Cost of Living in Thika - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Thika
Address: Thika, KE

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $433 (excluding rent), and $478 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,069 (excluding rent), and $1,123 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.37 KES 694

$2.3 KES 297

$7.67 KES 991

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$39 KES 5,040

$19.5 KES 2,520

$62.4 KES 8,066

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.92 KES 894

$5.5 KES 711

$8.1 KES 1,047

Cappuccino

$2.49 KES 322

$0.96 KES 124

$6.13 KES 792

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

$0.72 KES 92.8

$0.45 KES 58.5

$1.22 KES 158

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.54 KES 70.1

$0.41 KES 52.6

$1.21 KES 156

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.73 KES 224

$3.95 KES 510

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 KES 252

$4.68 KES 605

Milk (1 liter)

$0.86 KES 112

$0.52 KES 66.9

$1.11 KES 144

White Bread (500g)

$0.44 KES 56.7

$0.81 KES 105

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.32 KES 171

$0.91 KES 118

$3.03 KES 391

Eggs

$1.43 KES 184

$1.27 KES 164

$2.86 KES 370

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.4 KES 1,473

$5.02 KES 649

$30.35 KES 3,923

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.8 KES 878

$3.12 KES 403

$8.6 KES 1,112

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$1.92 KES 248

$6.91 KES 893

Apples (1kg)

$3.13 KES 404

$1.4 KES 181

$3.9 KES 505

Banana (1kg)

$1.07 KES 138

$0.69 KES 88.7

$1.95 KES 252

Oranges (1kg)

$2.15 KES 278

$0.78 KES 101

$4.24 KES 547

Tomato (1kg)

$1.02 KES 132

$0.46 KES 58.9

$1.91 KES 247

Potato (1kg)

$1.03 KES 133

$0.45 KES 58.2

$2.27 KES 294

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 KES 151

$0.47 KES 60.9

$1.98 KES 256

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.69 KES 89.2

$0.4 KES 51.9

$1.6 KES 206

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.75 KES 97

$0.44 KES 57.2

$1.12 KES 144

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.33 KES 301

$1.56 KES 201

$3.89 KES 503

Wine (Bottle)

$5.69 KES 735

$18.97 KES 2,452

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.65 KES 214

$1.51 KES 195

$2.68 KES 347

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.92 KES 248

$3.85 KES 497

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.52 KES 196

$1.36 KES 176

$2.27 KES 294

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.5 KES 194

$1.13 KES 146

$2.26 KES 292

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.86 KES 370

$2.29 KES 296

$5.35 KES 692

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.01 KES 131

$1.66 KES 214

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

$21.3K KES 2.7M

$15.2K KES 2M

$22.8K KES 2.9M

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

$19.6K KES 2.5M

$15.2K KES 2M

$30.3K KES 3.9M

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

$33.81 KES 4,369

$16.74 KES 2,164

$64.7 KES 8,360

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

$16.83 KES 2,175

$7.75 KES 1,001

$38.72 KES 5,004

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$39.44 KES 5,097

$23.24 KES 3,004

$77.5 KES 10K

Cinema Ticket

$6.04 KES 781

$4.53 KES 585

$9.06 KES 1,170

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

$203 KES 26.2K

$92.8 KES 12K

$387 KES 50K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,180 KES 1.1M

$3,935 KES 508.6K

$15.7K KES 2M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.43 KES 2,382

$9.38 KES 1,212

$39.09 KES 5,052

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.39 KES 3,152

$11.78 KES 1,523

$47.11 KES 6,088

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$64.8 KES 8,370

$22.98 KES 2,970

$146 KES 18.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$56.4 KES 7,291

$23.16 KES 2,993

$116 KES 15K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$627 KES 81K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.5

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

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.