Travel budget and cost of living in Kenya how much does a trip cost?
Are you planning to go to Kenya and need to budget for your trip? On this page you can see sample prices. This enables you to get to grips with actual prices and the cost of living in Kenya. Then, why not use our free tool to calculate your Kenya travel budget.
Travel budget in Kenya
Kenya: calculate your travel budget
Kenya: sample budgets by traveller type
These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Kenya for 2 people.
Low budget
(backpacker)
Daily budget:
- $ 41 for 2 ppl.
- $ 7 per person
- $ 2.9 per person
- Free activities
Total budget:
$ 838* (88424 KES)
Average budget
(traveller)
Daily budget:
- $ 66 for 2 ppl.
- $ 17 per person
- $ 13 per person
- $ 7.5 per person
Total budget:
$ 1932* (203994 KES)
High budget
(tourist)
Daily budget:
- $ 128 for 2 ppl.
- $ 25 per person
- $ 32 per person
- $ 16 per person
Total budget:
$ 3763* (397390 KES)
* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).
Cost of living in Kenya in 2020
Cost of living: Kenya VS United States
On average, the cost of living in Kenya in 2020 is essentially the same as in the United States (USA)
The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices United States in in the United States (USA) and United States by types of expenses:
Explore each type of expense in detail:
Cost of living in Kenya by city
See the table below for the variation in the cost of living in different cities in Kenya compared to the national average.
| Cities | /Kenya | View Details |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | 18% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Nairobi |
| Nyeri | 5% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Nyeri |
| Thika | 3% less | Travel budget and cost of living in Thika |
| Kilifi | 4% less | Travel budget and cost of living in Kilifi |
| Eldoret | 5% less | Travel budget and cost of living in Eldoret |
| Mombasa | 6% less | Travel budget and cost of living in Mombasa |
Local prices in Kenya by expense type
Kenya: Restaurant budget
On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Kenya costs 50% less than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
$ 3.8/person
($ 1.9 to $ 9.4)
($ 1.9 to $ 9.4)
75% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 163 course dinner
$ 15/person
($ 8 to $ 24)
($ 8 to $ 24)
50% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 29McDonald's meal
$ 6.1/person
($ 4.8 to $ 9.4)
($ 4.8 to $ 9.4)
24% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 8.2Local beer
$ 2.4 for 500ml
($ 1.7 to $ 3.3)
($ 1.7 to $ 3.3)
53% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1Imported beer
$ 2.5 for 330ml
($ 1.7 to $ 3.8)
($ 1.7 to $ 3.8)
18% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3Cappuccino
$ 2.5/cup
($ 1 to $ 3.8)
($ 1 to $ 3.8)
41% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.3Fizzy drink
$ 0.5/can
($ 0.4 to $ 1)
($ 0.4 to $ 1)
72% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9Water bottle
$ 0.5/bottle
($ 0.2 to $ 1.1)
($ 0.2 to $ 1.1)
67% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.6Kenya: Hotel and accommodation budget
On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Kenya costs 40% less than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
$ 52/night
($ 49 to $ 55)
($ 49 to $ 55)
52% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1092-star hotel
$ 54/night
($ 34 to $ 90)
($ 34 to $ 90)
57% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1263-star hotel
$ 77/night
($ 42 to $ 130)
($ 42 to $ 130)
57% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1804-star hotel
$ 179/night
($ 122 to $ 247)
($ 122 to $ 247)
31% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2625-star hotel
$ 204/night
($ 169 to $ 254)
($ 169 to $ 254)
60% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 510Hotel/Youth Hostel
$ 41/month
($ 40 to $ 42)
($ 40 to $ 42)
69% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 136Room with kitchen
$ 102/month
($ 67 to $ 153)
($ 67 to $ 153)
39% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 169Hotel with swimming pool
$ 119/month
($ 75 to $ 180)
($ 75 to $ 180)
28% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 165Cottage or guest house
$ 58/month
($ 40 to $ 89)
($ 40 to $ 89)
74% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 223Family room
$ 298/month
($ 204 to $ 420)
($ 204 to $ 420)
71% more than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 175Kenya: Supermarket food budget
On average, the price of supermarket food in Kenya costs 50% less than in the United States (USA).
