Cost of Living in Nairobi

Mercer’s Cost of Living Survey for 2021 ranked Nairobi 145th out of 209 countries, making it more affordable than both Cairo (137th) and Doha (130th).

Most expats working in Nairobi earn good salaries with employment perks for major expenses. These could include housing allowances, company cars, medical-aid contributions, education benefits, and visa and permit charges.

That said, don’t be misled into thinking that expat life in Nairobi is cheap. While it certainly is possible to live sparingly with minimal expenses, most Westerners prefer imported products and other services and these often come at a price.

As is the case with most destinations, an expat’s chief expenses in Nairobi will be accommodation, school fees, transport, food, clothes and utilities.

Cost of accommodation in Nairobi

The cost of accommodation in Nairobi depends on location, but good quality accommodation can be expensive. In many cases, employers offer to shoulder this expense. This offer can also include the required security deposit, usually the equivalent of two to three months' rent. Utilities, such as electricity, water and internet, are likely to be the expat’s responsibility.

One accommodation-related expense that expats may not anticipate is provision for security measures. Expats living in gated communities find this is often included in the rental costs, but it's unlikely to be the case in standalone homes.

Cost of transport in Nairobi

Many expats prefer to own a car in Kenya, as it allows for more freedom. Depending on the model and condition, cars can be quite expensive in Nairobi, but once expats have purchased a vehicle they often opt to hire a driver too, as chauffeurs are said to be quite affordable and worth considering as navigating Nairobi's traffic can be stressful.

Renting a car is a cheaper alternative to buying and can be more convenient for expats who will only be in the country for a limited time. Some expats, especially those in top executive positions, will have a company car and driver provided for them.

The main means of public transport in Kenya is the matatu (a van or minibus with a fixed or semi-fixed route). This option is cheap, but the vehicles are often overcrowded and in many instances don't meet the required safety standards.

Taxis are also used often, but because there's no clear-cut billing method and vehicles don't have meters, expats are advised to research pricing and to negotiate an agreeable fare with the driver beforehand.

Cost of healthcare in Nairobi

The cost of private healthcare in Nairobi is roughly equivalent to rates in Western countries. Day-to-day treatment is relatively affordable, but health insurance is recommended, especially in case of emergency treatment or medical evacuation.

There are plenty of health-insurance providers in Nairobi. Most expats have health insurance included in their salary package.

Cost of education in Nairobi

Most expats send their children to international schools, which can be mightily expensive. Apart from fees, there may also be additional expenses for registration, transport, food and field trips. Again, it’s common for employers to include some form of education allowance in an expat package, and if this isn't initially part of the offer, we recommend expats negotiate for it.

Cost of entertainment in Nairobi

Kenya has something for everyone's type of lifestyle, whether its nature, shopping or socialising in a bar. Nairobi National Park is located just south of the capital city and is a popular attraction among expats and locals alike. The national park isn't overly expensive, and shopping and dining in the city are relatively affordable too, but we advise expats to keep a close eye on their finances as costs can add up quickly.