Cost of Living in Thika - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Thika
Address: Thika, KE

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $471 (excluding rent), and $470 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,048 (excluding rent), and $1,117 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.57 KES 718

$2.38 KES 308

$7.95 KES 1,026

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$38.15 KES 4,921

$19.07 KES 2,461

$61.1 KES 7,875

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.93 KES 894

$5.51 KES 711

$8.12 KES 1,047

Cappuccino

$2.49 KES 321

$0.96 KES 123

$6.12 KES 790

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

$0.76 KES 98.2

$0.48 KES 61.9

$1.29 KES 167

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.51 KES 65.6

$0.38 KES 49.16

$1.13 KES 146

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.71 KES 221

$3.89 KES 502

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 KES 251

$4.68 KES 603

Milk (1 liter)

$0.93 KES 121

$0.56 KES 72.4

$1.21 KES 155

White Bread (500g)

$0.48 KES 61.4

$0.88 KES 113

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.37 KES 177

$0.94 KES 122

$3.14 KES 405

Eggs

$1.38 KES 178

$1.23 KES 159

$2.76 KES 357

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.71 KES 1,510

$5.16 KES 665

$31.18 KES 4,022

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.83 KES 881

$3.13 KES 404

$8.64 KES 1,115

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$1.90 KES 245

$6.86 KES 885

Apples (1kg)

$3.17 KES 409

$1.42 KES 183

$3.96 KES 511

Banana (1kg)

$1.04 KES 134

$0.67 KES 86.2

$1.90 KES 245

Oranges (1kg)

$2.11 KES 272

$0.77 KES 98.7

$4.14 KES 534

Tomato (1kg)

$1.05 KES 135

$0.47 KES 60.4

$1.96 KES 253

Potato (1kg)

$1.02 KES 132

$0.45 KES 57.6

$2.25 KES 291

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 KES 151

$0.47 KES 60.9

$1.98 KES 255

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.65 KES 84.5

$0.38 KES 49.17

$1.51 KES 195

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.81 KES 105

$0.48 KES 61.9

$1.21 KES 156

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.28 KES 294

$1.52 KES 197

$3.80 KES 491

Wine (Bottle)

$5.72 KES 737

$19.04 KES 2,457

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.68 KES 216

$1.53 KES 197

$2.72 KES 351

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 KES 256

$3.98 KES 513

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.51 KES 194

$1.35 KES 174

$2.25 KES 291

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.56 KES 201

$1.17 KES 151

$2.35 KES 303

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.84 KES 367

$2.27 KES 293

$5.31 KES 685

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.02 KES 132

$1.67 KES 216

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

$21.2K 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

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

$34.45 KES 4,444

$17.06 KES 2,200

$65.9 KES 8,502

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

$17.04 KES 2,198

$7.84 KES 1,012

$39.20 KES 5,057

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$39.63 KES 5,112

$23.36 KES 3,013

$77.9 KES 10.0K

Cinema Ticket

$6.11 KES 789

$4.58 KES 591

$9.16 KES 1,182

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

$204 KES 26.3K

$93.4 KES 12.0K

$389 KES 50.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,930 KES 1.0M

$3,815 KES 492.1K

$15.3K KES 2.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.48 KES 2,384

$9.40 KES 1,213

$39.19 KES 5,056

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.72 KES 3,060

$11.46 KES 1,479

$45.83 KES 5,912

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$65.5 KES 8,448

$23.24 KES 2,998

$147 KES 19.0K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$55.5 KES 7,155

$22.77 KES 2,937

$114 KES 14.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$610 KES 78.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.5

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

Thika Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Thika - Frequently Asked Questions

Thika offers a practical balance of daily needs that many expats and digital nomads find comfortable. Compared with larger cities, you typically get more space, varied neighborhoods, and easier access to services without paying urban premiums. Housing ranges from modest flats to shared homes, with room to negotiate longer stays. Fresh markets and local eateries usually offer affordable options if you shop around, and short hops by bus or boda boda are straightforward for daily errands. For a steady work routine, cafes and coworking spaces provide reliable Wi‑Fi without needing a premium location. Cost of Living in Thika, Kenya. Tip: Start with a central, transit-friendly area to test life here.

Daily life in Thika blends practicality with community conveniences. When you search for housing, start near the town center or along major bus routes for quick access to markets and gyms, and expect a mix of affordable flats and shared houses. Food options range from busy markets to casual eateries; cooking at home with fresh produce from local stalls keeps costs predictable. Transport is comfortable for short hops, and you’ll find reliable mobile data in cafes and coworking spaces. Thika, Kenya living cost shifts with neighborhood choice and your pace of life. Tip: Map a short weekly routine to minimize backtracking.

In Thika, you tend to gain value by planning around simple, repeatable budgets. Use a steady monthly framework: housing, groceries, transport, utilities, and a buffer for occasional meals out or leisure. Embrace local markets for fruit, vegetables, and bread to keep food costs predictable, and consider shared housing to balance space and price. Seasonality affects travel and outdoor activities; the climate allows outdoor routines much of the year, with heavier rains shaping when you bike or walk. Choose a neighborhood that matches your work rhythm – near cafes for wifi or closer to parks if you prefer quiet mornings. Tip: Build a month-long trial stay before committing.