Moving to Nairobi hits you with a mix of excitement, curiosity, and “okay… what’s this actually going to cost me?”

It’s one of Africa’s most dynamic cities, and expats settle here for all kinds of reasons—work, family, lifestyle, or just a change of pace.

But like any major city, your comfort level depends on how well you understand the real numbers, the culture, and the day-to-day rhythm.

This guide breaks down housing, transport, food, social life, safety, culture, and even the little things you’d never think about until you get here.

1. Understanding Nairobi’s Neighborhoods

Your lifestyle starts with where you live. Nairobi has a wide range of neighbourhoods, some quiet and green, others busy and central.

If you want a smooth landing, many expats choose furnished apartments because they make settling in way easier—no furniture shopping, no setting up utilities, and no landlord surprises.

If that’s the vibe you want, The Skyline Collection has serviced apartments in Nairobi’s most popular expat districts, including:

You can also browse the full lineup of furnished apartments in Nairobi if you want to compare options.

How much does rent cost?

Here’s an honest range for expat-friendly housing:

  • 1-bedroom serviced apartment: KES 90,000–150,000/month

  • 2-bedroom serviced apartment: KES 140,000–220,000/month

  • 3-bedroom serviced apartment: KES 180,000–300,000/month

Regular unfurnished rentals cost less on paper, but once you factor in furniture, appliances, security, internet, gym fees, and utilities, the gap shrinks.

2. How Much You’ll Spend on Food

Your food budget depends on how you eat.

Groceries

If you shop at Carrefour, Quickmart, or Naivas:

  • Solo expat: KES 20,000–35,000/month

  • Couples: KES 35,000–55,000/month

Imported items—cheese, berries, almond milk, wine—push your bill up quickly. Local brands cut your costs.

Eating Out

Nairobi has everything: street kiosks, local cafés, international restaurants, and upscale dining.

  • Local meals: KES 200–400

  • Mid-range restaurants: KES 800–1,500

  • Upscale dining: KES 2,000–5,000 per person

Brunch culture is alive and well, so budget extra if you love your weekend mimosas.

3. Transportation Costs

How much you spend moving around depends on your lifestyle.

Option 1: Ride-hailing apps

Uber, Bolt, and Little Cab are everywhere.
Average costs:

  • Short trips: KES 200–400

  • Cross-town trips: KES 700–1,200

  • Airport (JKIA to Westlands/Kilimani): KES 1,200–2,000

Option 2: Renting a car

If you want independence without buying a vehicle, check out The Skyline Collection’s car hire in Nairobi. Weekly and monthly rentals usually make the most sense for expats who like exploring or commute often.

Option 3: Owning a car

Getting your own car is possible, but:

  • Import taxes are high

  • Fuel sits around KES 180–210/litre

  • Insurance ranges widely

  • Traffic is… yeah, it’s traffic

For most new arrivals, ride-hailing + occasional rentals feels cleaner and cheaper.

4. Utilities and Monthly Bills

If you live in a serviced apartment, many of these costs get rolled into your rent. That means fewer surprises and fewer errands.

If not, here’s what to expect:

  • Electricity (Kenya Power): KES 3,000–8,000/month depending on usage

  • Internet (Zuku, Safaricom Fiber): KES 2,900–6,000/month

  • Gas for cooking: KES 2,000–4,000 every few months

  • Water: Often included in service charge

Serviced apartments usually bundle internet, water, cleaning, and sometimes even electricity. If you want convenience, check out the fully serviced apartments in Nairobi.

5. Healthcare Costs

Kenya has strong private healthcare—fast service, modern facilities, and English-speaking doctors.

Common costs:

  • GP consultation: KES 1,500–4,000

  • Specialist: KES 3,000–6,000

  • Basic meds: KES 500–2,000

Many expats get private insurance through their employer or buy a local plan from Jubilee, AAR, or APA.

6. Work Culture and Daily Life

Working in Nairobi comes with its own rhythm.

Time

Kenyan time can run a bit flexible, but business meetings in corporate settings usually start on time. Social meetups… vary.

Communication

People appreciate politeness and warmth.
A simple “Habari yako?” or “Sasa?” goes a long way.

Safety

Nairobi is like any big city—you stay aware, avoid dark alleys, and don’t flash valuables. Neighborhood choice matters a lot here, which is why many expats lean toward Lavington, Westlands, Kileleshwa, and Kilimani.

7. Social Life and Entertainment

Nairobi has an active social scene. You’ll find:

  • Gyms and fitness studios

  • Hiking groups

  • Brunch spots

  • Bars and lounges

  • Art galleries and pop-up markets

Average monthly “fun” budget:

  • Casual social life: KES 10,000–20,000

  • Active nightlife: KES 30,000–50,000

  • Fitness classes: KES 6,000–15,000/month

8. Education (If You’re Moving with Kids)

International schools are high-quality but expensive:

  • KES 600,000–1,200,000 per year on average

  • Some go higher

Many families choose Nairobi specifically because of the school options, but you’ll want to budget carefully.

9. Hidden Costs People Forget

A few things often surprise newcomers:

1. Household staff

Many households hire a part-time cleaner or “househelp.”

  • 1–2 days/week: KES 1,000–2,000/day

2. Water shortages

Some neighborhoods experience occasional rationing.
Serviced apartments usually manage this for you with backup tanks.

3. Power outages

They happen. Most serviced buildings have generators.

4. Furnishing a house

If you rent unfurnished, the cost of furniture, appliances, curtains, kitchenware, and decor adds up fast. Serviced units remove that entire layer of stress.

10. How Much It Really Costs to Live Comfortably

Here’s a realistic monthly budget depending on your lifestyle.

A. Budget lifestyle

  • Rent (studio/1-bed): KES 45,000–70,000

  • Groceries: KES 15,000–25,000

  • Transport: KES 8,000

  • Eating out: KES 5,000

  • Misc: KES 5,000

Total: KES 75,000–110,000

B. Mid-range expat lifestyle (most common)

  • Rent (serviced 1/2-bed): KES 90,000–180,000

  • Groceries: KES 25,000–40,000

  • Transport (rides + rentals): KES 12,000–20,000

  • Eating out + social life: KES 20,000–40,000

  • Gym, errands, data, extras: KES 10,000–15,000

Total: KES 160,000–300,000

C. High-end lifestyle

  • Rent (top-tier serviced 2–3 bed): KES 200,000–350,000

  • Groceries: KES 40,000–60,000

  • Transport: KES 25,000–50,000

  • Dining + nightlife: KES 50,000–100,000

  • Extras: KES 20,000+

Total: KES 350,000–550,000+

11. Final Tip: Settle In Slowly

When you first arrive, don’t rush. Spend a month getting the lay of the land. Try different neighborhoods. Compare serviced and unfurnished options. Talk to locals and other expats.

If you want a smooth start with zero setup stress, browse The Skyline Collection’s serviced apartments in Nairobi.

Areas like Westlands, Kilimani, Kileleshwa, and Lavington are ideal if you want security, convenience, and easy access to work and social spots.

And if you need a car for the first few weeks, grab one from their Nairobi car hire options to get around comfortably.