Cost of Living Kenya 2022

The cost of living Kenya 2022, summarizes current expenses in Nairobi. From how much a house costs to the price of a beer.

I am a British expat with a family of 5. This cost of living Kenya guide is geared towards expats living in Kenya. I am aware that the lifestyle and cost of living in Kenya is very different for the majorities of Kenyan’s living in Nairobi and Kenya.

This is an expat guide, although food / restaurant prices still apply in the main.


The Expat Guide to Nairobi

Get Expat Help and Advice HERE

The best resource for the Expat in Nairobi is my book The Expat Guide to Nairobi.  This invaluable guide gives you all the information on this blog and then a load more.  It is the ONLY downloadable expat guide to living in Nairobi and contains all the information I could cram into its 160 + pages.   For more information, go to the EBOOK page here.


Cost of living Kenya

This guide to the cost of living, Kenya is targetted to expatriates living in Kenya. As with all cities how much you will spend depends upon the the standard of living you expect, where will live in Kenya, and the number and ages of people in your family.

I’m also going to give you prices for the Karen area, which is a large expat community within Kenya.


Cost of living kenya 2022

Cost of living Kenya tips

  • Rents can be negotiated to include items such as a gardener, security, DSTV and internet within the monthly rent.
  • Bargaining is part of the culture. Except for shops within malls, the first price doesn’t need to be the last price.
  • Look out for deals in the large supermarket chains such as Carrefour.
  • Furniture is expensive. This blog shows you where to find the best shops for furnishing your new home.
  • There is a glut of skilled workers in Nairobi, so consider getting items made if you can’t find them in the shops. Facebook is a gem for finding craftspeople. Type Nairobi expat into the search bar on your Facebook page and a bunch of Nairobi Expat groups will come up.
  • PRICE ARE in KSH (Kenya Shillings and USD U.S Dollars) The exchange rate fluctuates, so be sure to check the day’s exchange rate for exact pricing.

Cost of housing in Nairobi

I have included prices for the Karen area of Nairobi which is one of the most affluent areas in the city.  Check out this blog which talks you through other areas that an expat may choose to rent in.

There are vastly cheaper housing options in Nairobi and the cost of living comes down considerably when you leave the city.

  • Large 4/5 bed house Karen area with security, garden, and possibly a pool 350,000 / 3,500 USD Per Calendar Month
  • Medium 2/3 bed house Karen area with garden 200,000 KSH / 2,000 USD PCM
  • Apartment (1 bedroom) Karen area:  70,000 KSH / 700 USD PCM
  • Apartment (1 bedroom) in city centre 80,000 KSH / 800 USD PCM
  • Apartment (3 bedrooms) in city centre 200,000 KSH / 2000 USD PCM
  • Apartment (3 bedrooms) Karen area 150,000 KSH / 1500 USD PCM

cost of living kenya 2022
Photo by Bruno Kelzer on Unsplash

How much do schools cost in Nairobi (Per Calendar Month)

  • Cost of one child at International school in pre K (The Banda School) 90,000 KSH / 900 USD
  • Cost of one child at International school in primary (The Banda School) 150,000 KSH / 15,000 USD
  • Cost of one child at International school in secondary (Hillcrest) 200,000 KSH / 2,000 USD
  • Cost of one child at local school in pre K (Nairobi Academy) 35,000 KSH / 350 USD
  • Cost of one child at local school in primary (Nairobi Academy) 60,000 KSH / 600 USD
  • Cost of one child at local school in secondary Nairobi Academy) 75,000 KSH / 750 USD

The cost of living in Kenya is massively influenced by the type and quality of education that you choose. Read my full guide on schools in Nairobi. I talk you through the state education system. The difference between private and local schools and list in detail the popular International schools in Nairobi.


How much do restaurants and food cost in Kenya?

  • Meal for one at a mid range restaurant: 2,500 KSH / 25 USD
  • Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle): 250 KSH / 2.50 USD
  • Cappuccino (regular): 250 KSH / 2.50 USD
  • Small bottle of water: 50 KSH / .50 USD
  • Milk 1 litre:  100 KSH / 1 USD
  • Loaf of Fresh White Bread:  100 KSH / 1 USD
  • Eggs (12): 300 KSH / 3 USD
  • Local Cheese 500g):  700 KSH / 7 USD
  • Chicken Breasts (500g): 650 USD / 6.50 USD
  • Apples (1kg): 300 KSH / 3 USD
  • Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range): 1,500 KSH / 15 USD

