Cairo vs Nairobi: cost of living for digital nomads
Cairo, Egypt 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
- Cairo is about 23% cheaper than Nairobi for a month of nomad living ($1,000 vs $1,300).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $420 in Cairo against $580 in Nairobi.
- Both score 6/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Cairo: 60 Mbps typical against 40 Mbps.
- Cairo is arid; Nairobi is temperate.
Cairo wins 6 of the measured lines; Nairobi wins 0.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Cairo or Nairobi?
Cairo is cheaper: about $1,000/month against $1,300/month in Nairobi, roughly 23% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Cairo or Nairobi?
Cairo and Nairobi score the same on safety, 6/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Cairo or Nairobi?
Cairo has faster typical internet: 60 Mbps against 40 Mbps in Nairobi.
| Line | Cairo | Nairobi |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,000 | $1,300 |
| Rent | $420 | $580 |
| Food | $300 | $360 |
| Transport | $35 | $50 |
| Coworking | $90 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 60 | 40 |
| Climate | arid | 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): Cairo November 7, 2026, Nairobi November 9, 2026.