Cost of living in Nairobi (Kenya) is 77% more expensive 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 454 prices entered by 41 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 35% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Nairobi (Kenya) is 35% more expensive than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Addis Ababa | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Shilling701 (721 Birr) | 728 Birr | - 1% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Shilling794 (816 Birr) | 926 Birr | - 12% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Shilling445 (458 Birr) | 414 Birr | + 11% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Shilling133 (137 Birr) | 94 Birr | + 45% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Shilling226 (233 Birr) | 187 Birr | + 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Shilling96 (98 Birr) | 68 Birr | + 45% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Shilling865 (890 Birr) | 350 Birr | + 154% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Shilling282 (290 Birr) | 353 Birr | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Shilling127 (131 Birr) | 33 Birr | + 291% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Shilling292 (300 Birr) | 55 Birr | + 448% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Shilling1,652 (1,698 Birr) | 582 Birr | + 192% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Shilling187 (192 Birr) | 90 Birr | + 113% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Shilling43 (45 Birr) | 53 Birr | - 15% | |
| Housing | + 118% | |||
| Housing in Nairobi (Kenya) is 118% more expensive 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 | Shilling183,611 (188,811 Birr) | 79,776 Birr | + 137% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Shilling103,432 (106,362 Birr) | 48,189 Birr | + 121% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Shilling7,580 (7,795 Birr) | 2,530 Birr | + 208% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Shilling65,217 (67,064 Birr) | 44,540 Birr | + 51% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Shilling51,769 (53,235 Birr) | 26,475 Birr | + 101% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Shilling4,543 (4,671 Birr) | 4,150 Birr | + 13% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Shilling3,526 (3,626 Birr) | 961 Birr | + 278% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Shilling36,012 (37,032 Birr) | 43,688 Birr | - 15% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Shilling14,451 (14,860 Birr) | 9,193 Birr | + 62% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Shilling705 (725 Birr) | 282 Birr | + 157% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Shilling510 (524 Birr) | 275 Birr | + 91% | |
| Clothes | + 97% | |||
| Clothes in Nairobi (Kenya) is 97% more expensive than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Addis Ababa | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Shilling2,655 (2,730 Birr) | 2,355 Birr | + 16% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Shilling3,661 (3,765 Birr) | 1,667 Birr | + 126% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Shilling9,384 (9,650 Birr) | 3,703 Birr | + 161% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Shilling8,210 (8,442 Birr) | 3,836 Birr | + 120% | |
| Transportation | + 151% | |||
| Transportation in Nairobi (Kenya) is 151% 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 | Shilling2,492,120 (2,562,705 Birr) | 1,911,310 Birr | + 34% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Shilling180 (185 Birr) | 81 Birr | + 129% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Shilling4,540 (4,669 Birr) | 1,280 Birr | + 265% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Shilling1,816 (1,867 Birr) | 551 Birr | + 239% | |
| Personal Care | + 15% | |||
| Personal Care in Nairobi (Kenya) is 15% more expensive than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Addis Ababa | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Shilling291 (299 Birr) | 320 Birr | - 6% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Shilling986 (1,013 Birr) | 1,734 Birr | - 42% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Shilling2,131 (2,192 Birr) | 1,508 Birr | + 45% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Shilling344 (354 Birr) | 116 Birr | + 205% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Shilling313 (322 Birr) | 295 Birr | + 9% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Shilling482 (495 Birr) | 153 Birr | + 223% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Shilling158 (162 Birr) | 62 Birr | + 162% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Shilling147 (151 Birr) | 88 Birr | + 73% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Shilling786 (809 Birr) | 338 Birr | + 139% | |
| Entertainment | + 15% | |||
| Entertainment in Nairobi (Kenya) is 15% more expensive than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Addis Ababa | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Shilling2,475 (2,545 Birr) | 1,527 Birr | + 67% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Shilling1,856 (1,909 Birr) | 217 Birr | + 782% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Shilling2,912 (2,995 Birr) | 5,498 Birr | - 46% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Shilling4,871 (5,009 Birr) | 2,618 Birr | + 91% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Shilling827 (850 Birr) | 175 Birr | + 385% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Shilling366 (376 Birr) | 1,760 Birr | - 79% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Shilling320 (329 Birr) | 93 Birr | + 253% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Shilling51,227 (52,678 Birr) | 29,628 Birr | + 78% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Shilling4.44 (4.56 Birr) | 20 Birr | - 77% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Shilling6,664 (6,853 Birr) | 2,222 Birr | + 208% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Shilling314 (323 Birr) | 310 Birr | + 4% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 77% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 454 prices entered by 41 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 27, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.028
ETB
/
KES
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For example, you would need at least 432,097 Birr (Shilling420,196) in Nairobi to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 244,000 Birr in Addis Ababa.
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