What is the cost of living in Nairobi?

The cost of living in Nairobi is 80.5% cheaper than New York City (index: 19.5). Groceries are 65.0% cheaper than NYC. Restaurants are 68.7% cheaper than NYC. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs approximately KES 57,832 per month. Local purchasing power index is 40.6 (NYC = 100).

🇰🇪 Kenya · #509 of 577 cities · 2026

Should I Move to Nairobi?

Q: Should I move to Nairobi?

Nairobi, Kenya has a cost of living 80.5% cheaper than New York City (index: 19.5). It is ranked #509 out of 577 cities globally. Local purchasing power is weak (index: 40.6 vs NYC = 100). Use our salary comparison calculator to see exactly how your take-home pay would change.

80.5% cheaper to live here than in New York City.

Run the calculator below with your actual salary to get a personalised answer.

-80.5%

vs NYC

KES 57,832

1-BR, city centre

40.6

Purchasing Power

Weak

Purchasing Power

Cost index: Numbeo, blended with Expatistan and LivingCost where available (NYC = 100) · Data from March – October 2026

Personalised Answer

Compare your salary: move to Nairobi?

Cost breakdown: Nairobi

Cost indices vs NYC = 100

Cost of Living

19.5 Affordable

Rent

10.5 Very affordable

Groceries

35.0 Affordable

Restaurants

31.3 Very affordable

Purchasing Power

40.6 Weak

Rent in Nairobi

1-BR, city centre KES 57,832/mo

1-BR, outside centre KES 28,115/mo

3-BR, city centre KES 145,573/mo

3-BR, outside centre KES 65,530/mo

Save by going outside centre 51% cheaper

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Considering alternatives?

Cities in the same country or region with a comparable cost of living.

🇹🇿 Dar es Salaam

Tanzania

CoL index 19.5

Compare Dar es Salaam vs Nairobi →

🇲🇦 Marrakech

Morocco

CoL index 19.7

Compare Marrakech vs Nairobi →

🇧🇼 Gaborone

Botswana

CoL index 20.6

Compare Gaborone vs Nairobi →

Ready to run the numbers?

Enter your salary and current city. Get exact take-home pay in Nairobi after tax, in seconds.

Compare salaries → Full cost of living data

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