By Magdalene Wanja - Reporter
Kenya, January 06 2026 - As the world settles into the new year, Kenya continues to rank among the most expensive countries to live in, according to data from Numbeo, one of the world’s largest crowd-sourced cost-of-living databases.
The latest figures show that Kenya’s cost of living has risen by approximately four percent compared to the previous year, reflecting sustained increases across key household expenses. The platform compiles global data on a wide range of indicators, including living costs, housing prices, healthcare quality, transport systems, safety perceptions, and overall quality of life.
Early 2026 Numbeo-related data suggests that Kenya’s living costs remain on an upward trajectory, mirroring broader economic pressures being felt across the African continent. Within the East African region, Kenya now ranks seventh, with a cost-of-living index of 28.9, up from 28.2 in 2025.
At the continental level, Abidjan currently tops Africa’s cost-of-living rankings, with a cost-of-living index of 45.7, a rent index of 21.4, and a combined cost-of-living plus rent index of 34.6, according to Numbeo data cited by Africa Business Insider. Addis Ababa follows closely, posting a cost-of-living index of 42.7, a rent index of 21.3, and a combined index of 32.9. Groceries in Addis Ababa rank among the most expensive on the continent, with an index of 46.0, while restaurant prices stand at 24.1.
More from Kenya
Within East Africa, Kenya has become relatively more expensive than neighboring Tanzania and Rwanda, marking a notable shift from 2025 when price differences across the region were less pronounced.
The trend has mainly been attributed to the rising cost of living to several factors, including inflation, higher fuel and transport costs, increased demand for housing in urban centers, and currency pressures. These factors have directly impacted the prices of food, rent, and essential services, placing additional strain on household budgets.
As households and policymakers navigate 2026, these developments raise growing concerns about affordability, wage growth, and economic resilience, particularly in cities where living costs continue to rise faster than incomes.
