Austin vs Nairobi: cost of living for digital nomads
Austin, United States and Nairobi, Kenya, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Nairobi is about 56% cheaper than Austin for a month of nomad living ($1,300 vs $2,950).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $580 in Nairobi against $1,500 in Austin.
- Austin scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Austin: 250 Mbps typical against 40 Mbps.
- Both have a temperate climate.
Austin wins 2 of the measured lines; Nairobi wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Austin or Nairobi?
Nairobi is cheaper: about $1,300/month against $2,950/month in Austin, roughly 56% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Austin or Nairobi?
Austin scores higher on safety: 7/10 against 6/10 for Nairobi.
Which has faster internet, Austin or Nairobi?
Austin has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 40 Mbps in Nairobi.
| Line | Austin | Nairobi |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,950 | $1,300 |
| Rent | $1,500 | $580 |
| Food | $620 | $360 |
| Transport | $90 | $50 |
| Coworking | $200 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 250 | 40 |
| Climate | temperate | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
Compare Nairobi with
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Austin September 11, 2026, Nairobi November 9, 2026.