Cost of living in Kenya compared to Italy
Currency:
Food | - 54% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Kenya is 54% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
Kenya | Italy | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Shilling648 (€4.38) | €17 | - 74% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Shilling755 (€5.10) | €11 | - 52% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Shilling495 (€3.34) | €5.49 | - 39% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Shilling99 (€0.67) | €1.57 | - 57% | |
12 eggs, large | Shilling241 (€1.63) | €4.29 | - 62% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Shilling109 (€0.74) | €3.87 | - 81% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Shilling876 (€5.92) | €7 | - 21% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Shilling283 (€1.91) | €2.39 | - 20% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Shilling127 (€0.86) | €1.70 | - 49% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Shilling304 (€2.06) | €1.65 | + 25% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Shilling1,499 (€10) | €8 | + 21% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Shilling188 (€1.27) | €2.55 | - 50% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Shilling43 (€0.29) | €1.51 | - 81% | |
Housing | - 41% | |||
Housing in Kenya is 41% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
Kenya | Italy | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Shilling156,758 (€1,060) | €1,464 | - 28% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Shilling93,468 (€632) | €953 | - 34% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Shilling7,126 (€48) | €142 | - 66% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Shilling65,576 (€443) | €1,008 | - 56% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Shilling52,568 (€355) | €730 | - 51% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Shilling4,581 (€31) | €130 | - 76% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Shilling3,272 (€22) | €26 | - 14% | |
40” flat screen tv | Shilling36,351 (€246) | €295 | - 17% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Shilling16,041 (€108) | €140 | - 23% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Shilling991 (€7) | €8 | - 15% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Shilling550 (€3.72) | €11 | - 66% | |
Clothes | - 51% | |||
Clothes in Kenya is 51% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
Kenya | Italy | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Shilling6,708 (€45) | €84 | - 46% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Shilling2,827 (€19) | €45 | - 57% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Shilling8,950 (€61) | €102 | - 41% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Shilling7,335 (€50) | €120 | - 59% | |
Transportation | - 25% | |||
Transportation in Kenya is 25% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
Kenya | Italy | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Shilling2,538,990 (€17,165) | €28,913 | - 41% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Shilling180 (€1.22) | €1.78 | - 32% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Shilling4,746 (€32) | €39 | - 17% | |
Personal Care | - 69% | |||
Personal Care in Kenya is 69% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
Kenya | Italy | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Shilling303 (€2.05) | €9 | - 78% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Shilling414 (€2.80) | €15 | - 81% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Shilling2,204 (€15) | €106 | - 86% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Shilling1,000 (€7) | €5.64 | + 20% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Shilling250 (€1.69) | €3.89 | - 57% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Shilling300 (€2.03) | €3.54 | - 43% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Shilling201 (€1.36) | €1.97 | - 31% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Shilling161 (€1.09) | €1.80 | - 40% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Shilling738 (€4.99) | €20 | - 75% | |
Entertainment | - 39% | |||
Entertainment in Kenya is 39% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
Kenya | Italy | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Shilling2,541 (€17) | €41 | - 58% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Shilling1,871 (€13) | €18 | - 29% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Shilling2,518 (€17) | €91 | - 81% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Shilling4,892 (€33) | €64 | - 48% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Shilling749 (€5.06) | €9 | - 47% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Shilling374 (€2.53) | €2.56 | - 1% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Shilling330 (€2.23) | €5.37 | - 58% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Shilling80,000 (€541) | €677 | - 20% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Shilling4,740 (€32) | €51 | - 37% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Shilling296 (€2.00) | €5.83 | - 66% | |
TOTAL | - 42% |

These prices were last updated on June 19, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00676
EUR
/
KES
Cost of living in Kenya is 42% cheaper than in Italy
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