Cost of living in Nairobi (Kenya) is 8% cheaper than in Cape Town (South Africa)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 693 prices entered by 75 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 12% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Nairobi (Kenya) is 12% cheaper than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Shilling985 (R 120) | R 171 | - 30% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Shilling812 (R 99) | R 89 | + 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Shilling446 (R 54) | R 52 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Shilling154 (R 19) | R 19 | - 0% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Shilling284 (R 34) | R 55 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Shilling116 (R 14) | R 25 | - 43% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Shilling861 (R 105) | R 81 | + 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Shilling323 (R 39) | R 28 | + 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Shilling115 (R 14) | R 27 | - 49% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Shilling188 (R 23) | R 23 | - 1% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Shilling1,537 (R 187) | R 104 | + 79% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Shilling187 (R 23) | R 25 | - 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Shilling106 (R 13) | R 18 | - 27% | |
| Housing | + 2% | |||
| Housing in Nairobi (Kenya) is about the same as in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Shilling193,205 (R 23,473) | R 22,683 | + 3% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Shilling99,181 (R 12,050) | R 11,760 | + 2% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Shilling11,826 (R 1,437) | R 1,130 | + 27% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Shilling91,253 (R 11,087) | R 12,490 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Shilling23,400 (R 2,843) | R 8,192 | - 65% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Shilling5,551 (R 674) | R 714 | - 6% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Shilling5,873 (R 714) | R 494 | + 45% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Shilling43,448 (R 5,279) | R 5,388 | - 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Shilling10,014 (R 1,217) | R 1,974 | - 38% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Shilling985 (R 120) | R 115 | + 4% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Shilling1,031 (R 125) | R 63 | + 99% | |
| Clothes | - 42% | |||
| Clothes in Nairobi (Kenya) is 42% cheaper than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Shilling6,111 (R 742) | R 911 | - 18% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Shilling2,759 (R 335) | R 821 | - 59% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Shilling11,475 (R 1,394) | R 1,793 | - 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Shilling6,621 (R 804) | R 1,077 | - 25% | |
| Transportation | + 2% | |||
| Transportation in Nairobi (Kenya) is about the same as in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Shilling2,309,110 (R 280,543) | R 399,668 | - 30% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Shilling193 (R 23) | R 23 | + 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Shilling5,178 (R 629) | R 543 | + 16% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Shilling1,501 (R 182) | R 162 | + 13% | |
| Personal Care | - 29% | |||
| Personal Care in Nairobi (Kenya) is 29% cheaper than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Shilling276 (R 34) | R 80 | - 58% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Shilling1,324 (R 161) | R 261 | - 38% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Shilling3,302 (R 401) | R 631 | - 36% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Shilling351 (R 43) | R 65 | - 34% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Shilling366 (R 44) | R 31 | + 43% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Shilling493 (R 60) | R 59 | + 2% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Shilling116 (R 14) | R 43 | - 67% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Shilling157 (R 19) | R 26 | - 27% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Shilling1,093 (R 133) | R 214 | - 38% | |
| Entertainment | - 17% | |||
| Entertainment in Nairobi (Kenya) is 17% cheaper than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Shilling3,930 (R 478) | R 354 | + 35% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Shilling1,610 (R 196) | R 225 | - 13% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Shilling2,560 (R 311) | R 941 | - 67% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Shilling5,952 (R 723) | R 630 | + 15% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Shilling959 (R 116) | R 72 | + 62% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Shilling239 (R 29) | R 39 | - 25% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Shilling260 (R 32) | R 39 | - 20% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Shilling45,453 (R 5,522) | R 9,964 | - 45% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Shilling4.09 (R 0.50) | R 1.58 | - 69% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Shilling5,386 (R 654) | R 792 | - 17% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Shilling306 (R 37) | R 59 | - 37% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 8% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 693 prices entered by 75 different people.
These prices were last updated on November 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.12149
ZAR
/
KES
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require R 69,000 in Cape Town you would need to make just about R 63,311 (Shilling521,101) in Nairobi.
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