Cost Of Living For a Student in Nairobi 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: KES
Average monthly spending for students in Nairobi
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Nairobi?
Students in Nairobi spend around 83,000 KES per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 13,000 KES or as high as 550,000 KES. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Nairobi
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
| 530 KES | 800 KES | 1,600 KES |
Fine dining meal for one
| 1,100 KES | 1,600 KES | 6,400 KES |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 760 KES | 1,000 KES | 2,000 KES |
Average car 1-day rental
| 840 KES | 1,100 KES | 1,700 KES |
Average car price
| 380,000 KES | 760,000 KES | 1M KES |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 1,100 KES | 1,700 KES | 3,300 KES |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 500 KES | 3,300 KES | 22,000 KES |
Internet and cable
| 760 KES | 1,500 KES | 2,000 KES |
Mobile phone charges
| 610 KES | 1,000 KES | 3,100 KES |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
| 1,300 KES | 1,700 KES | 3,300 KES |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 980 KES | 1,400 KES | 2,100 KES |
Woman dress
| 930 KES | 1,300 KES | 4,200 KES |
Woman shoes
| 880 KES | 1,200 KES | 2,800 KES |
Men's shoes
| 760 KES | 930 KES | 1,900 KES |
Men suit
| 840 KES | 1,000 KES | 5,600 KES |
Regular t-shirt
| 420 KES | 560 KES | 1,700 KES |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 14,000 KES | 21,000 KES | 56,000 KES |
1-bedroom apartment
| 21,000 KES | 33,000 KES | 84,000 KES |
2-bedroom apartment
| 28,000 KES | 42,000 KES | 110,000 KES |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 2.8M KES | 4.2M KES | 8.4M KES |
1-bedroom apartment
| 3.3M KES | 5.6M KES | 21M KES |
2-bedroom apartment
| $39,000 | $120,000 | $230,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 15,000 KES | 19,000 KES | 25,000 KES |
Double Bed
| 10,000 KES | 15,000 KES | 19,000 KES |
Single Bed
| 9,000 KES | 12,000 KES | 15,000 KES |
Living Room
| 17,000 KES | 22,000 KES | 76,000 KES |
Dining Table
| 7,600 KES | 10,000 KES | 19,000 KES |
Sofa or Couch
| 10,000 KES | 14,000 KES | 31,000 KES |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 10,000 KES | 15,000 KES | 31,000 KES |
Fridge or Freezer
| 9,000 KES | 14,000 KES | 19,000 KES |
Washing Machine
| 12,000 KES | 17,000 KES | 31,000 KES |
Stove or Cooker
| 11,000 KES | 14,000 KES | 19,000 KES |
Mobile Phone
| 13,000 KES | 15,000 KES | 22,000 KES |
Laptop or Computer
| 14,000 KES | 17,000 KES | 31,000 KES |
How do students spend their money in Nairobi?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost19%
19% of total expenses on average (14% to 25%)
| LOW | $21 3,000 KES |
| AVERAGE | $140 20,000 KES |
| HIGH | $920 130,000 KES |
| Per Month |
Students in Nairobi typically spend from 14% to 25% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 19% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 20,000 KES with expenditure ranging from 3,000 KES to 130,000 KES. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $3.5 500 KES |
| AVERAGE | $23 3,300 KES |
| HIGH | $150 22,000 KES |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Nairobi ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 3,300 KES with 500 KES and 22,000 KES being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $6.1 880 KES |
| AVERAGE | $40 5,800 KES |
| HIGH | $270 39,000 KES |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 880 KES to 39,000 KES in a month on commuting with 5,800 KES being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $18 2,500 KES |
| AVERAGE | $120 17,000 KES |
| HIGH | $770 110,000 KES |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Nairobi is 17,000 KES. The cost of groceries can range between 2,500 KES to 110,000 KES. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $5.3 750 KES |
| AVERAGE | $35 5,000 KES |
| HIGH | $230 33,000 KES |
| Per Month |
Students in Nairobi allocate 6% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 750 KES to 33,000 KES with 5,000 KES being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
| LOW | $4.4 630 KES |
| AVERAGE | $29 4,100 KES |
| HIGH | $190 28,000 KES |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 630 KES to 28,000 KES with 4,100 KES being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $17 2,400 KES |
| AVERAGE | $110 16,000 KES |
| HIGH | $730 100,000 KES |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 16,000 KES per month with 2,400 KES being the minimum spent amount and 100,000 KES being the maximum.
