Nairobi, Kenya

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Cost of living in Nairobi

Real monthly costs in Nairobi, Kenya — USD, from the same data behind the Pro model.

Photo: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Nairobi is the most expensive of Kenya's 3 priced cities — $578 a month in essentials, 33% above Mombasa at $435. The average net salary of $433 covers that 0.7×. 94.1 men per 100 women aged 20–39, measured at county level. PM2.5 averages 15.7 µg/m³ a year, 3× the WHO guideline of 5. Jul averages 18°C, Mar 22°C.

Essentials / mo$578rent + bills + food + transit
Men per 100 women94.1ages 20–39, county level
Avg net salary$433monthly, after tax
Safety score41/100higher = safer

Monthly cost breakdown

Rent outside centre plus utilities, groceries, dining and local transport make up the essentials figure. Not a full lifestyle budget.

ItemMonthly USD
Rent, 1-bed outside centre$221
Rent, 1-bed city centre$431
Groceries$93
Dining out$122
Utilities$96
Local transport$46
Essentials / mo$578
Avg net salary$433
Rent, 3-bed outside centre$527
Rent, 3-bed city centre$1,161

Single person, USD. Data updated July 27, 2026.

Everyday prices

What single items cost in Nairobi, in USD. The monthly figures above are built from these.

Eating out

ItemUSD
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$4.64
Meal for 2, mid-range, three courses$34.82
McMeal at McDonald's$6.19
Cappuccino, regular$2.69
Domestic beer, 0.5 L draught$2.32
Imported beer, 0.33 L bottle$2.71
Coke/Pepsi, 0.33 L$0.59
Water, 0.33 L bottle$0.54

Groceries

ItemUSD
Milk, 1 L$0.88
White bread, 500 g$0.56
White rice, 1 kg$1.99
Eggs, 12$1.64
Local cheese, 1 kg$10.24
Chicken fillets, 1 kg$6.24
Apples, 1 kg$3.07
Bananas, 1 kg$0.98
Tomatoes, 1 kg$0.99
Potatoes, 1 kg$1.00
Onions, 1 kg$0.95
Water, 1.5 L bottle$0.73

Transport & bills

ItemUSD
One-way ticket, local transport$0.77
Monthly transit pass$46.42
Taxi start$1.55
Taxi, 1 km$1.55
Gasoline, 1 L$1.53
Basic utilities, 85 m² flat$60.18
Internet, 60 Mbps+$36.01
Mobile plan, monthly$14.51

Leisure

ItemUSD
Gym, monthly$47.61
Cinema, one seat$7.74

Dating-age sex ratio

Nairobi has 94.1 men per 100 women aged 20–39 (county level). That is the 3rd-highest of 6 Kenya cities we track. Kenya's national figure is 97.1, so Nairobi runs 3 below the country as a whole.

A supply figure, 20–39. The dating-pool model is in Pro.

Climate & air

Ten-year monthly means, 2015–2024 — a climate profile, not a forecast.

Air qualityPM2.5 15.7µg/m³, annual mean
Warmest month22°CMar
Coolest month18°CJul
Wettest month146 mmApr
MonthAvgFeelsHumidityCloudRain
Jan20.4°C20.2°C65%54%36 mm
Feb21.2°C20.8°C61%52%27 mm
Mar21.6°C21.4°C63%57%55 mm
Apr20.5°C21.4°C76%78%146 mm
May19.5°C20.4°C77%73%91 mm
Jun18.4°C18.6°C74%74%41 mm
Jul17.8°C17.6°C72%79%16 mm
Aug18.1°C17.7°C68%70%17 mm
Sep19.1°C18.7°C66%64%27 mm
Oct20.4°C20.1°C65%68%41 mm
Nov19.7°C20°C75%72%87 mm
Dec19.8°C19.9°C73%61%48 mm

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