Cheapest priced cityMombasa$435 essentials/mo
Priciest priced cityNairobi$578 essentials/mo
Average 1-bed outside centre$163across 4 priced cities
Tourist stay signalNo tourist visa: an eTA instead, US$30, for almost every nationality.as of 2026-07
City-by-city monthly costs
Essentials are sourced rent outside centre plus utilities, groceries, dining, and local transport. They are not a full lifestyle budget.
| City | Essentials | 1-bed outside | 1-bed centre | Groceries | Dining | Utilities | Transport | Avg salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mombasa | $435 | $153 | $193 | $79 | $75 | $89 | $39 | $319 |
| Kisumu | $455 | $139 | $155 | $90 | $107 | $96 | $23 | $775 |
| Nairobi | $578 | $221 | $431 | $93 | $122 | $96 | $46 | $433 |
| Nakuru | n/a | $139 | $225 | $87 | $110 | $96 | n/a | n/a |
Single person, USD. Data updated July 27, 2026.
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