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.