,455
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.25 KES 291
$1.56 KES 201
$2.77 KES 359
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82 KES 364
$1.97 KES 254
$3.95 KES 510
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.53 KES 198
$1.38 KES 178
$2.3 KES 297
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.52 KES 197
$1.15 KES 148
$2.29 KES 296
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.82 KES 364
$2.25 KES 291
$5.26 KES 680
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 KES 140
$1.08 KES 140
$1.73 KES 224
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3K KES 2.8M
$15.2K KES 2M
$22.8K KES 2.9M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.3K KES 2.6M
$15.7K KES 2M
$31.4K KES 4.1M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$34.75 KES 4,491
$17.21 KES 2,224
$66.5 KES 8,593
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.11 KES 2,212
$7.88 KES 1,018
$39.37 KES 5,089
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.45 KES 5,098
$23.25 KES 3,005
$77.5 KES 10K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$6.13 KES 793
$4.6 KES 594
$9.2 KES 1,188
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$206 KES 26.6K
$94.2 KES 12.2K
$393 KES 50.7K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,976 KES 1M
$3,837 KES 495.9K
$15.3K KES 2M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.25 KES 2,359
$9.29 KES 1,200
$38.71 KES 5,002
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.83 KES 3,080
$11.51 KES 1,488
$46.04 KES 5,950
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$65.8 KES 8,503
$23.35 KES 3,017
$148 KES 19.1K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$57.7 KES 7,452
$23.67 KES 3,059
$118 KES 15.3K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
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 Meru - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Meru affordable for travelers and expats, and who tends to find value there?
Meru offers a friendly balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want a lower overall cost while keeping essential services accessible. Cost of Living in Meru, Kenya tends to favor those who prioritize local options, seasonal markets, and longer stays over frequent dining out. You can find affordable housing in town or quieter outskirts, with options that leave room for the occasional splurge. Daily necessities scale with choice, from simple meals at market stalls to modest café lunches. Tip: Explore neighborhoods at different times to understand value.
What is daily life like in Meru for housing, food, transport, and coworking?
Daily life in Meru blends practical, local options with growing spaces for remote work. For housing, search town center apartments or shared compounds with flexible leases; negotiate longer terms to reduce monthly costs. Food options range from busy markets to casual eateries; shopping at markets helps you manage Meru, Kenya living cost while tasting seasonal produce. Transportation is simple and affordable: short rides by local minibuses or boda-boda, plus walking if you stay near services or coworking spaces. Tip: pick a neighborhood near coworking spaces for reliable power and easy transport.
How would you rate quality of life, budgeting, and seasonal considerations when choosing a neighborhood in Meru?
Quality of life in Meru, Kenya hinges on pace and access to essentials, greenery, and community spaces. A practical budgeting framework works well: separate housing, food, transport, and discretionary spending, then review monthly; adjust as seasons shift. Save by shopping at local markets, cooking at home, and choosing houses with natural ventilation to cut energy needs. Seasonality affects who you meet and the activities available, from outdoor markets to cultural events; pick a neighborhood that matches your preferred schedule. Tip: test a short-term stay in a few districts to feel where you fit before committing long term.
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