Other Expenses18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $13 1,900 KES |
| AVERAGE | $87 12,000 KES |
| HIGH | $580 83,000 KES |
| Per Month |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Nairobi
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Nairobi?
Around 68% of surveyed students think that living in Nairobi is affordable with proper budgeting while 32% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Nairobi
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options66%
Few low-cost options34%
Based on the survey, 66% of the students living in Nairobi have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 34% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students of Nairobi whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes67%
No33%
Based on the survey, 33% of the students living in Nairobi said that they don't have an emergency fund while 67% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Kenya
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy55%
We asked student guardians and parents in Nairobi whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 45% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 55% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of Kenya have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 38% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 62% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance38%
Easily manages finances62%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Nairobi
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Nairobi
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 14,000 KES | 21,000 KES | 56,000 KES |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 21,000 KES | 33,000 KES | 84,000 KES |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 28,000 KES | 42,000 KES | 110,000 KES |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 33,000 KES | 56,000 KES | 150,000 KES |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 67,000 KES | 170,000 KES | 330,000 KES |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 56,000 KES | 84,000 KES | 240,000 KES |
House monthly rent cost
| 67,000 KES | 170,000 KES | 330,000 KES |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 84,000 KES | 210,000 KES | 330,000 KES |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Nairobi ranges between 14,000 KES and 56,000 KES, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 21,000 KES to 84,000 KES. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 28,000 KES and 110,000 KES per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 33,000 KES to 150,000 KES. The average rent of a townhouse in Nairobi is around 84,000 KES while house rental costs can be as high as 170,000 KES per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 84,000 KES to 330,000 KES per month.
Apartment and house prices in Nairobi
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 2.8M KES | 4.2M KES | 8.4M KES |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 3.3M KES | 5.6M KES | 21M KES |
2-bedroom apartment price
| $39,000 | $120,000 | $230,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| $130,000 | $200,000 | $590,000 |
Townhouse price
House price
| 28M KES | 170M KES | 240M KES |
Villa price
| 33M KES | 190M KES | 280M KES |
The average price of a studio apartment in Nairobi can range from 2.8M KES to 8.4M KES depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 3.3M KES to 21M KES. A villa can cost you 190M KES on average with prices ranging from 33M KES to 280M KES.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Nairobi will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 43 | x126 monthly income | 234 |
Property prices in Nairobi can be x126 to x234 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x126 multiples of the average monthly salary in Nairobi.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Nairobi is around 35%. This means that people pay 35% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 24% to 47% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
32% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 250 KES | 3,300 KES | 33,000 KES |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Nairobi
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Nairobi
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 500 KES | 3,300 KES | 22,000 KES |
Internet and cable cost
| 760 KES | 1,500 KES | 2,000 KES |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 610 KES | 1,000 KES | 3,100 KES |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 3,300 KES. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 760 KES to 2,000 KES with 1,500 KES being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 1,000 KES but can range between 610 KES and 3,100 KES depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Nairobi is around 6.8%. This means that people pay 6.8% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.4% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Nairobi
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Nairobi
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Nairobi is approximatly 310 KES with meal cost ranging from 150 KES to 510 KES. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 530 KES | 800 KES | 1,600 KES |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 530 KES and 1,600 KES with 800 KES being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Nairobi.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 1,100 KES | 1,600 KES | 6,400 KES |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 1,100 KES to 6,400 KES with the average cost being 1,600 KES for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Nairobi.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Nairobi is around 200 KES. Price ranges between 130 KES and 310 KES depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Nairobi is 120 KES. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 150 KES and the minimum being 100 KES depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 100 KES on average with 76 KES and 150 KES being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Nairobi is between 170 KES and 320 KES depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 220 KES.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 310 KES. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Nairobi costs around 110 KES on average with prices rangeing between 82 KES and 160 KES depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 31 KES to 76 KES. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 71 KES on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Nairobi is around 30%. This means that students spend 30% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 20% to 36% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 2,500 KES to 110,000 KES with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
