City in Mombasa County, Kenya
Cost of living in Mombasa
How much a month costs in Mombasa
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $695–1,160 (KSh90,000–150,000).
Prices in Mombasa
Typical 2026 ranges in KES, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | KES | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | KSh30,000–65,000 | $232–502 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | KSh18,000–40,000 | $139–309 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | KSh1,000–2,200 | $7.7–17.0 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | KSh5,000–11,000 | $39–85 |
| 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 | KSh250–450 | $1.9–3.5 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | KSh40–100 | $0.31–0.77 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | KSh300–600 | $2.3–4.6 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | KSh3,000–7,000 | $23–54 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | KSh1,000–2,500 | $7.7–19.3 |
Value for money: 78/100
A value score of 78/100 means Mombasa gives more quality of life per dollar than 77% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 48/100. It's the 3rd 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 Mombasa
Similar safety, lower cost, in Africa.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Aswan | Egypt | $478–803 |
| Dahab | Egypt | $536–861 |
| Addis Ababa | Ethiopia | $553–921 |
| Luxor | Egypt | $536–861 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Mombasa?
About $347–540 on a lean budget, $695–1,160 for a comfortable month and $1,700–3,090 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Mombasa?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs KSh30,000–65,000 ($232–502) a month in the center and KSh18,000–40,000 ($139–309) outside it.
How much does food cost in Mombasa?
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 Mombasa
Going to Mombasa solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Mombasa meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
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.