Capital city in Nairobi County, Kenya
Cost of living in Nairobi
How much a month costs in Nairobi
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,000–1,700 (KSh130,000–220,000).
Prices in Nairobi
Typical 2026 ranges in KES, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | KES | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | KSh45,000–100,000 | $347–772 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | KSh25,000–55,000 | $193–425 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | KSh1,200–2,500 | $9.3–19.3 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | KSh7,000–15,000 | $54–116 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | KSh300–700 | $2.3–5.4 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | KSh1,500–3,000 | $12–23 |
| Cappuccino | KSh250–450 | $1.9–3.5 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | KSh300–500 | $2.3–3.9 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | KSh50–100 | $0.39–0.77 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | KSh400–800 | $3.1–6.2 |
| Work and life | ||
| Coworking day pass | KSh1,000–2,500 | $7.7–19.3 |
| Gym membership (month) | KSh4,000–10,000 | $31–77 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | KSh1,000–2,500 | $7.7–19.3 |
Value for money: 60/100
A value score of 60/100 means Nairobi gives more quality of life per dollar than 59% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 53/100. It's the 7th 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 Nairobi
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 Nairobi?
About $463–695 on a lean budget, $1,000–1,700 for a comfortable month and $2,320–3,860 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Nairobi?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs KSh45,000–100,000 ($347–772) a month in the center and KSh25,000–55,000 ($193–425) outside it.
How much does food cost in Nairobi?
A local meal is KSh300–700 ($2.3–5.4); a mid-range restaurant is KSh1,500–3,000 ($12–23) per person.
Is Kenya expensive?
Prices in Kenya are about 34% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Nairobi
Going to Nairobi solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Nairobi meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Kenya Airports Authority)
- Kenya Railways
- Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi
- UK FCDO travel advice: Kenya
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.