Milk
$ 0.8/litre
($ 0.5 to $ 1.1)
($ 0.5 to $ 1.1)
2% more than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9Bread
$ 0.5/500g
($ 0.5 to $ 1)
($ 0.5 to $ 1)
82% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8Rice
$ 1.4/kg
($ 1 to $ 2.4)
($ 1 to $ 2.4)
65% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.1Eggs
$ 1.7/12 eggs
($ 1.2 to $ 2.9)
($ 1.2 to $ 2.9)
31% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4Cheese
$ 9.1/kg
($ 2.9 to $ 20)
($ 2.9 to $ 20)
19% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12Chicken
$ 7/kg
($ 5.4 to $ 9.8)
($ 5.4 to $ 9.8)
22% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 9.1Apples
$ 2.3/kg
($ 0.8 to $ 3.8)
($ 0.8 to $ 3.8)
52% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.7Oranges
$ 1.4/kg
($ 0.6 to $ 3.3)
($ 0.6 to $ 3.3)
66% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.1Tomatoes
$ 1.1/kg
($ 0.6 to $ 1.9)
($ 0.6 to $ 1.9)
75% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.4Potatoes
$ 1.1/kg
($ 0.4 to $ 2.4)
($ 0.4 to $ 2.4)
60% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7Salad
$ 0.7/salad
($ 0.4 to $ 1.6)
($ 0.4 to $ 1.6)
56% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7Water bottle
$ 0.8
($ 0.5 to $ 1.6)
($ 0.5 to $ 1.6)
57% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9Joint of beef
$ 4.4/kg
($ 3.3 to $ 6.6)
($ 3.3 to $ 6.6)
64% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13Kenya: Public and private transport budget
On average, the price of transport in Kenya costs 12% less than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
$ 0.7/ticket
($ 0.5 to $ 1)
($ 0.5 to $ 1)
69% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4Bus pass
$ 32/month
($ 23 to $ 58)
($ 23 to $ 58)
59% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 75Taxi (per km)
$ 1.9/km
($ 0.8 to $ 2.9)
($ 0.8 to $ 2.9)
11% more than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7Petrol
$ 1.1/litre
($ 1 to $ 1.2)
($ 1 to $ 1.2)
50% more than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.7Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 1.9
($ 1.9 to $ 4.8)
($ 1.9 to $ 4.8)
43% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.3Car hire
$ 55/24hrs
($ 39 to $ 89)
($ 39 to $ 89)
40% more than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 40Kenya: Budget for living and housing
On average, the cost of housing in Kenya costs 60% less than in the United States (USA).
Electricity, water...
$ 41/month
($ 29 to $ 95)
($ 29 to $ 95)
75% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 165Mobile phone
$ 0/min.
75% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.1Broadband internet
$ 49/month
($ 29 to $ 95)
($ 29 to $ 95)
26% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 67Studio flat (city centre)
$ 291/month
($ 143 to $ 661)
($ 143 to $ 661)
79% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1391Studio flat (suburbs)
$ 145/month
($ 95 to $ 284)
($ 95 to $ 284)
87% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1112Flat (centre)
$ 659/month
($ 284 to $ 1416)
($ 284 to $ 1416)
70% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2230Flat (suburbs)
$ 366/month
($ 199 to $ 661)
($ 199 to $ 661)
79% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1762Gym
$ 46/month
($ 24 to $ 95)
($ 24 to $ 95)
18% more than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39Private nursery
$ 193/month
($ 114 to $ 472)
($ 114 to $ 472)
80% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 964Private primary school
$ 9232/yr
($ 4719 to $ 20762)
($ 4719 to $ 20762)
44% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16769Kenya: Leisure activity budget
On average, budget for leisure activities in Kenya costs 40% less than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
$ 7.5/ticket
($ 4.8 to $ 9.4)
($ 4.8 to $ 9.4)
38% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13Tennis
$ 9.1/hr
($ 4.8 to $ 15)
($ 4.8 to $ 15)
43% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 17Kenya: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes
On average, shopping budget in Kenya costs 47% less than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
$ 2.4/pack
($ 1.9 to $ 3.3)
($ 1.9 to $ 3.3)
71% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 8.2Levi's jeans
$ 24
($ 9.4 to $ 48)
($ 9.4 to $ 48)
48% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 46Summer dress
$ 28
($ 9.4 to $ 63)
($ 9.4 to $ 63)
28% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 38Trainers
$ 53
($ 24 to $ 95)
($ 24 to $ 95)
33% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 78Leather shoes
$ 46
($ 24 to $ 87)
($ 24 to $ 87)
54% less than in the United States (USA)
Average price in the United States (USA): $ 100Plane ticket budget
London → Nairobi
$ 745
(fair price: $ 602)
(fair price: $ 602)
New York City → Nairobi
$ 950
(fair price: $ 815)
(fair price: $ 815)
Manchester → Nairobi
$ 692
(fair price: $ 615)
(fair price: $ 615)
Los Angeles → Nairobi
$ 1039
(fair price: $ 900)
(fair price: $ 900)
Dublin → Nairobi
$ 652
(fair price: $ 570)
(fair price: $ 570)
Toronto (Ontario) → Nairobi
$ 1025
(fair price: $ 884)
(fair price: $ 884)
Edinburgh → Nairobi
$ 734
(fair price: $ 658)
(fair price: $ 658)
Sydney → Nairobi
$ 1529
(fair price: $ 1365)
(fair price: $ 1365)
Melbourne → Nairobi
$ 1467
(fair price: $ 1339)
(fair price: $ 1339)
Montreal → Nairobi
$ 1029
(fair price: $ 899)
(fair price: $ 899)
Perth → Nairobi
$ 1516
(fair price: $ 1367)
(fair price: $ 1367)
Auckland → Nairobi
$ 1629
(fair price: $ 1467)
(fair price: $ 1467)
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About the information on the cost of living in Kenya
The information about the cost of living in Kenya shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including : Numbeo, Easyvoyage and Hotels.com.
Information about cost of living in Kenya updated on 29-09-2020.