Cost of living in Nairobi
Nairobi, the bustling capital of Kenya, is a vibrant city known for its unique blend of urban and natural attractions. Understanding the cost of living in Nairobi is crucial for both residents and newcomers, as it impacts daily life and financial planning.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the cost of living in Nairobi for 2024, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $4.25 on average, with a range between $1.93 and $10.04.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $30.9, with prices ranging from $19.31 to $61.8.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $6.18, with a range between $4.63 and $7.72.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $1.78 to $3.48, imported beer $2.32 to $4.63, cappuccino $1.54 to $4.63, and Coke/Pepsi $0.39 to $1.38.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced between $0.54 and $1.28 per liter, averaging $0.89.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.46 and $1.04, with an average price of $0.56.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.39 to $2.32, averaging $1.74.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $0.93 to $3.86 per kg, while oranges range from $0.77 to $3.86 per kg.
- Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.46 and $2.16 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.39 to $1.54 per head.
Transportation
- Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $0.54 and $1.54, with a monthly pass priced between $23.17 and $46.35.
- Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.46 and $1.7 per liter.
- Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $1.39, with a cost of $1.16 to $2.32 per km and $2.16 to $5.41 per hour of waiting.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $231.75 to $927, averaging $466.21.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $115.87 to $386.25, averaging $171.29.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $695.25 to $1931.25, averaging $1091.93.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $270.37 to $803.4, averaging $430.82.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $927 to $3000, averaging $1569.91.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $618 to $1700, averaging $1036.96.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $15.45 and $61.8, averaging $30.9.
- Internet - Internet services range from $23.17 to $61.8, with an average cost of $40.04.
Cost of Living Rankings
Nairobi ranks 1st on the Cost of Living rankings in Kenya. The cost of living indices for Kenya are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Kenya, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Cost of Living Data
Restaurants
Restaurants
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Transportation
Transportation
Rent Per Month
Rent Per Month
Utilities (Monthly)
Utilities (Monthly)
Sports And Leisure
Sports And Leisure
Clothing And Shoes
Clothing And Shoes
Buy Apartment Price
Buy Apartment Price
Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Childcare
Childcare
"Key Takeaways"
Nairobi offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many global cities, with reasonable prices for dining and groceries.
Housing costs vary significantly depending on location, with city centre apartments being more expensive than those outside the centre.
Transportation is affordable, especially public transport, though owning a car can be costly due to fuel prices.
Utilities and internet services are moderately priced, contributing to the overall affordability of living in Nairobi.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Nairobi presents a balanced cost of living with affordable options in dining, transportation, and housing, especially outside the city centre.
Potential residents should consider their lifestyle preferences and budget when planning a move to Nairobi, as costs can vary widely based on location and personal choices.