Kenya · Africa
Nairobi
Costs last verified
Part of the Cost of Living Abroad guideMonthly cost
$1,300Estimate for a solo remote worker — verify current local prices.
Studying here? About $880/mo
Studying here? Reckon on roughly 35% less. Shared halls instead of a private flat is most of it, with a meal plan, a student travel pass and a campus you do not have to rent a desk in doing the rest. Phone, insurance and a social life cost the same either way.
At a glance
Healthcare, taxes & language
The decisive three for a longer stay in Kenya.
Healthcare
Public facilities are underfunded and often crowded, while private hospitals in Nairobi and Mombasa (e.g. Aga Khan, Nairobi Hospital) offer good standards used by most expatriates.
Taxes
Residents are taxed on Kenya-source income, so foreign investment and pension income is generally not taxed, but employment income earned abroad by a resident is taxable in Kenya.
English
High — English is an official language and the main medium of instruction, business and government, widely spoken in Nairobi, Mombasa and other urban areas.
Getting in — Kenya
Full Kenya guideTop visa routes, ranked by route score — stay, ease and speed.
Student Pass
Length of the course, renewable
Digital Nomad Work Permit
1 year, renewable
Similar places in Africa
Comparable cost, same part of the world. Compare side by side →
Nairobi at a glance
Nairobi, Kenya costs about $1,300 USD a month for a solo remote worker, with rent at 45% of that budget. The biggest budget line is rent at $580 and the smallest is transport at $50. In our data internet averages 40 Mbps and safety scores 6/10. Similar cities range from Sal at $1,245 a month to Johannesburg at $1,325.
Costs verified on November 9, 2026 (Eastern Time).
Questions about Nairobi
How much does it cost to live in Nairobi?
A solo remote worker in Nairobi, Kenya spends an estimated $1,300 USD/month on rent, food, transport and coworking, based on our cost-of-living breakdown.
How much is rent in Nairobi?
Rent in Nairobi is an estimated $580 USD/month in our cost-of-living breakdown.
How fast is the internet in Nairobi?
Internet in Nairobi averages 40 Mbps in our cost-of-living breakdown.
How much does coworking cost in Nairobi?
A coworking space in Nairobi costs an estimated $110 USD/month in our cost-of-living breakdown.
Is Nairobi safe?
Nairobi has a safety score of 6/10 in our cost-of-living breakdown.
What is Nairobi's nomad score?
Nairobi scores 7/10 on our nomad score, which weighs cost, safety and internet quality for remote workers.