Cebu vs Nairobi: cost of living for digital nomads
Cebu, Philippines 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
- Cebu is about 15% cheaper than Nairobi for a month of nomad living ($1,100 vs $1,300).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Cebu against $580 in Nairobi.
- Both score 6/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Cebu: 80 Mbps typical against 40 Mbps.
- Cebu is tropical; Nairobi is temperate.
Cebu wins 5 of the measured lines; Nairobi wins 0.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Cebu or Nairobi?
Cebu is cheaper: about $1,100/month against $1,300/month in Nairobi, roughly 15% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Cebu or Nairobi?
Cebu and Nairobi score the same on safety, 6/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Cebu or Nairobi?
Cebu has faster typical internet: 80 Mbps against 40 Mbps in Nairobi.
| Line | Cebu | Nairobi |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,100 | $1,300 |
| Rent | $450 | $580 |
| Food | $300 | $360 |
| Transport | $50 | $50 |
| Coworking | $100 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 40 |
| Climate | tropical | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | island | 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): Cebu November 4, 2026, Nairobi November 9, 2026.