If you’re planning to move to Kenya’s capital, you probably want to know the real cost of living in Nairobi. Not the sugar-coated version. Not the “average salary vs. rent” charts. You want to know what you’ll actually spend each month based on the lifestyle you choose.

Nairobi can be affordable, expensive, or somewhere in between. It all depends on where you live, how you move around, where you shop, and the kind of comfort you want.

This guide breaks everything down clearly so you know what to expect—and how to budget realistically.

1. The Biggest Cost: Rent

Housing will shape most of your monthly expenses, so start by understanding how rent works in Nairobi.

a) Serviced & furnished apartments

If you want convenience, flexibility, and predictable bills, serviced apartments make sense. They usually include cleaning, Wi-Fi, water, furnishings, and sometimes electricity.

You can find reliable options through The Skyline Collection, which offers a range of furnished and serviced apartments in Nairobi.

b) Regular rentals

If you go unfurnished, expect lower rent but higher upfront costs. You’ll buy furniture, pay deposits, handle repairs, and sort utilities on your own.

Typical monthly rent ranges

These are averages for 1–2 bedroom apartments:

  • Westlands: 80,000–200,000 KES (higher for modern buildings)

  • Kileleshwa: 70,000–150,000 KES

  • Lavington: 90,000–220,000 KES

  • Kilimani: 60,000–150,000 KES

  • Parklands: 60,000–140,000 KES

  • Ngong Road area: 40,000–100,000 KES

  • South B/C: 35,000–80,000 KES

  • Roysambu/Kasarani: 25,000–50,000 KES

If you prefer convenience over chaos, choose a serviced unit. You skip the agent fees, avoid surprises, and move in immediately.

2. Utilities and Household Bills

Your next set of expenses depends heavily on the building you choose.

Electricity (Kenya Power)

Expect:

  • 1-bedroom: 1,500–3,000 KES per month

  • 2-bedroom: 2,500–6,000 KES per month

  • With heavy appliances (AC/heaters): 6,000–15,000 KES per month

Backup generators in premium buildings may add fuel surcharges.

Water

Water is cheap if your estate has reliable supply. But many don’t. You might need water deliveries (20,000L tankers), which can cost 2,000–6,000 KES per month in older or high-density areas.

Internet

Most Nairobi buildings support fiber internet from providers like Safaricom and Zuku.

Common rates:

  • 40 Mbps: 2,300–3,000 KES

  • 100 Mbps: 4,000–6,000 KES

Garbage collection

Usually 200–500 KES per household per month.

Service charge

Some apartments charge 3,000–10,000 KES monthly for:

  • Security

  • Cleaning of common areas

  • Generator maintenance

  • Garbage

  • Borehole management

Most serviced apartments include utilities in the rent—one reason they appeal to expats and busy professionals.

3. Food and Groceries

Your food bill depends on whether you cook, order in, or dine out.

Cooking at home

A realistic monthly grocery budget:

  • Single person: 12,000–25,000 KES

  • Couple: 20,000–40,000 KES

  • Family: 35,000–70,000 KES

Shopping at Carrefour, Naivas, or Chandarana gives you consistent prices. Local markets (like City Market or Marikiti) can be cheaper but require bargaining.

Eating out

Nairobi has every price point:

  • Local eateries: 200–500 KES per meal

  • Mid-range restaurants: 800–1,800 KES per meal

  • Upper-mid restaurants (Kilimani/Westlands): 2,000–3,500 KES

  • Fine dining: 3,500–10,000+ KES per person

Food delivery

Apps like Glovo and Uber Eats add convenience but increase costs.

Expect:

  • Meals: 600–1,500 KES

  • Delivery fees: 100–300 KES

If you like eating out often, Nairobi becomes expensive quickly.

4. Transportation Costs

Your transport budget depends on how you move around the city.

Matatus (public transport)

Cheap but unpredictable.
Cost:

  • 50–150 KES per trip depending on distance and time of day.

Ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt, Little)

Most expats and professionals rely on these.

Typical costs:

  • Short trips: 200–350 KES

  • Medium trips (CBD to Westlands/Kilimani): 350–700 KES

  • Longer trips: 700–1,500 KES

If you take 2–4 rides a day, your monthly bill can hit 15,000–40,000 KES.

Renting a car

If you want more control, renting makes sense—especially if you move around a lot for work or live far from your workplace.

You can book through our car hire Nairobi service.

