Expats weighing up the cost of living in Nairobi will likely earn a good salary, and employers often cover major expenses through perks. These could include housing allowances, company cars, health insurance contributions, education benefits, and visa and permit charges.

Don’t be fooled into thinking the cost of living in Nairobi is cheap, though. It is possible to live on a budget, but many expats prefer imported goods and services, which come at a price. Your chief expenses in Nairobi will be accommodation, school fees, transport, food, clothes, and utilities.

Cost of accommodation in Nairobi

The cost of accommodation in Nairobi depends on location, and suitable quality accommodation can be expensive. Returning Kenyans and foreign professionals have pushed up rents in the more sought-after areas, so expect some volatility. Expat employers typically offer to cover this expense. This offer can also include the security deposit, which is typically one to two months’ rent but can run to three in a tight market. Utilities such as electricity, water, internet, and refuse collection are likely to be your responsibility.

An accommodation-related expense you may not anticipate is security. If you live in a gated community, this is typically included in the rental costs, but it’s unlikely to be the case in standalone homes.

Accommodation in Nairobi
Working in Nairobi

Cost of transport in Nairobi

Many expats weighing the cost of transport in Nairobi prefer to own a car for the added freedom it offers. Cars can be expensive to buy in Nairobi, especially newer or well-kept models. Once you have purchased a car, you may also opt to hire a driver. Chauffeurs are relatively affordable and worth considering, as Nairobi’s traffic can be stressful to drive in.

Renting a car is a cheaper alternative to buying and can be more convenient if you will only be in the country for a limited time. Some people, especially those in top executive positions, will have a company car and driver provided for them.

The main form of public transport in Kenya is the matatu, a van or minibus that runs a fixed or semi-fixed route. Fares are cheap, but the vehicles are often overcrowded and frequently fall short of safety standards. The government is tightening regulation of the sector through cashless fares, licensed terminals, published fare schedules, and stricter operating rules, although overcrowding remains a concern.

Street taxis are still common, and because they rarely use meters or a standard fare, you should agree on a price with the driver before setting off. For most expats, though, app-based ride-hailing is now the default way to get around.

If you drive, you can pay the toll to use the Nairobi Expressway and skip a long crawl through the city centre.

Getting Around in Nairobi

Cost of groceries in Nairobi

The cost of groceries in Nairobi is manageable if you shop local, but imported items soon add up. Supermarkets stock both local and imported products. Local produce is relatively affordable, but imported goods like cheese, meat, wine, and packaged foods are surprisingly expensive because of import taxes and shipping costs. Kenya applies average tariffs of around 25 percent, and some imports are charged duties of up to 100 percent.

Cost of entertainment and eating out in Nairobi

The cost of entertainment and eating out in Nairobi need not be high, whether you fancy the outdoors or a night out at a local bar. Nairobi National Park is just south of the city and is a popular attraction for locals and visitors alike. The Kenya Wildlife Service charges non-residents considerably more than residents to enter. It also sells a bundled Nairobi Package that pairs the park with the Safari Walk and Animal Orphanage. Shopping and dining in the city are relatively affordable, although costs can add up quickly if you’re not mindful of your spending.

If you cook at home, you can save substantially, but dining out is also popular. Nairobi has a busy food scene, and you can find Kenyan, Indian, continental, and international dishes across the city. As with groceries, dining at high-end restaurants that serve imported ingredients costs more than eating local dishes at smaller places.

Lifestyle, Shopping, Eating Out and Attractions in Nairobi

Cost of education in Nairobi

The cost of education in Nairobi is a major expense for expat families, most of whom send their children to fee-paying international schools. Apart from fees, there may also be additional expenses for registration, transport, food, and field trips. It’s common for expat employers to include some form of education allowance in their package. If this isn’t included in the initial offer, we recommend you negotiate for it.

International Schools in Nairobi

Cost of healthcare in Nairobi

The cost of quality private healthcare in Nairobi is roughly equivalent to rates in Western countries. Day-to-day treatment is relatively affordable, but health insurance is recommended, especially for emergencies or medical evacuation. Leading private hospitals such as Aga Khan University Hospital and Nairobi Hospital provide excellent care, but can be expensive without proper coverage.

There are plenty of health insurance providers in Nairobi. Most people have health insurance included in their salary package.

Healthcare and Hospitals in Nairobi

Cost of living in Nairobi chart

Prices are listed in Kenyan shillings (KES) and may vary depending on the product and service provider. The list below shows average prices for Nairobi in July 2026.