Island in Lamu County, Kenya
Cost of living in Lamu
How much a month costs in Lamu
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $617–1,080 (KSh80,000–140,000).
Prices in Lamu
Typical 2026 ranges in KES, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | KES | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | KSh1,000–2,000 | $7.7–15.4 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | KSh4,000–10,000 | $31–77 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | KSh250–600 | $1.9–4.6 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | KSh1,000–2,500 | $7.7–19.3 |
| Cappuccino | KSh200–400 | $1.5–3.1 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | KSh300–500 | $2.3–3.9 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | KSh100–300 | $0.8–2.3 |
| Work and life | ||
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | KSh1,000–2,500 | $7.7–19.3 |
Value for money: 85/100
A value score of 85/100 means Lamu gives more quality of life per dollar than 84% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 50/100. It's the 2nd most affordable of 8 places we cover in Kenya.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Kenya
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Naivasha | $540–926 | 91/100 |
| Lamu | $617–1,080 | 85/100 |
| Mombasa | $695–1,160 | 78/100 |
| Watamu | $695–1,160 | 88/100 |
| Diani Beach | $772–1,310 | 81/100 |
| Malindi | $926–1,540 | 55/100 |
| Nairobi | $1,000–1,700 | 60/100 |
| Maasai Mara | $3,470–6,950 | 1/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Lamu
Similar safety, lower cost, in Africa.
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Lamu?
About $309–463 on a lean budget, $617–1,080 for a comfortable month and $1,540–3,090 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much does food cost in Lamu?
A local meal is KSh250–600 ($1.9–4.6); a mid-range restaurant is KSh1,000–2,500 ($7.7–19.3) per person.
Is Kenya expensive?
Prices in Kenya are about 34% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Lamu
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Kenya Airports Authority
- UK FCDO travel advice: Kenya
- Lamu Old Town (UNESCO)
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.