Town in Kilifi County, Kenya
Cost of living in Malindi
How much a month costs in Malindi
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $926–1,540 (KSh120,000–200,000).
Prices in Malindi
Typical 2026 ranges in KES, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | KES | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | KSh30,000–70,000 | $232–540 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | KSh15,000–35,000 | $116–270 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | KSh1,000–2,500 | $7.7–19.3 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | KSh6,000–15,000 | $46–116 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | KSh300–700 | $2.3–5.4 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | KSh1,200–2,800 | $9–22 |
| Cappuccino | KSh250–450 | $1.9–3.5 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | KSh250–500 | $1.9–3.9 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | KSh30–100 | $0.23–0.77 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | KSh300–700 | $2.3–5.4 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | KSh3,000–6,000 | $23–46 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | KSh1,000–3,000 | $8–23 |
Value for money: 55/100
A value score of 55/100 means Malindi gives more quality of life per dollar than 54% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 46/100. It's the 6th 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 Malindi
Similar safety, lower cost, in Africa.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Aswan | Egypt | $478–803 |
| Dahab | Egypt | $536–861 |
| Djerba | Tunisia | $674–1,080 |
| Sousse | Tunisia | $674–1,080 |
| Addis Ababa | Ethiopia | $553–921 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Malindi?
About $463–695 on a lean budget, $926–1,540 for a comfortable month and $2,320–4,630 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Malindi?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs KSh30,000–70,000 ($232–540) a month in the center and KSh15,000–35,000 ($116–270) outside it.
How much does food cost in Malindi?
A local meal is KSh300–700 ($2.3–5.4); a mid-range restaurant is KSh1,200–2,800 ($9–22) per person.
Is Kenya expensive?
Prices in Kenya are about 34% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Malindi
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Kenya Wildlife Service (Malindi Marine Park)
- Jambojet
- Aga Khan Hospital Mombasa
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.