Fuel

As of 2025, petrol ranges around 190–220 KES per litre.

Parking

  • CBD: 200 KES per day

  • Malls: 50–200 KES depending on hours

  • Estates: Usually free

5. Mobile Phone Costs

Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom offer data bundles and voice plans.

Typical monthly spending:

  • Light user: 500–1,000 KES

  • Moderate user: 1,000–2,000 KES

  • Heavy data user: 2,000–3,500 KES

Safaricom is the most reliable, but also the most expensive.

6. Entertainment and Lifestyle

Your lifestyle has a huge impact on the cost of living in Nairobi.

Gyms

  • Budget gyms: 2,000–4,000 KES/month

  • Mid-range: 5,000–10,000 KES/month

  • Premium gyms (Westlands/Lavington): 12,000–20,000 KES/month

Nightlife

Nairobi’s nightlife scene is vibrant—and pricey.

Expect:

  • Drinks: 300–800 KES

  • Cocktails: 800–1,500 KES

  • Cover charges in some clubs: 500–1,500 KES

A night out with friends can easily cost 2,000–8,000 KES.

Streaming subscriptions

  • Netflix: 1,100–1,500 KES

  • Showmax: 450–1,200 KES

  • Spotify: 300–600 KES

7. Healthcare and Insurance

Nairobi has good private hospitals, but they aren’t cheap. Most professionals carry insurance.

Insurance premiums

  • Basic cover: 3,000–5,000 KES/month

  • Mid-tier cover: 6,000–12,000 KES/month

  • Premium cover: 12,000–25,000 KES/month

Walk-in consultations

  • Private hospital: 2,500–5,000 KES

  • Specialist: 4,000–7,000 KES

Medication adds extra depending on the condition.

8. Household Help (Optional but Common)

Most middle-class Nairobi households hire part-time help.

Typical rates:

  • Part-time cleaner: 500–1,000 KES per visit

  • Live-in house help: 10,000–15,000 KES/month

Serviced apartments usually include cleaning, so you skip these costs entirely.

9. Total Monthly Cost of Living in Nairobi (By Lifestyle)

Here’s a realistic breakdown so you can budget properly.

a) Budget Lifestyle (40,000–80,000 KES per month)

For students, interns, or remote workers wanting to save.

  • Rent: 20,000–35,000 KES

  • Utilities + Internet: 3,000–6,000 KES

  • Food: 10,000–18,000 KES

  • Transport: 4,000–10,000 KES

  • Miscellaneous: 3,000–8,000 KES

You’ll live in areas like Roysambu, Kasarani, or South B.

b) Mid-Range Lifestyle (100,000–180,000 KES per month)

Most expats and young professionals fall here.

  • Rent: 50,000–100,000 KES

  • Utilities + Internet: 8,000–15,000 KES

  • Food: 15,000–30,000 KES

  • Transport: 10,000–25,000 KES

  • Entertainment + Gym: 5,000–15,000 KES

  • Miscellaneous: 10,000–20,000 KES

You’ll likely live in Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Lavington, or Westlands.

c) Premium Lifestyle (200,000–450,000+ KES per month)

For people who want comfort, convenience, and modern amenities.

  • Rent: 120,000–250,000+ KES

  • Utilities + Internet: 15,000–30,000 KES

  • Food: 30,000–60,000 KES

  • Transport/Car: 40,000–100,000 KES

  • Entertainment: 15,000–40,000 KES

  • Miscellaneous: 20,000–40,000 KES

This bracket fits serviced living, which removes a lot of hidden costs. You’ll find these units in areas like Lavington, Kileleshwa, Kilimani, and Westlands—exactly where The Skyline Collection manages apartments.

10. When Serviced Apartments Make More Sense Financially

If you’re new to Nairobi—or expect to stay for less than a year—serviced apartments can actually save you money.

You avoid:

  • Buying furniture

  • Paying agent commissions

  • Deposits for utilities

  • Repair expenses

  • Cleaning costs

  • Wi-Fi installation

  • Unpredictable water bills

You can browse all our serviced apartments in Nairobi for options in prime neighbourhoods.

Final Thoughts

The cost of living in Nairobi depends entirely on your choices. Nairobi can be affordable if you keep things simple. It can also be premium and comfortable if you’re willing to pay more. Either way, knowing the real numbers helps you plan better.

If you want convenience from day one, serviced apartments give you the smoothest start. And if you need a car to get around the city easily, you can book one through our car hire Nairobi service.