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Cost of Living in Nairobi - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $556 (excluding rent), and $766 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,337 (excluding rent), and $1,809 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.48 KES 706
$2.35 KES 302
$7.82 KES 1,009
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.29 KES 5,066
$19.64 KES 2,533
$62.9 KES 8,107
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.64 KES 857
$5.29 KES 682
$7.78 KES 1,004
Cappuccino
$2.44 KES 315
$0.94 KES 121
$6.02 KES 776
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75 KES 96.6
$0.47 KES 60.9
$1.27 KES 164
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53 KES 68.6
$0.40 KES 51.4
$1.19 KES 153
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.37 KES 306
$1.98 KES 255
$3.96 KES 511
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 KES 366
$2.27 KES 293
$4.55 KES 586
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.88 KES 114
$0.53 KES 68.1
$1.13 KES 146
White Bread (500g)
$0.57 KES 74.1
$0.52 KES 67.3
$0.89 KES 114
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.59 KES 205
$0.91 KES 118
$3.03 KES 391
Eggs
$1.71 KES 220
$1.28 KES 164
$2.87 KES 370
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.68 KES 1,506
$5.15 KES 664
$31.12 KES 4,012
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.93 KES 893
$3.18 KES 409
$8.77 KES 1,130
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.45 KES 703
$4.14 KES 534
$6.76 KES 872
Apples (1kg)
$3.03 KES 390
$1.36 KES 175
$3.78 KES 487
Banana (1kg)
$1.04 KES 134
$0.67 KES 86.1
$1.89 KES 244
Oranges (1kg)
$2.15 KES 277
$0.78 KES 101
$4.22 KES 545
Tomato (1kg)
$1.02 KES 131
$0.45 KES 58.6
$1.91 KES 246
Potato (1kg)
$1.06 KES 137
$0.46 KES 59.9
$2.34 KES 302
Onion (1kg)
$1.17 KES 151
$0.47 KES 60.9
$1.98 KES 256
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.68 KES 87.7
$0.40 KES 51.1
$1.57 KES 203
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.75 KES 97.0
$0.44 KES 57.2
$1.12 KES 144
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.16 KES 407
$1.58 KES 204
$3.95 KES 510
Wine (Bottle)
$11.71 KES 1,510
$7.03 KES 906
$19.52 KES 2,517
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.26 KES 292
$1.57 KES 202
$2.79 KES 360
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 KES 366
$1.99 KES 256
$3.98 KES 514
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.80 KES 103
$0.56 KES 72.1
$1.61 KES 207
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$31.18 KES 4,021
$23.38 KES 3,015
$46.77 KES 6,030
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.59 KES 205
$1.43 KES 184
$2.38 KES 307
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.51 KES 195
$1.14 KES 147
$2.28 KES 294
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.88 KES 371
$2.30 KES 297
$5.37 KES 693
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.57 KES 203
$1.37 KES 176
$1.72 KES 222
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3K KES 2.7M
$15.2K KES 2.0M
$22.8K KES 2.9M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.1K KES 2.6M
$15.5K KES 2.0M
$31.1K KES 4.0M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$34.51 KES 4,449
$17.09 KES 2,203
$66.0 KES 8,513
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.72 KES 2,155
$7.70 KES 992
$38.46 KES 4,959
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.41 KES 5,082
$23.23 KES 2,995
$77.4 KES 9,984
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.50 KES 5,480
$15.34 KES 1,978
$76.7 KES 9,890
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.28 KES 2,615
$7.73 KES 997
$34.77 KES 4,483
Cinema Ticket
$6.29 KES 812
$4.72 KES 608
$9.44 KES 1,217
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$199 KES 25.6K
$91.1 KES 11.7K
$380 KES 48.9K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,029 KES 1.0M
$3,862 KES 498.0K
$15.4K KES 2.0M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.13 KES 2,337
$9.22 KES 1,189
$38.44 KES 4,957
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.89 KES 3,080
$11.54 KES 1,488
$46.14 KES 5,950
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$64.5 KES 8,313
$22.88 KES 2,950
$145 KES 18.7K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$56.6 KES 7,292
$23.22 KES 2,993
$116 KES 15.0K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$445 KES 57.4K
$231 KES 29.8K
$924 KES 119.2K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$183 KES 23.6K
$115 KES 14.8K
$345 KES 44.4K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,123 KES 144.8K
$774 KES 99.7K
$1,934 KES 249.4K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$426 KES 55.0K
$271 KES 35.0K
$775 KES 99.9K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,571 KES 202.6K
$1,283 KES 165.4K
$2,991 KES 385.6K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$917 KES 118.2K
$696 KES 89.7K
$1,727 KES 222.6K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$402 KES 51.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
14.84
11
18

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

Last update: January 4, 2026

Nairobi Median Internet Speeds (Updated September 2025)

Mobile

Download
169.18
Mbps
Upload
17.28
Mbps
Latency
26
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
20.02
Mbps
Upload
19.58
Mbps
Latency
10
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Nairobi - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Nairobi, Kenya compare in terms of overall affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Overall, Nairobi offers a workable mix of value and variety for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Essentials like groceries, transit, and casual dining can be affordable in many neighborhoods, while central business districts and upscale expat enclaves tend to be pricier. The Cost of Living in Nairobi, Kenya is highly dependent on where you stay and how you spend – short-term stays in shared spaces beat boutique hotels, and local markets can cut daily costs when you shop with a sense of seasonality. Square footage and security considerations influence rent more than you might expect. Tip: plan a few core neighborhoods you like and test how tasks – commuting, coworking, groceries – fit your daily rhythm.
What does daily life look like in Nairobi for budgeting and practical living – housing search, food options, transport, coworking spots, and errands?
Daily life centers on a mix of markets, mid-range eateries, and robust transit options. For housing, look beyond the formal leases: many expats start with short-term stays while scouting neighborhoods, then settle in places that balance safety, access to amenities, and price. Food choices range from affordable local bowls to international cafes. Co-working spaces are plentiful in business districts and growing pockets of shared offices in outer areas; commuting by matatu or ride-hailing is common but plan for variability. Nairobi living cost shifts with distance from the center and seasonality of travel demand. Tip: Test housing options across seasons and map your commute to balance time and cost.
Which neighborhoods fit different lifestyles in Nairobi, and what budgeting framework or saving tips help plan longer stays?
Neighborhood fit depends on your pace and routines. If you need easy access to cafes, coworking, and nightlife, central districts and uphill suburbs near the riverbank can fit a social rhythm; for more quiet, leafy outskirts offer space and lower rents. Build a practical budget using a simple framework: list essentials (housing, groceries, transport), then discretionary spends (eat out, activities), then savings and travel. Track seasonality in Nairobi, such as rainy periods or events that attract crowds, which can influence prices and availability. Tip: join a local expat or neighborhood group to test different districts before committing.

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