Dakar vs Nairobi: cost of living for digital nomads
Dakar, Senegal 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
- Dakar and Nairobi cost about the same per month ($1,300).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $550 in Dakar against $580 in Nairobi.
- Both score 6/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Dakar: 80 Mbps typical against 40 Mbps.
- Dakar is arid; Nairobi is temperate.
Dakar wins 5 of the measured lines; Nairobi wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Dakar or Nairobi?
Dakar and Nairobi cost about the same per month for a remote worker, both around $1,300.
Which city is safer, Dakar or Nairobi?
Dakar and Nairobi score the same on safety, 6/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Dakar or Nairobi?
Dakar has faster typical internet: 80 Mbps against 40 Mbps in Nairobi.
| Line | Dakar | Nairobi |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,300 | $1,300 |
| Rent | $550 | $580 |
| Food | $350 | $360 |
| Transport | $35 | $50 |
| Coworking | $90 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 40 |
| Climate | arid | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 6/10 | 7/10 |
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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): Dakar September 11, 2026, Nairobi November 9, 2026.