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.
Cost of living in Nairobi chart
Prices may vary depending on product and service provider. The list below shows average prices for Nairobi in March 2022.
Accommodation (monthly) |
|
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre |
KSH 115,000 |
Three-bedroom apartment outside of city centre |
KSH 55,000 |
One-bedroom apartment in city centre |
KSH 51,000 |
One-bedroom apartment outside of city centre |
KSH 23,000 |
Shopping |
|
Eggs (dozen) |
KSH 160 |
Milk (1 litre) |
KSH 100 |
Rice (1kg) |
KSH 155 |
Loaf of white bread |
KSH 50 |
Chicken breasts (1kg) |
KSH 670 |
Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) |
KSH 300 |
Eating out |
|
Big Mac Meal |
KSH 725 |
Coca-Cola (330ml) |
KSH 50 |
Cappuccino |
KSH 280 |
Bottle of local beer |
KSH 250 |
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant |
KSH 4,000 |
Utilities |
|
Mobile-to-mobile call rate (per minute) |
KSH 3.40 |
Internet (uncapped ADSL or cable – average per month) |
KSH 6,400 |
Domestic cleaner (per hour) |
KSH 500 |
Basic utilities (per month for small apartment) |
KSH 4,500 |
Transport |
|
Taxi rate (per kilometre) |
KSH 200 |
Public transport fare in the city centre |
KSH 100 |
Petrol/gasoline (per litre) |
KSH 130 |
Further reading
►For more on money matters read the Banking, Money and Taxes in Kenya page
►Read more on Working in Nairobi
Expat Interviews
"The clement weather means that there is no need to change our wardrobe for the seasons and the good news is that the coffee here is second to none and a cappuccino is cheap! There are some really good coffee houses." Read our interview with Frances for more info on living costs in Nairobi.
Are you an expat living in Nairobi?
Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Nairobi. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute.
Expat Health Insurance
Cigna Global
If you’re thinking about taking out private health insurance, our trusted partner Cigna Global is very aware of all the difficulties that expats can face when it comes to healthcare in a new location, so they have created a range of international health insurance plans specifically designed for expats, which you can tailor exactly to the needs and ensure access to quality care for you and your family.
Moving Companies
Moving Internationally?
Sirelo has a network of more than 500 international removal companies that can move your furniture and possessions to your new home. By filling in a form, you’ll get up to 5 quotes from recommended movers. This service is free of charge and will help you select an international moving company that suits your needs and budget.