Cost of utilities in Kenya 2022 (Per Calendar Month)

(Monthly based on a medium sized 3 bed house)

  • Electricity: 20,000 KSH/ 200 USD
  • Water: 10,000 KSH / 100 USD
  • DSTV Premium package: 8,000 KSH / 80 USD
  • Ultimate Security (armed response team) :10,000 KSH / USD
  • Mobile phone : buy data bundle 1 month (5G or 34000 sec or 5100 SMS): 1,500 KSH / 15 USD
  • Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL): 6,000 KSH / 60 USD

Cost of medical expenses in Kenya 2022

I’d strongly advise you to get medical insurance to cover trips to the hospital. Get a travel insurance quote here

  • Visit to the doctors: 4,000 KSH / 40 USD
  • Cost of antibiotics: 2,000 KSH / 20 USD

Sports And Leisure in Nairobi

  • Fitness Club 1 hour class: 1,000 KSH / USD
  • Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend): 650 KSH / 6.50 USD
  • Cinema, International Release: 700. KSH / 7 USD

How Much are Salaries in Nairobi?

The cost of living,Kenya is considerably higher for people living in Nairobi. This isn’t just true of the expats, but also the local Kenyans.

As of 2022, these are fair salaries for Nairobi. It is perfectly possible to pay less for staff and infinitely desirable to pay more. Salaries for local Kenyans are far below what you will receive as an expat.

Domestic workers often work a 10 hour day and sometimes 6 days a week. Please consider additional money for transport (if living out) or food (if living in). As an employer, you handle NHIF (healthcare) and NSSF (pension) . The money should be added on to the standard salary and the employee handles pay it themselves. However, I always pay it myself to be certain that my staff are fully covered.

  • Domestic worker/house help: 35,000 KSH / 350 USD Per Calendar Month
  • Security guard: 35,000 KSH / 350 USD PCM
  • Gardener: 25,000 KSH / 250 USD PCM
  • Driver: 35,000 USD / 350 USD PCM

The cost of living Kenya 2022 – Luxuries

It’s easy to dismiss the luxuries, but they add up:

Make sure you add a good contingent in your budget for things that make you feel good when you are far from home.


Book Your Kenya Trip: Locally recommended Logistics

Find everything you need for visiting Kenya on my TRAVEL RESOURCES page

Find everything you need for moving to Kenya in my THE EXPAT GUIDE TO LIVING IN NAIROBI book

Book Your Flight
Use Jetradar to find a cheap flight. It is one of the largest airline booking engines in the world with over 750 airlines.

Book Your Accommodation
I always use Booking.com. They have the cheapest rates for hotels and guest houses in Kenya. Agoda sometimes features hotels that Booking.com hasn’t picked up. TripAdvisor is my go to portal for checking reviews on accommodation / restaurants in the local area. I never book without checking TripAdvisor first.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I recommend the following

Looking for Tour Guides in Kenya.

Check out GetYourGuide for tour trips to most popular tourist sites in Kenya. Or my tour guides page for local tour companies.

Cost of living in Nairobi 2021

Book Your Kenya Trip: Locally recommended Logistics

Find everything you need for visiting Kenya on my TRAVEL RESOURCES page

Find everything you need for moving to Kenya in my THE EXPAT GUIDE TO LIVING IN NAIROBI book

Book Your Flight
Use Jetradar to find a cheap flight. It is one of the largest airline booking engines in the world with over 750 airlines.

Book Your Accommodation
I always use Booking.com. They have the cheapest rates for hotels and guest houses in Kenya. Agoda sometimes features hotels that Booking.com hasn’t picked up. TripAdvisor is my go to portal for checking reviews on accommodation / restaurants in the local area. I never book without checking TripAdvisor first.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I recommend the following

Looking for Tour Guides in Kenya.

Check out GetYourGuide for tour trips to most popular tourist sites in Kenya. Or my tour guides page for local tour companies.

Sharing is caring!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This Post Has 9 Comments

  1. Monika

    I love this blog. I am considering relocating to Kenya; this is the most comprehensive and informative source of information backed with examples. I will be coming back for more! Regards, Monika

    1. Nadine

      Wow thanks. I really appreciate that

      1. Monika

        Hi Nadine, just read your introduction… we share the same previous employers… however, I am still in the corporate rat race and will have to continue for a while. Building my plan to relocate to Kenya and it will happen one day. Keep writing!

        1. Nadine

          OOoh who? VT ? Unilever – we must surely have people in common . come to kenya. Im happy to chat and share info