MigrantoCost of living in Kenya
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in Kenya
Spending runs from KES 7,510 a month in the poorest fifth to KES 49,300 in the richest
Per person, whole country
KES 16,600
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
KES 7,510richest 20%
KES 49,300
Where people spend money in Kenya
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in Kenya in numbers
Groceries takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 39% of spending here, or KES 6,470 a month, against 19.7% in a typical country, 19.3 points more.
Typical spending takes 89% of the average wage
A typical person spends KES 16,600 a month while the average take-home wage is KES 18,600, so 11% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
How living costs in Kenya compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Kenya against other countries
Cheaper than 77% of countries
Where Kenya sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs KES 129,000 at world-middle prices costs KES 99,500 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2024 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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What it costs to live in Kenya
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Cost of living in Kenya
KES 7,510/mo
vs KES 104,000 in your country
Take-home
KES 23,800
vs KES 155,000 in your country
Potential savings
KES 16,300
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Kenya?
A typical person in Kenya spends about KES 16,600 a month — around KES 199,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Kenya?
By spending, Kenya ranks #144 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about KES 16,600 a month, the poorest 20% about KES 7,510 and the richest 20% about KES 49,300. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in Kenya in US dollars?
The cost of living in Kenya is about $128 a month, or roughly $1,536 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Kenya?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about KES 7,510 a month per person, a typical one around KES 16,600, and a comfortable life around KES 22,500. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Kenya?
The biggest expense is groceries, at about KES 6,470 a month (39% of spending). Then come housing (KES 2,330, 14%) and transport (KES 2,200, 13%).
Is the average salary in Kenya enough to live on?
In most cases yes, but without much of a cushion. Average spending is about KES 16,600 a month, while the average take-home pay in Kenya is about KES 18,600. For more on incomes, see salaries in Kenya.
Is Kenya an expensive country to live in?
No. Kenya is more expensive than 22% of countries worldwide and ranks 20th of 53 in Africa by cost of living.
What currency is used in Kenya?
Kenya uses the Kenyan Shilling (KES). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
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Living in Kenya
See the full country overview