Cost of Living in Kenya 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Kenya is the Kenyan shilling (KES).
Monthly Living Costs in Kenya
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €690 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €845 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Kenya Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 34.8 |
| Rent index | 7.8 |
| Groceries index | 30.4 |
| Restaurant price index | 25.9 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 35.9 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 32.1 |
| Property price-to-income ratio | 17 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Kenya from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Finance | €15,000 |
| Engineering | €15,000 |
| Education | €9,000 |
| Construction | €9,000 |
| IT & Software | €8,000 |
| Hospitality | €6,500 |
| Retail | €6,000 |
| Healthcare | €5,000 |
Taxes in Kenya
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 10.6% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €5,958 |
| VAT / sales tax | 16% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 35% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €5,958 per month. After rent and essentials (€690), roughly €5,268 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Kenya Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | €450 | €120 | €35 | 34.8 |
| Ethiopia | €180 | €85 | €35 | 17 |
| Somalia | €180 | €65 | €15 | 15 |
| South Sudan | €180 | €45 | €5 | 3.3 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Kenya:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 22 residence and visa routes for Kenya — see the full Kenya visa programme list.
Lowest documented income requirement among tracked routes: €100 per month — Student's Pass (student route). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €690 per month to sustain a move to Kenya.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kenya expensive?
Kenya has a cost-of-living index of 34.8 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €450 per month and a single person spends about €690 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Kenya?
About €690 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €845 per month.
What is the average rent in Kenya?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €450 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €900 per month in Kenya. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Kenya?
Typical gross annual salaries in Kenya range from €5,000 (Healthcare) to €15,000 (Finance), based on our sector dataset.
Which residence route has the lowest income requirement for Kenya?
Among the 22 Kenya residence routes we track, the lowest documented income requirement is €100 per month (Student's Pass). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Ready for the next step? See the full Kenya country profile and the Kenya emigration guide.
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