Cost of living in Nairobi (Kenya) is 77% more expensive than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in Addis Ababa or in Nairobi? You can help!
Improve the prices for Addis Ababa! Improve the prices for Nairobi!
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 454 prices entered by 41 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | + 35% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Nairobi (Kenya) is 35% more expensive than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Addis Ababa | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Shilling701 (720 Birr) | 728 Birr | - 1% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Shilling794 (815 Birr) | 926 Birr | - 12% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Shilling445 (457 Birr) | 414 Birr | + 11% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Shilling133 (137 Birr) | 94 Birr | + 45% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Shilling226 (232 Birr) | 187 Birr | + 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Shilling96 (98 Birr) | 68 Birr | + 45% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Shilling865 (889 Birr) | 350 Birr | + 154% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Shilling282 (290 Birr) | 353 Birr | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Shilling127 (130 Birr) | 33 Birr | + 290% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Shilling292 (300 Birr) | 55 Birr | + 448% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Shilling1,652 (1,697 Birr) | 582 Birr | + 192% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Shilling187 (192 Birr) | 90 Birr | + 113% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Shilling43 (45 Birr) | 53 Birr | - 15% | |
| Housing | + 118% | |||
| Housing in Nairobi (Kenya) is 118% more expensive than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Addis Ababa | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Shilling183,611 (188,602 Birr) | 79,776 Birr | + 136% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Shilling103,432 (106,243 Birr) | 48,189 Birr | + 120% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Shilling7,580 (7,786 Birr) | 2,530 Birr | + 208% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Shilling65,217 (66,989 Birr) | 44,540 Birr | + 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Shilling51,769 (53,176 Birr) | 26,475 Birr | + 101% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Shilling4,543 (4,666 Birr) | 4,150 Birr | + 12% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Shilling3,526 (3,622 Birr) | 961 Birr | + 277% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Shilling36,012 (36,991 Birr) | 43,688 Birr | - 15% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Shilling14,451 (14,843 Birr) | 9,193 Birr | + 61% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Shilling705 (724 Birr) | 282 Birr | + 157% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Shilling510 (524 Birr) | 275 Birr | + 91% | |
| Clothes | + 97% | |||
| Clothes in Nairobi (Kenya) is 97% more expensive than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Addis Ababa | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Shilling2,655 (2,727 Birr) | 2,355 Birr | + 16% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Shilling3,661 (3,760 Birr) | 1,667 Birr | + 126% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Shilling9,384 (9,639 Birr) | 3,703 Birr | + 160% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Shilling8,210 (8,433 Birr) | 3,836 Birr | + 120% | |
| Transportation | + 151% | |||
| Transportation in Nairobi (Kenya) is 151% more expensive than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Addis Ababa | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Shilling2,492,120 (2,559,857 Birr) | 1,911,310 Birr | + 34% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Shilling180 (185 Birr) | 81 Birr | + 129% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Shilling4,540 (4,664 Birr) | 1,280 Birr | + 264% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Shilling1,816 (1,865 Birr) | 551 Birr | + 239% | |
| Personal Care | + 15% | |||
| Personal Care in Nairobi (Kenya) is 15% more expensive than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Addis Ababa | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Shilling291 (299 Birr) | 320 Birr | - 7% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Shilling986 (1,012 Birr) | 1,734 Birr | - 42% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Shilling2,131 (2,189 Birr) | 1,508 Birr | + 45% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Shilling344 (354 Birr) | 116 Birr | + 205% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Shilling313 (322 Birr) | 295 Birr | + 9% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Shilling482 (495 Birr) | 153 Birr | + 223% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Shilling158 (162 Birr) | 62 Birr | + 162% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Shilling147 (151 Birr) | 88 Birr | + 72% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Shilling786 (808 Birr) | 338 Birr | + 139% | |
| Entertainment | + 15% | |||
| Entertainment in Nairobi (Kenya) is 15% more expensive than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Addis Ababa | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Shilling2,475 (2,543 Birr) | 1,527 Birr | + 67% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Shilling1,856 (1,907 Birr) | 217 Birr | + 781% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Shilling2,912 (2,991 Birr) | 5,498 Birr | - 46% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Shilling4,871 (5,004 Birr) | 2,618 Birr | + 91% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Shilling827 (849 Birr) | 175 Birr | + 384% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Shilling366 (376 Birr) | 1,760 Birr | - 79% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Shilling320 (329 Birr) | 93 Birr | + 253% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Shilling51,227 (52,620 Birr) | 29,628 Birr | + 78% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Shilling4.44 (4.56 Birr) | 20 Birr | - 77% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Shilling6,664 (6,845 Birr) | 2,222 Birr | + 208% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Shilling314 (323 Birr) | 310 Birr | + 4% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 77% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 454 prices entered by 41 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.027
ETB
/
KES
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in San Francisco, California is 32% more expensive than in Oslo
- Cost of living in Berlin is 6% cheaper than in Birmingham
- Cost of living in Santiago, Chile is 16% more expensive than in Lima
- Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain is 21% more expensive than in Vigo
- Cost of living in London is 98% more expensive than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 17% cheaper than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur is 6% more expensive than in Johor Bahru
- Cost of living in Mexico City is 35% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in New York City is 277% more expensive than in São Paulo
- Cost of living in New York City is 53% more expensive than in Singapore
Compare other countries
For example, you would need at least 459,742 Birr (Shilling447,576) in Nairobi to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 260,000 Birr in Addis Ababa.
Do you live in Addis Ababa? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Johannesburg (South Africa)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Kyiv (Ukraine)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Nairobi (Kenya)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Madrid (Spain)
Prices recently added
- Monthly rent - 900 sqft furnished accommodation in expensive area in Tucson, Arizona costs $1,677 (25 minutes ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Cairns costs AU$35 (40 minutes ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in São Paulo costs R$ 3,500 (about 2 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Uberlandia costs R$ 40 (about 2 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 900 sqft furnished accommodation in expensive area in Maui costs $1,017 (about 6 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Buenos Aires costs ARS $2,000,000 (about 7 hours ago)