Cost of living in Nairobi (Kenya) is 6% cheaper than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 416 prices entered by 96 different people.
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Food | - 14% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Nairobi (Kenya) is 14% cheaper than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Nairobi | Addis Ababa | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Shilling592 (243 Birr) | 363 Birr | - 33% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Shilling748 (307 Birr) | 391 Birr | - 21% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Shilling376 (154 Birr) | 279 Birr | - 45% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Shilling119 (49 Birr) | 69 Birr | - 29% | |
12 eggs, large | Shilling226 (93 Birr) | 125 Birr | - 26% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Shilling117 (48 Birr) | 32 Birr | + 51% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Shilling718 (295 Birr) | 271 Birr | + 9% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Shilling275 (113 Birr) | 214 Birr | - 47% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Shilling109 (45 Birr) | 30 Birr | + 48% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Shilling238 (98 Birr) | 46 Birr | + 110% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Shilling1,579 (649 Birr) | 240 Birr | + 170% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Shilling172 (70 Birr) | 64 Birr | + 10% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Shilling63 (26 Birr) | 32 Birr | - 20% | |
Housing | - 18% | |||
Housing in Nairobi (Kenya) is 18% cheaper than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Nairobi | Addis Ababa | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Shilling130,395 (53,563 Birr) | 54,489 Birr | - 2% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Shilling56,145 (23,063 Birr) | 35,724 Birr | - 35% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Shilling9,180 (3,771 Birr) | 2,358 Birr | + 60% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Shilling54,933 (22,565 Birr) | 27,042 Birr | - 17% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Shilling23,400 (9,612 Birr) | 19,468 Birr | - 51% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Shilling5,551 (2,280 Birr) | 1,867 Birr | + 22% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Shilling5,873 (2,412 Birr) | 3,616 Birr | - 33% | |
40” flat screen tv | Shilling43,448 (17,847 Birr) | 11,847 Birr | + 51% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Shilling10,014 (4,114 Birr) | 5,970 Birr | - 31% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Shilling985 (405 Birr) | 423 Birr | - 4% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Shilling1,119 (460 Birr) | 270 Birr | + 70% | |
Clothes | - 23% | |||
Clothes in Nairobi (Kenya) is 23% cheaper than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Nairobi | Addis Ababa | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Shilling2,095 (861 Birr) | 1,813 Birr | - 53% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Shilling2,759 (1,133 Birr) | 1,361 Birr | - 17% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Shilling5,660 (2,325 Birr) | 3,382 Birr | - 31% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Shilling5,773 (2,371 Birr) | 1,883 Birr | + 26% | |
Transportation | + 28% | |||
Transportation in Nairobi (Kenya) is 28% more expensive than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Nairobi | Addis Ababa | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Shilling2,467,240 (1,013,479 Birr) | 1,499,600 Birr | - 32% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Shilling161 (66 Birr) | 40 Birr | + 65% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Shilling4,100 (1,684 Birr) | 765 Birr | + 120% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Shilling1,241 (510 Birr) | 429 Birr | + 19% | |
Personal Care | - 36% | |||
Personal Care in Nairobi (Kenya) is 36% cheaper than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Nairobi | Addis Ababa | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Shilling276 (113 Birr) | 81 Birr | + 40% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Shilling1,324 (544 Birr) | 177 Birr | + 208% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Shilling2,897 (1,190 Birr) | 548 Birr | + 117% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Shilling351 (144 Birr) | 90 Birr | + 61% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Shilling366 (150 Birr) | 528 Birr | - 72% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Shilling493 (203 Birr) | 158 Birr | + 28% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Shilling140 (58 Birr) | 185 Birr | - 69% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Shilling157 (64 Birr) | 115 Birr | - 44% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Shilling791 (325 Birr) | 133 Birr | + 144% | |
Entertainment | + 3% | |||
Entertainment in Nairobi (Kenya) is about the same as in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Nairobi | Addis Ababa | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Shilling3,930 (1,615 Birr) | 1,236 Birr | + 31% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Shilling1,586 (651 Birr) | 239 Birr | + 172% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Shilling2,560 (1,052 Birr) | 2,989 Birr | - 65% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Shilling4,162 (1,710 Birr) | 2,253 Birr | - 24% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Shilling1,158 (476 Birr) | 569 Birr | - 16% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Shilling290 (119 Birr) | 63 Birr | + 90% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Shilling260 (107 Birr) | 64 Birr | + 66% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Shilling45,453 (18,671 Birr) | 12,506 Birr | + 49% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Shilling4.09 (1.68 Birr) | 3.13 Birr | - 46% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Shilling5,760 (2,366 Birr) | 2,309 Birr | + 2% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Shilling306 (126 Birr) | 230 Birr | - 45% | |
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TOTAL | - 6% |

These prices were last updated on March 22, 2023.
Exchange rate:
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require 165,000 Birr in Addis Ababa you would need to make just about 155,153 Birr (Shilling377,709) in Nairobi.
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