Town in Kilifi County, Kenya
Cost of living in Watamu
How much a month costs in Watamu
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $695–1,160 (KSh90,000–150,000).
Prices in Watamu
Typical 2026 ranges in KES, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | KES | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | KSh30,000–60,000 | $232–463 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | KSh15,000–35,000 | $116–270 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | KSh1,200–2,500 | $9.3–19.3 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | KSh5,000–12,000 | $39–93 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | KSh300–600 | $2.3–4.6 |
| 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 | KSh250–450 | $1.9–3.5 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | KSh50–150 | $0.4–1.2 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | KSh300–600 | $2.3–4.6 |
| Work and life | ||
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | KSh1,000–2,500 | $7.7–19.3 |
Value for money: 88/100
A value score of 88/100 means Watamu gives more quality of life per dollar than 87% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 58/100. It's the 4th 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 Watamu
Similar safety, lower cost, in Africa.
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Watamu?
About $347–540 on a lean budget, $695–1,160 for a comfortable month and $1,700–3,240 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Watamu?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs KSh30,000–60,000 ($232–463) a month in the center and KSh15,000–35,000 ($116–270) outside it.
How much does food cost in Watamu?
A local meal is KSh300–600 ($2.3–4.6); 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 Watamu
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Kenya Wildlife Service: Watamu Marine National Park
- Local Ocean Conservation
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.