Cost of living in Kenya compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | - 32% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Kenya is 32% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Kenya | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Shilling1,059 (¥1,083) | ¥998 | + 9% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Shilling882 (¥902) | ¥723 | + 25% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Shilling481 (¥492) | ¥544 | - 9% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Shilling142 (¥145) | ¥204 | - 29% | |
12 eggs, large | Shilling271 (¥277) | ¥323 | - 14% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Shilling100 (¥102) | ¥616 | - 83% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Shilling502 (¥514) | ¥934 | - 45% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Shilling198 (¥202) | ¥850 | - 76% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Shilling92 (¥94) | ¥535 | - 82% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Shilling242 (¥248) | ¥288 | - 14% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Shilling1,265 (¥1,294) | ¥1,240 | + 4% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Shilling201 (¥206) | ¥240 | - 14% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Shilling111 (¥113) | ¥202 | - 44% | |
Housing | - 29% | |||
Housing in Kenya is 29% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Kenya | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Shilling196,139 (¥200,625) | ¥279,056 | - 28% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Shilling128,896 (¥131,844) | ¥163,427 | - 19% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Shilling8,579 (¥8,775) | ¥23,363 | - 62% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Shilling97,620 (¥99,852) | ¥150,519 | - 34% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Shilling23,400 (¥23,935) | ¥81,210 | - 71% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Shilling8,455 (¥8,649) | ¥36,753 | - 76% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Shilling5,873 (¥6,007) | ¥4,386 | + 37% | |
40” flat screen tv | Shilling43,137 (¥44,123) | ¥49,710 | - 11% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Shilling23,937 (¥24,485) | ¥17,687 | + 38% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Shilling700 (¥716) | ¥1,118 | - 36% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥1,483 | - | |
Clothes | - 13% | |||
Clothes in Kenya is 13% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Kenya | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Shilling7,496 (¥7,667) | ¥6,145 | + 25% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Shilling2,759 (¥2,822) | ¥5,263 | - 46% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Shilling17,508 (¥17,908) | ¥9,604 | + 86% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Shilling8,255 (¥8,444) | ¥13,529 | - 38% | |
Transportation | - 34% | |||
Transportation in Kenya is 34% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Kenya | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Shilling1,786,980 (¥1,827,850) | ¥2,697,750 | - 32% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Shilling193 (¥197) | ¥170 | + 16% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Shilling5,266 (¥5,386) | ¥9,950 | - 46% | |
Personal Care | - 66% | |||
Personal Care in Kenya is 66% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Kenya | Japan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Shilling178 (¥182) | ¥2,154 | - 92% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Shilling320 (¥327) | ¥2,551 | - 87% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Shilling4,026 (¥4,118) | ¥5,499 | - 25% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Shilling333 (¥340) | ¥1,340 | - 75% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Shilling308 (¥316) | ¥842 | - 63% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Shilling439 (¥449) | ¥750 | - 40% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Shilling100 (¥102) | ¥225 | - 55% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Shilling122 (¥125) | ¥233 | - 46% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Shilling1,306 (¥1,336) | ¥3,812 | - 65% | |
Entertainment | - 52% | |||
Entertainment in Kenya is 52% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Kenya | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Shilling3,290 (¥3,365) | ¥4,064 | - 17% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Shilling1,744 (¥1,784) | ¥3,590 | - 50% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Shilling1,600 (¥1,637) | ¥4,524 | - 64% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Shilling5,898 (¥6,033) | ¥6,047 | - 0% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Shilling906 (¥927) | ¥896 | + 3% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Shilling329 (¥337) | ¥487 | - 31% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Shilling260 (¥266) | ¥585 | - 55% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Shilling26,546 (¥27,153) | ¥98,506 | - 72% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Shilling4.09 (¥4) | ¥52 | - 92% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Shilling6,759 (¥6,914) | ¥9,275 | - 25% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Shilling306 (¥313) | ¥587 | - 47% | |
TOTAL | - 37% |

These prices were last updated on October 01, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.023
JPY
/
KES
Cost of living in Kenya is 37% cheaper than in Japan
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