Cebu vs Mombasa: cost of living for digital nomads
Cebu, Philippines and Mombasa, 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
- Mombasa is about 3% cheaper than Cebu for a month of nomad living ($1,065 vs $1,100).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $420 in Mombasa against $450 in Cebu.
- Both score 6/10 on safety.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Cebu wins 1 of the measured lines; Mombasa wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Cebu or Mombasa?
Mombasa is cheaper: about $1,065/month against $1,100/month in Cebu, roughly 3% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Cebu or Mombasa?
Cebu and Mombasa score the same on safety, 6/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Cebu or Mombasa?
Cebu and Mombasa have about the same typical internet speed, 80 Mbps.
| Line | Cebu | Mombasa |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,100 | $1,065 |
| Rent | $450 | $420 |
| Food | $300 | $300 |
| Transport | $50 | $30 |
| Coworking | $100 | $75 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 80 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | island | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
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): Cebu November 4, 2026, Mombasa September 11, 2026.