Cost of Living in Thika - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Thika
Address: Thika, KE

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $452 (excluding rent), and $481 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,130 (excluding rent), and $1,148 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.37 KES 694

$2.3 KES 297

$7.67 KES 992

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$38.23 KES 4,941

$19.11 KES 2,470

$61.2 KES 7,907

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.97 KES 901

$5.55 KES 717

$8.17 KES 1,056

Cappuccino

$2.39 KES 309

$0.92 KES 119

$5.89 KES 761

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

$0.72 KES 92.5

$0.45 KES 58.3

$1.22 KES 157

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.5 KES 64.1

$0.37 KES 48.04

$1.11 KES 143

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.74 KES 225

$3.96 KES 512

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.89 KES 244

$4.55 KES 588

Milk (1 liter)

$0.88 KES 113

$0.53 KES 67.9

$1.13 KES 146

White Bread (500g)

$0.47 KES 61.4

$0.88 KES 113

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.33 KES 172

$0.92 KES 118

$3.04 KES 393

Eggs

$1.35 KES 175

$1.21 KES 156

$2.72 KES 351

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.69 KES 1,510

$5.15 KES 666

$31.13 KES 4,023

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.94 KES 896

$3.18 KES 411

$8.78 KES 1,135

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$1.95 KES 252

$7.02 KES 907

Apples (1kg)

$3.12 KES 403

$1.4 KES 181

$3.9 KES 503

Banana (1kg)

$1.03 KES 133

$0.66 KES 85.5

$1.88 KES 243

Oranges (1kg)

$2.16 KES 279

$0.78 KES 101

$4.25 KES 549

Tomato (1kg)

$1.02 KES 132

$0.46 KES 58.8

$1.91 KES 247

Potato (1kg)

$1.03 KES 133

$0.45 KES 58.4

$2.28 KES 294

Onion (1kg)

$1.16 KES 151

$0.47 KES 60.7

$1.97 KES 255

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.64 KES 82.8

$0.37 KES 48.18

$1.48 KES 192

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.81 KES 104

$0.48 KES 61.5

$1.2 KES 155

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.27 KES 294

$1.52 KES 196

$3.79 KES 490

Wine (Bottle)

$11.51 KES 1,487

$6.9 KES 892

$19.17 KES 2,478

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.74 KES 224

$1.58 KES 205

$2.82 KES 364

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 KES 255

$3.96 KES 512

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.56 KES 202

$1.4 KES 181

$2.34 KES 303

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.57 KES 203

$1.18 KES 153

$2.37 KES 306

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.94 KES 380

$2.35 KES 304

$5.5 KES 710

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.02 KES 132

$1.67 KES 216

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

$21.7K KES 2.8M

$15.5K KES 2M

$23.2K KES 3M

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

$20.1K KES 2.6M

$15.6K KES 2M

$31.1K KES 4M

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

$33.91 KES 4,383

$16.79 KES 2,171

$64.9 KES 8,386

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

$16.9 KES 2,184

$7.78 KES 1,005

$38.88 KES 5,025

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$39.65 KES 5,124

$23.37 KES 3,020

$77.9 KES 10.1K

Cinema Ticket

$6.35 KES 820

$4.76 KES 615

$9.52 KES 1,230

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

$202 KES 26.1K

$92.5 KES 12K

$385 KES 49.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,191 KES 1.1M

$3,941 KES 509.3K

$15.8K KES 2M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.2 KES 2,352

$9.26 KES 1,197

$38.6 KES 4,988

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.9 KES 3,088

$11.55 KES 1,492

$46.16 KES 5,966

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$64.4 KES 8,323

$22.85 KES 2,953

$145 KES 18.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$55.5 KES 7,173

$22.78 KES 2,945

$114 KES 14.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$624 KES 80.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.5

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

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.